Highly triboluminescent and strongly adherent ZnS films doped with Mn (ZnS:Mn) were fabricated on glass substrates by ion-plating and a post-plating heat treatment in a vacuum-sealed quartz glass tube. A crystalline ZnS:Mn film was prepared from a high-crystallinity ZnS:Mn pellet by ion-plating. The crystallinity and the friction-induced photon-emitting capability (triboluminescence) of the films were greatly enhanced by a post annealing in vacuum-sealed quartz glass tube. Of greater interest, we found that this annealing treatment strengthened the bond to the glass substrate together with enhancing the endurance to friction, which greatly enhanced its practicability to act as a stress/friction sensor for various applications.