The formation behavior of $YBa_2Cu_3O_{7-x}$(Y123) and CuO phases in the heat-treated Cu-sheathed YBCO thick films was studied. The thick films were prepared by screen-printing method using $BaCO_3$ and Y211 powders on Cu tapes. The screen-printed thick films were placed at the center of the tube furnace, heated to $930^{circ}C$ in air atmosphere and then maintained at the temperature for 60 sec - 300 sec. The microstructure and phases formed in the thick films were investigated by using optical microscope, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and SEM image analysis. During the heat treatment, partial melting occurred rapidly in the printed layers by peritectic reaction between CuO and precursor powders, and then YBCO superconducting phases nucleated from the Cu tapes and grew in a form of thick films.