I have an in-depth post here on how to put an edible image on a cake. But what if you don’t have an edible image or edible prints for a cake? What if you don't have an edible image printer or time to order sugar sheets online? I have a technique you can use to put a non-edible picture on a cake!
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How to Put a Non-Edible Picture on a Cake
A few years ago I worked on this incredible groom's cake. I had planned to hand-cut the logos for the sports teams for each tier but quickly realized I would not be happy with the quality of the logos.
They were, quite simply, way too detailed and intricate for me to make by hand with any level of accuracy and elegance. The better option would be to use edible images for each logo.
Unfortunately, I didn't own an edible image printer at the time, nor did I know anyone local who did. Also, there was no time to order one online which is what I usually did (way ahead of time). Remember I live in rural Mississippi... my options are always limited.
What if you don’t have an Edible Image or Edible Prints for a Cake?
While I currently use edible sheets, this is the technique I used instead when in a pinch. I've done it a few times since then (before getting my edible image printer).
How to Print & Use a Non Edible Picture on a Cake
- Print a high-quality image, such as a photo of the person or the logo for the cake, using a regular home printer (like an inkjet printer) on standard paper. Do not use card stock or any special paper - regular printer paper is fine.
- Cut out the image to the shape you want on the cake,
- Next, roll out white fondant or gumpaste. You want it pretty thin, so it's not heavy or bulky on the cake. But not so thin that it'll tear when moved. Approximately 2mm should be a good thickness.
- Place the pre-cut image on the fondant , and using a sharp knife or Xacto knife, cut the fondant to match the shape of the image.
- Remove the image and apply corn syrup, edible glue, or a thin layer of shortening lightly with a brush on the fondant. Avoid using water. Dab the glue in necessary areas, like the edges and middle, and remove any excess.
- Carefully position the printed image on the fondant and smooth it out.
These are the exact steps I took to apply each logo on each tier of the Sports Groom's Cakes above.
For the final Sports Themed Groom's Cake below, it was a combination of hand-cut fondant and printed logos.
Notify Your Clients!
In each of these situations, I told the clients to remove the logos from the cakes (along with their fondant backing) before serving them to their guests because the logos were not edible.
Make that clear to your clients if you choose this method.
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Kathy Gocke
Rose, I love this idea. I’m going to give it a try. It would solve a lot of image problems in the future.
Rose Atwater
For sure!