Tips on Storing, Handling and Applying your Edible Images
Your edible image is printed with edible ink on a real layer of icing. The icing sheet is attached to one plastic backing sheet, which must be removed before applying the image to your frosted treat. Once the plastic backing is removed, the image is ready to use.
Storage
Keep your frosting sheet sealed in the zip-lock bag it comes in until you are ready to use it. Store it flat at room temperature, on a shelf, and away from direct sunlight. Frosting sheets have a shelf life of approximately 24 months when stored properly. Do NOT refrigerate or freeze the unused frosting sheet. Cold temperatures can dry out the sheet and cause cracking or breaking.
Cutting Your Image
Edible images are not precut. Each image will have a black cutting line around it so you can easily cut or trim it to size. You may also trim off any white borders if desired.
Use clean, dry scissors to cut or trim the frosting sheet before removing the plastic backing sheet.
If your frosting sheet is cold due to winter weather, keep it sealed in the plastic bag and allow it to warm to room temperature before cutting. Cold frosting sheets can become brittle and may crack or break.
If Your Frosting Sheet Becomes Brittle
If your frosting sheet feels brittle or difficult to work with, try one of the following methods to help soften it before cutting or applying:
Airtight Hydration — Best Method
Place the frosting sheet inside a sealed bag with a slightly damp paper towel placed behind the plastic backing sheet. Do not allow the damp paper towel to touch the icing side. Let it sit sealed for 12–24 hours to allow the sheet to soften.
Steam Treatment
Carefully hold the icing sheet over a pot of steaming water for just a few seconds. The moisture can help make the sheet more pliable. Do not let the sheet get wet.
Fine Mist Method
Lightly mist the plastic backing side only with water using a fine mist spray bottle. Place the sheet back into a sealed bag and allow the moisture to absorb.
Piping Gel
Apply a very thin layer of piping gel to the back of the sheet to add moisture and help improve adhesion to the cake.
When to Apply
For buttercream or other firm frostings, the edible image may be applied at your convenience, but no more than 48 hours before your event.
If your frosting is very moist, the image may fade or bleed over time. If you are concerned about fading, apply the image within 1 hour of the event.
How to Apply
Do NOT allow water to touch the edible image before or after it is placed on the cake. Water can melt the sheet and ruin the print.
Make sure your hands are clean and dry before handling the image.
Your frosting should be fresh and slightly moist. If the frosting is dry or has formed a crust, lightly mist the frosting only — not the image — before applying. If your treat already has a moist surface, do not add extra moisture. Too much moisture may cause the colors to run or the image to melt.
Edible images will not melt properly into frosting that is too dry.
Before applying, plan exactly where you want the image placed. Once the image touches the frosting, it cannot be moved.
Gently peel the icing image away from the plastic backing sheet. It should peel off easily. If it does not, pull the backing sheet over the sharp edge of a table to help loosen it. Do not pull on the image itself, as it may tear.
Hold the image by the edges and gently place it onto your frosted treat, applying from the center outward. Smooth gently and make sure the edges are touching the frosting.
If bubbles appear after application, gently tap the image. Do not rub it. The image may take 20–30 minutes or longer to melt into the frosting, depending on the type of frosting used. Avoid touching the image, as fingerprints may show. You may add a piped border or other decorations around the edges to finish the look.
Air Bubbles
After the image is applied, allow the finished treat to sit at room temperature for a short time. This may help bring out any air bubbles.
For noticeable bubbles, use a small straight pin to gently poke the bubble, then carefully smooth it out. Use only a tiny poke to avoid wrinkling or damaging the image.
Once the image is applied to the finished treat, the treat may be refrigerated to keep the image moist and help prevent cracking until serving. Avoid long exposure to ultraviolet lighting.
As with any food coloring, the image may fade over time.
Tips for Different Frostings and Treats
These are thicker premium frosting sheets and may be applied to any color frosting. If you are concerned that a dark frosting color may show through, you can place the image on a thin piece of fondant first, then apply it to your frosted treat.
Buttercream Frosting
Apply the image right after icing the cake. Buttercream can form a crust after 15–30 minutes. If a crust has formed, lightly mist the buttercream with sugar water or brush a thin layer of corn syrup where the image will be placed.
Whipped Topping
Do not add extra moisture. Because whipped cream has a high water content, apply the edible image as close to serving time as possible. High-moisture frostings may cause bleeding or fading. To help prevent this, you may add a thin layer of buttercream where the image will be placed.
Ice Cream Cake
If applying to an ice cream cake iced with non-dairy whipped topping, do not add extra water.
If applying directly to ice cream, allow the ice cream to sweat slightly or lightly mist with milk before applying the image.
For soft-serve ice cream, apply the image while the ice cream is soft, then freeze.
If bubbles appear after application or during freezing, gently tap the image. Do not rub. If the decorated cake is frozen, thaw slowly, preferably in the refrigerator. The image may fade over time, as with any food coloring.
Sugar Paste or Fondant
Use a small brush to apply water only where the image will be placed. Water outside the image area may leave marks on the fondant, although they may dry back to normal.
Royal Icing
It is best to apply the image immediately after icing, before the royal icing hardens. If the icing has already hardened, lightly mist the royal icing with water before applying the image.
Poured Chocolate or Ganache
Pour the icing over the treat, then apply the image while the icing is still wet. Let the image set before moving.
Regular or Store-Bought Frosting
If using store-bought frosting or frosting that has been refrigerated, let it soften and blend it in a bowl until smooth and creamy. You may need to lightly mist the frosting with sugar water before applying the image.
Frozen Cakes
Thaw the cake slightly before icing to help prevent cracking, then apply the image. If the decorated cake is frozen, thaw slowly in the refrigerator, uncovered, to help prevent sweating and color bleeding.
Cookies
Edible images can be applied to cookies using regular icing, frosting, royal icing, or corn syrup thinned with a small amount of water.
Oreo Cookies
Brush the cookie with corn syrup thinned with a small amount of water, then place the edible image on top.
Hard Candy Lollipops
Lightly coat the lollipop with corn syrup thinned with a small amount of water, then apply the image.
Chocolate
Use corn syrup thinned with a small amount of water, or gently warm the chocolate with a hair dryer for about 20 seconds before applying the edible image.
Helpful Tips
- Frosting should not be dry or crusted before applying the image.
- The edible image will not melt properly into frosting that is too dry.
- Do not refrigerate the image until it has been applied to a frosted treat.
- The icing sheet may have no flavor or a slight vanilla flavor.
- Handle the image gently and with clean, dry hands.
