Decorations can turn an ordinary cake or cookies into a striking piece of art and at the same time they can be used as a personalized gift that has an impact on the person or the events celebrated. To create these impressive designs, two varieties of edible paper can be used- Wafer Paper also known as Rice Paper and Frosting Sheets or Icing Sheets.
Wafer Sheets are basically starch-based paper and are cheaper than frosting sheets. For printing edible images, you will want to use white flexible form of wafer paper. Unfortunately, edible images printed onto wafer paper are not as high quality as those printed on top of frosting sheets, thus making it less appropriate for photo cakes. However, wafer paper is ideal for printing things such as vegetation,wings, flowers and butterflies. This particular paper dissolves in water not frosting, so it does not dissolve into the surface of your iced cake. Consequently, rice paper could be much noticeable when cutting the cake.
Frosting paper, on the other hand, is not really paper, but slender layers of frosting which are pressed onto a versatile plastic backing. These are the preferred form of “edible papers” for using it on top of cakes. Edible images printed onto frosting sheets will be more impressive and have more vivacious color than those in print on wafer paper. This type of edible paper also add to the iced surface of the cake absorbing the taste, color and occasionally even the thickness of whatever is underneath. This is why butter cream is the ideal frosting for using with frosting sheets. Generally, these are available in numerous shapes and sizes and can also be cut to desired shapes and sizes.
Disclaimer: The information in this article does not represent any particular company’s opinions or suggestions. Edible ink printing should follow the instructions of the manufacturer from whom you buy your edible ink supplies, and it should be noted that the mixing of edible inks and regular inks should not be done.