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Step 1 |
Inspect your Edible Picture |
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Make sure it’s correct and check to see if it is easy to
remove from the backing sheet (see Step 4) – if required
plan ahead and allow adequate time to remove it. Consider
removing the edible picture in advance and re-sealing in its
zip lock bag so it is ready when you need it. |
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Step 2 |
Storing the Edible Picture |
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Keep it sealed in the zip lock bag until you are ready to
use it.
Keep it in a cool place, non humid place out of direct
sunlight.
Keep it flat and do not put anything on top of it.
Use within 3 months. |
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Step 3 |
Preparing the Cake |
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An edible picture can be applied to icing such as fondant,
sugar paste, royal icing, butter cream or glacé. It can be
any colour but lighter ones are better as the edible photo
is made from very thin icing.
If you have wet icing or a covering with high fat content
(such as butter or cream cheese) the thin icing of the
edible picture is at risk of absorbing moisture or fat.
Making a backing plaque from fondant or sugar paste will
prevent this. This should be about the same size and shape
as your edible picture. Place the edible picture on the
plaque and then place on your cake top. Alternatively you
should apply the edible picture just before serving the cake
to minimize the time available for absorption to occur.
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The effect of too much absorption can be blurring and in the
case of dark colours (particularly black) it can alter their
colour as the moisture or fat causes the constituent colour
pigments to separate out (as in chromatography). Edible inks
are not as stable as conventional inks. |
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Step 4 |
Remove the Edible Picture from Backing Sheet |
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Bend back the backing sheet at the corners (or edge if a
circle) to find a starting place. When the edible picture
begins to lift, slowly peel the backing sheet away
from the edible picture, the edible picture should fall away
- never grip or pull the edible picture from the backing
sheet. If you cannot release the edible picture at the
corners or edges, or if it fails to fall away after you have
started peeling - it means the edible picture is too moist.
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Under no circumstances try and force the edible picture –
for example do not try and lift the edge with a knife or try
and pull the icing away from the backing sheet – it will
almost certainly tear or break.
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The moisture in the edible picture keeps it attached to the
backing sheet during printing and handling.
Too much moisture can be due to the icing being very new or
high humidity in the room. Images with large blocks of
colour can also be moist due to the large amount of ink
used.
Use the methods below in sequence to reduce the moisture
content and remove the edible picture.
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Passive Method |
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Leave to stand in a non humid environment (humidity will
increase the moisture content). Check every 30 minutes to
see if the backing sheet will peel off. Do not leave
overnight to dry out excessively.
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Warming Method 1 |
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Place on a flat surface and use a hair dryer/heat gun on a
warm setting. Keep it at a minimum distance of 15cm/6” and
always keep it moving in order to ensure even drying.
Focusing on one point runs the risk of excessive drying and
cracking. Stop and try to peel the backing sheet frequently.
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Warming Method 2 |
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Place on a warm baking tray in a warm (not hot) oven for 2
minutes, remove then try and peel backing sheet. Repeat for
30 second periods. Do not leave unattended. Do not over heat
as it will cause the edible picture to shrivel.
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Friction Method |
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Hold each end of the backing sheet gripping as much width of
the sheet as possible – place it over a rounded edge
of a table or work top – and pull it down and then pull it
up rapidly (think of shining a pair of shoes). Don’t worry
about damaging the edible picture as it is quite flexible
when moist. When you see an edge lift away stop and peel off
the backing (be prepared for some discs to fall off quite
quickly).
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Freezing Method (recommended for experienced users) |
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Put the edible picture in the freezer ensuring that it
does not get moisture on it. After 30 seconds remove and
try peeling the backing sheet away.
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Do not dry out excessively – stop and check the edible photo
frequently – excessive drying will cause the edible photo to
crack.
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