Edible cake photos are made using a specialized "edible ink" printer that prints food-safe dyes onto a thin sheet of edible material, typically sugar.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
- Edible Ink Printer: This is a modified inkjet printer designed to use edible inks.
- Edible Inks: These inks are made from food-grade dyes that are safe to consume. Common ingredients include water, glycerol, and food colorings.
- Edible Paper: The "paper" is usually a very thin sheet of frosting or sugar (also known as sugar sheets or icing sheets) attached to a backing sheet (similar to how stickers are attached to a backing). The sugar sheet is made from ingredients such as starch, sugar, and stabilizers.
- Printing Process: The digital image is sent to the edible ink printer, which then sprays the edible inks onto the sugar sheet, creating the desired image.
- Application: Once printed, the sugar sheet is carefully peeled off its backing and laid onto the iced cake. The moisture from the icing helps the sugar sheet adhere to the cake surface.
In summary, edible cake photos use a combination of edible ink printers, food-safe dyes, and edible sheets to transfer a digital image onto a cake.
