Tips for Using My New Kopykake?

My best advice is to just play with it. There is definitely a learning curve, both in getting images projected the right size and in focus, as well as pipping without getting your hand in the way. I sometimes hear about people who try their KK a few times and give up because they find it too difficult to use, so keep at it.

On a related note, I find it very useful to keep all my KK images and templates in a binder organized by cookie set/ design. It is so annoying spending a lot of time getting the perfect image only to misplace it later. 

A binder is a great idea. I actually made my own template today for a cookie I wanted to try with the KK, and I definitely want to save it. 

I tried the KK and I was able to trace from the template, but I didn't feel comfortable piping. I used a marker and traced it on to a sheet of paper a few times. It's definitely a bit difficult with my hand in the way but once I felt a bit more comfortable I used an edible marker and traced on to my cookie. Only then did I start piping. It will take some practice but I just love, love having the KK. I feel like it will allow me to do all kinds of new cookies that I otherwise wouldn't know where to start with.

I love my KK! I use it every opportuinity I get. I can't say I have had a hard time with it. Sometimes I get my hand in the way of the image, so before I start decorating I try to position the projector or myself in a way that I am least in the way. As far as getting the image the right size for the cookie..I have a copier at my full time job, that reduces and enlarges, so I make copies at different sizes and then take them home to see which one fits my cookie best. Sometimes I resize them on my computer in "Publisher", because it has a ruler on the side and I can get the image very close to the size I want. I will take a photo of the image and then resize that photo, then print it off. I am sure there are easier ways, but those are ways that I am familiar with and have found is quick for me. I usually pipe straight away, but there are times that I use the edible marker and draw the pattern on the cookie from the KK. I try to make sure the room is dark, but usually use a lamp that I can aim away from me and then aim back when I need it. I get the crispest image the darker it is. Here is a tutorial from "Sweetopia.net" Marian Poirier, http://sweetopia.net/2010/06/d...-kopykake-projector/. Lots of helpful information.

I agree with all that's been said, with the caveat that I'm not a big KK user (as I don't do any licensed characters or other designs). I'm with Jamie in that my hand getting in the way hasn't been as big a deal as sizing the images. I simply print out a bunch of images in different sizes (my printer is in my work area) and try them until I get the best fit on my cookie. I can usually get the fit right in 2 or 3 tries now, but - again - I don't use the KK that often. I imagine if I did, fitting would quickly become more second nature.

I also LOVE HLB's suggestion of a file. I've filed my images on my computer in the right size, but having printouts handy would be a boon too.

Good luck, Royal Icing Diaries!  Keep us posted.  I also got a KK for Christmas and can't wait to play with it.  I had a great time making paint cookies for the kids but it was hard doing it with royal icing transfers.  Hope to get good enough with the KK to make them more easily.  Thanks to the more experienced bakers for the tips!

Jamie - Yes, I came across Marian's post yesterday and it's fantastic. Very informative. Thanks for sharing that with everyone. 

The ever-so-talented Callye, of The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle, also did this post I found and it's great: 

http://www.sweetsugarbelle.com...-kopykake-projector/

OK, so yesterday I used three templates that I made of cheese. Yes, cheese. :-)

I have been wanting to try a "cheese and cracker platter" for my blog. Once I got the hang of tracing them (with the marker) using the KK made it so much easier to decorate them because it gave me the lines I needed and a bit of perspective. I am really not artistic at all so... I'm attaching pix. Not perfect but for my skill level I think they came out adorable, although you may have to use your imagination to know that the one is bleu cheese! Next I will attempt the crackers and some grapes, and, if I get brave enough, I want to try salami for my "platter"! 

I will say that I'm very slow at it. By the time I finish this platter and do my blog post the cookies will probably all be stale but that's OK because I am having a ball with the KK already.

Very Cool!  They look just like cheese :-)  Can't wait to see the whole platter when done!

Yes, thank you for the Sugarbelle information too! I am always interested in seeing everyones techniques and ideas. The more we get to use the KK, the more we enjoy it! Have fun and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

BTW, the cheese cookies look great!

Woo hoo! I finished the platter. Haven't posted these yet because now I need to start writing, but here's a picture. The cheeses I did with the KK and the rest I did "freehand". Notice the salami is hidden in the back! LOL...didn't come out so great but I am so proud of myself with the rest of the platter.

It looks great! When you're done, you should post it into the main clip feed on this site along with a link to your blog post. (Links should go in the first comment under the photo so they live link; they will not hyperlink if put in the title or caption.) I'm sure everyone would love to see it!

Thanks so much Julia. I'll do that as soon as I post them. These were my biggest feat to date.