Which Do You Prefer, Wafer Paper or Frosting Sheets?

What do you spray them with?

Can anyone recommend someone (an Etsy business, perhaps) who can print custom frosting sheet images for me?  I read good things here about The Cookie Pixie's shop on Etsy but it appears that she only prints on wafer paper. I have an order of 200 cookies to do but it still doesn't seem worth investing in a printer and edible inks since I rarely get requests for these kinds of edible images. Thanks in advance for your help!

Sugar Pixie Sweets - I am going to put your question in a new thread since it is a pretty different topic and is likely to get missed here. Will post the link here once it is set up. In the future, if you've got a new question, it's best just to start a new question if you don't already see the same one on the site. Let me know if you need any tips for doing this.

Ysabella's Treats - just saw your question about spraying frosting sheets. I find that if I just put them back in their re-sealable packages (that they come in), they stay flexible for a VERY long time. But I suppose if you needed to (the papers got very brittle from overexposure to air), you could mist with water or a mixture of water and vodka to avoid over-wetting the paper and pitting/dissolving it.

Sugar Pixie Sweets:  Here's the link to you new forum topic in the Resources/Suppliers area where it can also help others. http://cookieconnection.juliau...rint-frosting-sheets

 

Everyone, if you have a suggested supplier for her, please post it in the forum behind that link, not here/directly below. Thanks.

Thank you Julia!

You're welcome, SPS! Glad you made a connection in the other forum so quickly!

I just saw this so I am sorry for the tardy reply.  I simply am able to pick the rice paper up and place it on the cookie.  They don't get real fragile.

 

Thanks Donna - I actually did try it your way, but had a lot of trouble picking it up without getting "stuff" on the front.  I need a youtube to see how you do it!  Obviously I wasn't doing something right!  I appreciate the response.

Well, I thought I knew what I preferred. I had it in my head that wafer paper was the thick sheet that I sometimes see on cakes that is like eating a sheet of paper. Maybe that is rice paper? From what I am reading, wafer paper is a better choice in some ways. I have had success with Kopykake frosting sheets. Does wafer paper also come in 3" circles? I wouldn't want to cut circles to apply to cookies. 

Edible Canvas Creations - the number/qty/types of edible papers can be mind-boggling. I tried to demystify some of the differences/similarities in an Edible Papers 101 video that I just released to YouTube (below). In it, I talk about the different compositions and handling characteristics of wafer paper and frosting sheets, and the range of handling characteristics that you're likely to see even within frosting sheets. "Wafer paper," or at least the only type I've ever used, is made with potato not rice starch, whereas the starch in frosting sheets is usually either corn or tapioca. Frosting sheets - as a result of their composition - are more pliable and often, but not always, more opaque and heavy, but there are some pretty flimsy frosting sheets out there too. Anyway, I don't claim to do an exhaustive treatment of all edible papers in this video (I'm sure I've missed some), but it covers 90% of the terrain with which I'm familiar. Maybe it will help clarify some of the differences: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j74HlQ9ab5c

Also, wrt finding pre-cut wafer paper: you can find it pre-cut in circles but I haven't found it in this form in many other places than Queen or Tarts (and her rounds are only 2  to 2 1/2 inches wide, if not smaller); it usually comes in 8 x 10-inch or so sheets that you can cut to whatever size and shape you want. When I want perfect circles, I rely on craft paper punches - goes much faster and the look perfect.

 

Here's a Queen of Tarts link, as an example; they have some great vintage florals: https://www.etsy.com/listing/160982522/vintage-shabby-chic-roses-edible-image?ref=sr_gallery_8&ga_search_query=wafer+paper&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=wafer+paper

 

Though I think Fancy Flours has a broader year-round selection. 

If you don't mind sharing...where did you get the printer from? Thanking you in advance.

There's an entire forum on edible printers - which and where to buy - here: http://cookieconnection.juliau...printers-preferences

I like the wafer paper and I apply them to my cookies which I have covered with a thin layer of fondant. Apply the layer of fondant, let it set overnight, brush very lightly with corn syrup, apply the wafer paper, turn the cookie upside down on to parchment paper to dry flat for at least 30 minutes.  Then I use royal icing to make a pretty shell border.  Perfect every time.

BakerBabe26-Wished to see how this works(video/youtube)..Wafer paper is still new here. so would like to try out new ideas for cookie deco..

I have a video on YouTube about the difference between the various types of paper; and another one on how to make wafer paper flowers. If you want to check them out, here's the link to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/JuliaMUsher

Ladies,

I want to order wafer paper and do some work at home and try to start my own tiny business so do I need to be aware of the kind or thickness or any other details about wafer paper? I read all your notes and replies above.

Thanks in advance

You should experiment with various brands if you're planning to print your own. Some are more brittle than others; there are also new flavored wafer papers that actually taste halfway decent. But the sources I use are retail suppliers; you probably would want to purchase wholesale.

Thanks Julia,
Will try a couple and see how it goes, fingers crossed.
Have a good day