what are the steps to icing a character pan?

Your pan should've came with instructions, which are usually just using the star tips (16-20). If you do not have instructions, you can search your pan at wilton.com and print them up. Hope this helps!

for me, its crumb coat, outline the different sections w/ the appropriate color, then fill in w/ stars or whatever tip is needed and finish with a matching border. simple, i know...but has always worked for me! i have a pic posted of a dog done in this matter.

You generally outline any areas that need outlining, then fill in with stars. The directions are included with the pans when you buy them.

I love character pans! Well except for Bob the Builder. What I do is outline everything and then use the star tip in the appropriate color. And I usually outline again. Instead of doing the sides of the cake in white, I usually continue on the sides with the star tip in appropriate color. I have a picture of the smurf & smurfette cake in my photos

Thin layer of icing, let crust, then press the pan gently into it. When you lift up, the lines are dented into your crumb coat. Just follow the lines.