Hey all! I need tips for making your writing straight. I was going to use a pattern press, but my cake is too small (8" square) as the letters in the press kit are too big.

What special tips do y'all have?

Someone said if you get your lettering printed and flip it.. You can go over it with piping gel and it gets hard so that you can press it onto your cake. It should work just like your pattern press.. GOOD LUCK

I use one of those battery operated laser levels that you buy at any hardware store...I don't think they are all that expensive. I borrowed dh out of his toolbox and oops! never put it back.

ok brian's baker.....print out letters on computer, reverse and go over with piping gel...then the piping gel will get hard?

LOL and you then press onto your cake and TADA you have something to trace over.. The impression of you letters..

cool, i'm going to try that right now!!!! Should it take very long for the piping gel to harden? Will refrigerating help?

No, the piping gel does not get hard. The point is to gently transfer the piping gel to your cake so you can then pipe over the gel with your buttercream icing.

Make sure your icing has crusted well before attempting this transfer.

Print your message in reverse (or just flip over your printed page so you will be piping the message in reverse).

Place a piece of parchment paper over your flipped/reverse image.

Load a bag with a few tablespoons of piping gel and a tip 2.

Trace your flipped/reverse message in piping gel, making sure to touch your tip down ONLY to start and stop your lines...keep that tip elevated to let the gel fall out in a nice 3D line. Do not overpipe. Keep each stroke of each letter separate.

Once piped, pick up your parchment paper, turn it over, and position your message over your cake where you want it.

Gently set the parchment down on the cake and GENTLY use a decorator's brush (small paintbrush) to trace the entire message. The point is to be gentle enough to transfer the gel to the icing but not smush it so it's just a smear of piping gel. You will be able to see when the gel has adhered to the icing.

Once the message is completely traced, pick a corner of the parchment paper up and carefully peel the paper off the icing.

Voila! Your message is now transferred onto your cake so you can pipe over it with buttercream icing. Your printing is perfect and no one is the wiser!

~ Sherri

I thought I read of someone making their own presses with royal icing. They print out the fonts, reverse, then put them on waxed paper or whatever is clear enough. You then press that down after it hardens just like the letter presses.

Kelly

I've got a ? Does the piping gel peel off and stay on the cake ordoes it stay on the paper?

I see,thanks for sharing ur experience.