I am making a record for a cake that is due tomorrow night. I cut it out last night (about 1/8" thick) and "painted" it last night with black food coloring gel. This morning it was still very pliable. I am worried because I still need to paint the back side of the record and it needs to be stiff so that it will stand up on top of the cake. Is there a way to shorten the drying time of gumpaste? I know it is pretty humid here right now (been raining for the past 2 days) and it is cool outside. Can I put it in the oven or use a blow dryer to expedite things?

Thanks

random question: do you have a food dehydrator? it will suck out the moisture. as far as oven, i've never done it, but someone else might chime in or you can search for it b/c i remember someone posting about it.

Put it on a bed of cornstarch under a desk lamp.

Next time I would dry the piece first then paint it after dry.

when i am working with g/p .. i use cornstarch.. then i sat whatever peices i make in front of a table fan.. works great for me.. hth

I think that having painted it before it's dry, you may have a long time to wait before it's dry. The gel/paste color acts like saran wrap and keeps the moisture in the gum paste longer.

I'd suggest re-making the record in dark grey or black gum paste and then drying it flat on a cookie sheet in your oven on the lowest setting --mine goes down to 170 degrees--for an hour, or so.

I do this quite often with flat items and it's worked very well. I'd allow it to cool completely and then paint it.

HTH
Rae