I was wondering which was better? and most cost effective, I make cakes for my home and close friends but, coloring the MMF is a pain in the butt and takes such a long time to get the right color, it seems like I'm kneading for ever especially if I want a dark color does any one have any suggestions thoughts on this matter?

Thanks, Ruth

you are right - it is easier to get the right colour with an airbrush especially the darker ones. then you have to balance that against the cost and mess (some people seem to get on better than others) of an air brush.
you could just buy coloured fondant!
(i believe when doing home made fondant there is a liquid stage - you are better to add your colour then, its easier to mix in. i buy mine, so may be entirely wrong!)
xx

When I make my MMF I add the color into the marshmellows before adding my first mount of PS. I did that for the blue and gold cake in my photos. I also allowed the MMF to sit overnight to really bloom the color.

hmm, well I really feel your pain with coloring fondant.. it's a beeatch for sure! but as to which is better I don't know. If you already own an airbrush and color, then maybe just airbrush it.. this would certainly be easier although the affect changes a bit.. there's a difference between blue fondant, and white fondant that's been airbrushed blue.. so it depends on the look you're trying to achieve i guess. I personally dont' own an airbrush.. I would LOVE to have one, but they're expensive...

I own an airbrush and I almost always airbrush my fondant (unless its for a small detail like a rope border, and then I colour it).

You can get darker colours much easier, you can customize your colours, you can use the shimmer airbrush colours to get an amazing finish, there are a ton of benefits. You have to be careful to put on light coats, and give it a bit of time to dry in between, but other than that it's easy peasy.

I own an airbrush and I almost always airbrush my fondant (unless its for a small detail like a rope border, and then I colour it).

You can get darker colours much easier, you can customize your colours, you can use the shimmer airbrush colours to get an amazing finish, there are a ton of benefits. You have to be careful to put on light coats, and give it a bit of time to dry in between, but other than that it's easy peasy.

OK, I just had a big "DUH" moment. lol. I didn't know you could add the color before it was done. I've been killin my wrists kneadin that crap into my mmf. I've even made the mmf a little softer tryin to save myself from the pain. Then there's the issue of coloring all over my hands. Wow, I love CC! lol.

Mr. masterbaker - Actually there are some really cheap airbrushes out there. DH got me one for Christmas. I think it was from TCP Global for less than $80. It's not super fancy, but I like it and it's perfect for someone like me who's just a homebaker and never touched an airbrush before in my life. lol. TCP Global also sells a lot of other useful stuff for cakers and artists.

I do both.Sometimes the color I get from the fondant isn't vibrant enough so I also airbrush it.

Thanks, guys for your replies your input as always is so helpful. By the way I tried adding the color to the marshmellows when it is in its liquid stage, right before I added to the sugar and what a difference that made, I used the liquid food coloring, mixed it in well and voila, it worked like a charm and I did not have to kill my self over it lol. Thanks for all the suggestion as always you guys ROCK!!!!