Attempting My First Edible Image
Decorating By PurplePetunia Updated 22 Jun 2006 , 4:48pm by CAKES8832
I'm about to put my first edible image onto a cake this weekend and was wondering if anyone could give me any tips/advice or do's/don'ts about using the edible images.
Thanks! 
Keep the image cool and dry, like in a zip lock bag until ready to use.
Before you are ready to apply it to the cake, make sure the cake is freshly iced and smoothed. The image will not stick to a crusted buttercream. I often spray a mist of water on the surface of my iced cake before applying the image...just a very very light mist, not a lot. Take special care to not get any moisture on the image itself.
Make sure you carefully decide where to position the image, because it is difficult (if not impossible) to move it after it is on the cake. After the image is on the cake, I lay a Viva towel on the image and smooth across the surface from the center to the edge, to remove wrinkles and bubbles.
I usually need to do a border around the image to cover the edges of the image.
I hope this helps!
Good Luck! 
I did my first edible image recently. Keep it stores in a Ziploc bag away from light and heat until ready to use. Just before you are ready to put it on your cake, put it in freezer for 5 mins. Take it out and remove it from the sheet and then put it on your cake. I lightly smoothed it with my hand. It worked fine for me and came out fine.
I did my first edible image last night. Made a little boo boo. As sugarfrosted said you can mist your cake with water before you apply the image .....I forgot to do it before and I sprayed the image. You can see water spots in the photos. Lesson learned!!! At least this was just for my husband and not some paying customer.
Good luck! I thought they were easier than I had expected and lots of fun. I can't wait to do another one!!
Lots of good tips here already! Here are a few things I've learned...
If your frosting crusts before you're able to get the image on, just lay a moist paper towel over the surface to soften it back up. I don't freeze mine before removing them from the backing. That's a method some use to help remove the moist sheet from the backing. If your sheet doesn't peel easily, it just needs longer to dry. You can spead up the drying process with a blow dryer.
Using a really supportive cake board is also important especially if you're putting the image on a sheet cake. After the image melds into the frosting, any flexing will cause the image to wrinkle.
When you apply the image, lay it on the cake like you would a big sticker, from the middle outward smoothing as you go along. This prevents air pockets from becoming trapped under the sheet.
When you're ready to store your finished cake, don't put it in an airtight cake dome or wrap it too tightly with plastic wrap and leave it at room temp. This can cause the image to get really shiny and/or bubble. I store mine in a cake box and then I cover the cake box loosely with plastic wrap. I store the cake in the fridge in the warmer months.
HTH and good luck!
I've only done a couple of edible image cakes and had run into a problem with getting it off the backing. I think because I had it stored in a place that was a little too warm causing it to tear at the edges. Your tips are great I will be sure and use them the next time I do an edible image. Thanks everyone!
Great tips!! Thanks so much everyone!
I'll post on Saturday to let you know how it went.
Thanks again.
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