i've just put 2 new pics in my album one of spongebob and one of a teenage mutant ninja turtle. here's my problem. i use royal icing for flooding or runouts whichever is the right term. with cartoon characters the outline has to be done in black but i am finding them very weak at the black joins. they sometimes break while removing them from the waxed paper or if a little pressure is put on them when attaching them to the cake. i can't draw so i can't do them directly onto the cake so i copy them onto paper then 'trace' them with royal icing on waxed paper laid over the pic. my main turtle broke in several places on the black lines but i hope i managed to put him back together again. hope someone can tell me how to make this icing stronger.
Had a look at your turtle cake and I love your runouts. Unfortunately I have a very similiar problem to you so I thought I would give you a bump.
Panda
I love doing runouts! You may already know all of this, but here goes. Wilton colorflow mix is stronger than thinned royal. (I only use thinned royal, but it looks like you're doing larger pieces that would be more fragile.) Let the outline dry thoroughly when you are using a non-matching color to fill in. Pipe very closely to the outline so that the first flow line "bulges up" slightly next to the outline; fill in an ample amount since the flow will shrink when drying. Use parchment paper in stead of waxed paper. Be sure piece is completely hard and dry before attempting removal. To release the dried piece, set it next to the edge of your table or countertop. Hold the edge of the parchment paper and pull it off the table and down away from the flow piece. It will release very easily--and in fact may simply release on its own. Use a pancake turner to support it and transfer to your cake. HTH
I do lots of royal icing figures. Many are pictured in my gallery. I agree with ALMOST everything handymama suggests -- except -- pipe your figures onto plastic wrap and they will virtually fall off when they're dry. I used wax paper for the longest time and will never go back since discovering plastic wrap. Haven't lost a piece since!
Some other suggestions: Do not use anything smaller than tip 2 for outlining. Also, don't use anything larger than tip 2 for filling in. This helps eliminate pesky air bubbles.
Only use freshly made royal icing for run-in figures. Rebeaten royal is too fragile and weak.
Trivia du jour: Wilton invented their colorflow mix so they could sell a product along with the run-in sugar lesson. No reason to waste your money. Make royal icing with meringue powder and your pieces will actually be edible!
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