Printed Icing Sheets vs Wafer Paper
If you want to be a pro baker – or at least transition from being an amateur – you will need to have a grasp on all the different cake ingredients and materials you can use. If you are interested in making custom cakes with print finishes and edible toppers, these ingredients include printed icing sheets and wafer paper. These are two similar materials that give your cakes a unique look while being 100% edible. The question is, what makes them different, and which type should you be using? Learn everything you need to know about both printed icing sheets and wafer papers right here.
What Are Printed Icing Sheets?
Let’s start with printed icing sheets. Printed icing sheets are thin sheets that typically come in A4 size that you can print onto. As the name suggests, they are made of icing and are 100% edible, often tasting quite sweet and adding an extra texture to a cake as well as decoration. These sheets are made from a range of ingredients, including sugar, modified starches, artificial flavours, and preservatives, and the result is an easy-to-use edible paper that you can feed through your edible printer to create something unique for the top of a cake. It is easy to use and sturdy, and the final finish looks fantastic.
What is Wafer Paper?
Wafer paper is also used for cake decoration. Like printed icing sheets, it comes in A4 sheets that are edible and can be printed onto; however, wafer paper is a lot finer and made from more natural ingredients – in fact, only the three ingredients of potato starch, water, and sunflower oil are needed for this all-natural edible paper. While wafer paper comes in a range of thicknesses, they are all thin and result in a more faded appearance when compared to icing sheets – the colour is not quite as vivid. Regarding taste, wafer paper is used from minimal, natural ingredients and has practically no taste at all, so it can be used in both savoury and sweet baking projects.
Printed Icing Sheets vs Wafer Paper: The Key Differences
Are you still unsure of the distinct qualities of printed icing sheets vs wafer paper? Here are the key differences to be aware of when choosing between the two.
Plastic Backing Sheets: Icing sheets always come with a plastic backing sheet, whereas wafer paper does not come with this. This means the wafer paper can be directly placed into an edible printer without any fiddling with a backing.
Thickness: Printed icing sheets are much thicker than wafer paper. Wafer paper is very thin, which also means it’s delicate and requires a gentle hand.
Print Resolution: When comparing the two, printed icing sheets always provide a better print resolution compared to wafer paper. Wafer paper can lead to an image that looks a little faded, whereas printed icing sheets look vivid and bold with an overall better image quality, which is usually what bakers prefer.
Pliability: Icing sheets are much more pliable than icing sheets. Wafer paper is prone to breaking when bent, whereas icing sheets are designed to be more flexible, so you can bend them and curve them around the cake.
Taste: Printed icing sheets include sugar, whereas wafer paper does not. As a result, wafer paper has a minimal taste (in fact, it’s like nothing at all), whereas printed icing paper has a sweet taste that works well with cakes. Some people prefer wafer paper as it does not interfere with the flavours of the cake in any way.
Cost: Printed icing sheets are more expensive than wafer paper. The difference isn’t huge if you’re only buying a small pack of either one, but you will feel it if you want to buy in bulk.
Ease of Use: Generally, printed icing sheets are easier to use because of their thickness; plus, wafer paper is more likely to break when bent around a cake. Also, it’s worth noting that both types can be affected by humidity levels, although icing sheets will manage better.
Versatility: Wafer paper has a little more versatility compared to printed icing sheets, as it can be moulded into different shapes to suit your baking project.
Which One Should You Choose?
So, which one is right for you – wafer paper or printed icing sheets? There are a couple of things to consider, such as:
Budget: If you are running on a tight budget, wafer paper makes more sense as it is the cheaper option. This can make a significant difference if you bake a lot of cakes.
Preferred Image Quality: If you are aiming for a vivid, high-quality image, you are always better off opting for printed icing sheets, as the result will be a lot clearer. This is particularly effective if you’re printing a photograph.
Humidity: If you bake in an area with high humidity, you should choose printed icing sheets, as these will withstand the environment better. However, both can be affected by high humidity levels, so it is worth investing in a dehumidifier if you bake often.
Purpose: Overall, it’s best to think about your purpose before deciding between wafer paper or printed icing sheets. On the one hand, wafer paper is useful for more intricate designs but does not produce the high image quality that printed icing sheets do. It is about looking at your baking project and deciding which qualities you need from your edible paper.
In Summary
Printed icing sheets offer a robust type of edible paper that produces a high-quality image, making it perfect for photographs on top of cakes. Wafer paper is thinner but can be used for more delicate cake topping designs, although the image quality is not quite as vivid. Both have their advantages and can be a useful tool in any baker’s kitchen! When choosing between the two, it’s best to consider things like your environment, preferred outcome, and the type of cake you are baking. Both of these edible papers have their place.