NEEDED TO START PRINTING EDIBLE PICTURES

HOME | PRINTER SETTINGSKOPYJET PRODUCTS | PHOTO CAKES ...see all you can do!

Choosing the right printer is very important. Don't make an
expensive mistake, see what we've learned, below.....
.
If you chose to purchase a different printer to those we recommend please recognize
that Sugarcraft does not know if our product will work with it or not.
.
If the printer you chose has a print head that uses cartridges such as those shown above then it is likely to be compatible but we do not know, should you have any problems. Canon constantly release new printers.


Your printer isn't listed?
New printer models come out almost monthly. This is going to be something you must research.
.
* To determine what  printer can be used, go to the office supply store and look on the printer ink boxes to see if it  also fits:
(For Cannon) must also fit the 9000 series of printers.
(For Epson)  must also fit the Epson C88+ of printers.
I  prefer Epson printers, to Cannon printers because the head is on the cartridge and cheaper to run.
(On 6/15/07) no one makes the wide printer. Cannon i9100 was a good one but no longer found anyplace. You should check often and maybe they will have a new model soon.
.
You should research this BEFORE you buy the printer!
.
MUST HAVE TO START:
*highlighted links take you directly to products needed.
*This is 'just' a printer...like others you use with your computer. The difference is that the cartridges are filled with food coloring instead of ink.
  1. PRINTER...where Cannon (or now Epson also) printers are sold, or directly their website...see below.
  2. FOOD COLORING-FILLED CARTRIDGES SOLD AT http://www.sugarcraft.com
  3. EDIBLE FROSTING SHEETS OF CHOICE SIZES
  4. I recommend that you get our software PHOTO EXPRESS, since instructions that come with our sheets explain how to center edible circles etc.
  5. Download our templates (to be used with PHOTO EXPRESS) for printing other than 8 1/2 x 11 sheets. You will need a way to center circles, hearts or bus. cards, so they print exactly where you need them to.
You may also wish to buy:
STEP ONE: Buy the printer first. Get it where printers are sold, or straight from Cannon at www.usa.cannon.com or 1-800-828-4040.  Get the printer before you get our cartridges because you need to be sure the cartridges filled with food coloring will fit the printer you choose. It MUST be a bubble jet by Cannon. No other brand will work because it won't be a bubble jet and also that the cartridges won't fit into it that are filled with food coloring.
 
IF your chosen printer is not compatable and cartridges do NOT fit it, you cannot use it. So ask before you buy. 
Will your printer use these cartridges:
SMALL PRINTER
4-COLOR PRINTER CARTRIDGES: Canon printers include: ip 3000 /MPC 600F / BJC-3000 / BJC-3010 / BJC-6000 / BJC-6100 / BJC-6200 / BJC-6500 / i550 / i560 / i850 / S400 / S450 / S500 / S520 / S530D / S600 / S630 / S630N / S750 / Canon Multi pass C755 / F30 / F50 / F60 / F80 / MP 700 / MP 730  Bubble Jet printers...or other newer models
OR these:
LARGE/WIDE PRINTER
6-COLOR PRINTER CARTRIDGES (also takes RED and BLUE): CANON BJC-8200, S800,S820 ,S820D,S830D,S900,S9000, i9100, i950, i9900 Bubble Jet printers...or other newer models

STEP TWO: Printer models change often. So it is impossible for me to list all the latest models that can be used.
YOUR CHOICE:
There is a small printer...takes regular 8 1/2 x 11" sheets.
Then there is a large printer ... takes large sheets 11 x 17 or 10" round circles.

STEP THREE: TO DETERMINE WHICH CARTRIDGES YOU NEED TO ORDER:
Check ink cartridges at Office Depot, for the list of printers the cartridge uses. Any cartridges works with many printers.
 


FROSTING SHEETS:
...are just that...sheets of frosting. When layed on the iced cake, the sheet melds into the frosting and looks almost painted on. We carry the thinner brand that meld best. There are thicker sheets out there, but I don't recommend them. Frosting sheets come in packs of 24. I would start with the 7.5 x 10" (which are on 8.5 x 11" backing). This is the most popular size.

If you go to our PHOTO CAKES page, you will also see that we print butterflies, feathers, leaves, etc. These are printed on WAFER PAPER. Wafer Paper is NOT frosting sheets! Wafer Paper stays very tough and cannot be cut though for serving the cake. Wafer Paper is very good though, for printing leaves or butterflies.
*One word of warning...wafer paper is cheap. If you run across a website selling this for 100 sheets/$75.00 or up, don't be fooled. Some companies print the pictures on wafer paper too. But the print is not at all nice. Quality counts with your customers!

CANDY:
You can print on frosting sheets to put on shaped chocolate...the kind you put in candy molds. One ideal fun is the frame molds. Insert a picture and pour the melted chocolate over it. The picture appears to be painted on and is solidly stuck. Wafer Paper won't work with chocolate. The wafer paper won't stick to chocolate. Instructions HERE.

PRINTERS WE CARRY:
We carry printers that are meant to be used WITHOUT a computer. This is good for bakeries when they don't want employees to use their computer. For most people, I recommend using your existing computer. You can be so much more flexible in sizing, cropping or otherwise altering the pictures you print.