NEEDED TO START
PRINTING EDIBLE PICTURES
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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.
-
PRINTER...where
Cannon (or now Epson also) printers are sold, or directly their website...see
below.
-
FOOD
COLORING-FILLED CARTRIDGES SOLD AT http://www.sugarcraft.com
-
EDIBLE
FROSTING SHEETS OF CHOICE SIZES
-
I recommend
that you get our software PHOTO EXPRESS,
since instructions that come with our sheets explain how to center edible
circles etc.
-
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:
-
Our cartridge
refills. It can be costly to run out of food coloring with no way to
refill your cartridges.
-
Be sure to
buy a printer cable where
you buy your printer. Printers don't come with these.
-
You may also
want a switch box which allows you to switch between several printers.
Available at Office Depot.
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.
-
The 3000, 6000
series takes a larger black than the color cartridges.
-
The 9000 series
cartridges are all the same sizes. Some 9000 printers have 6 slots, some
have more. Though it works okay without the red and blue, it is hard on
the printhead and the printhead will go bad sooner by not filling all slots.
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.