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Cake Calligraphy Tutorial by Faye Cahill from The Gilded Cake

Cake Calligraphy Tutorial by Faye Cahill from The Gilded Cake

(This cake calligraphy tutorial is extracted with permission from The Gilded Cake by Faye Cahill, published by FW Media International).

A. Transferring a pattern

Before you can start to decorate, you’ll need to transfer your design onto a fondant-covered cake. Use a fine fabric such as chiffon or netting and an edible pen to trace the design onto the cake before adding colour and embellishment.

  1. Trace your design onto a piece of fine fabric using an edible pen. Cake calligraphy tutorial by Faye Cahill from The Gilded Cake, 1
  2. Move the fabric away from the original template to ensure that you have transferred the full design.Cake calligraphy tutorial by Faye Cahill from The Gilded Cake, 2
  3. Pin the fabric to the cake and trace using the edible pen. The design will transfer onto the fondant through the fabric.Cake calligraphy tutorial by Faye Cahill from The Gilded Cake, 3

Hand painting can add a delicate and pretty touch or designer style. Hand-painted designs always get a few more ‘wows’ and are easier to customise than stencils or moulds.

B. Calligraphy and fine line painting

Painting fine lines onto cakes requires a steady hand, but is quite a straightforward technique. It allows you to add personal touches, such as your own unique motifs and designs, or even elaborate monograms, names and dates with calligraphy.

  1. Mix lustre with alcohol. For fine painting, it’s better to use vodka or a similar alcohol with 40-70% alcohol rather than 95%. The slight stickiness of the lower grade alcohol will ‘set’ the painting to prevent smudging or shedding of the lustre powder. Use a thicker mix of paint for better coverage.Cake calligraphy tutorial by Faye Cahill from The Gilded Cake, 4
  2. Paint the design using a fine brush with long bristles. The longer brush will make it easier to achieve long, smooth lines. Try not to go over the same area multiple times or it may become streaky. If it does, allow it to dry before painting over the streaks.Cake calligraphy tutorial by Faye Cahill from The Gilded Cake, 5

Support your hand while painting to achieve more precise detailing.

C. Fixing mistakes

If you make a mistake, just follow this simple technique to remove any excess paint.

Paint over the area with a little water..

Cake calligraphy tutorial by Faye Cahill from The Gilded Cake, 6

…..and quickly blot with a tissue. You may need to repeat this several times to remove the mistake, but try not to use too much water or leave it on for long or it will dissolve the fondant and create a hole.

Cake calligraphy tutorial by Faye Cahill from The Gilded Cake, 7

If the mistake comes off quickly the correction should not be very visible, but if needed you can dust a little cornflour (cornstarch) onto the area to remove any shine.

Cake calligraphy tutorial by Faye Cahill from The Gilded Cake, 8

Then repaint the blotted area to correct the mistake.

Cake calligraphy tutorial by Faye Cahill from The Gilded Cake, 9

For lots more stunning luxury metallic style wedding cake inspiration and projects, get your copy of The Gilded Cake and learn from the master of deluxe wedding cakes.

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