Kopykake Frosting Sheet Doesn't Want To Peel Off Backing

Decorating By mohara Updated 7 Nov 2012 , 11:00pm by DRA Kake

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mohara Posted 19 May 2005 , 1:38pm
post #1 of 18

Hi.

I have a question for all of you that print edible images using Kopykake sheets. I purchased a pack of them from ******************** and a pack from Kopykake direct. The ones from ******************** easily peel right off the backing. They are awesome. The ones direct from Kopykake do not want to budge. I popped it in the freezer like their website recommends, and that worked, but I don't like having to tell all clients to do that. Has anyone else had any luck with these or any problems. I am wondering if it was just that pack...Please share your experiences with me. I was in a panic last night when a client was picking up her frosting sheet and I wanted to loosen it off the backing a little for her, and I couldn't get it off. I know that if I didn't put in the freezer and do it that way, she definitely would have ruined the sheet herself and probably never purchased from me again. Has anyone else had any bad experiences?

17 replies
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Lisa Posted 19 May 2005 , 1:48pm
post #2 of 18

You got a really fresh pack. I buy from Kopykake most of the time and the frosting sheets are fresher so they are also more moist. They last longer too (in storage) before drying out. Also, if you print an image that required a lot of ink...those will take longer to dry too.

I've gotten sheets from both Kopykake and ******************** that didn't want to peel off the backing. They just need more time to dry. I speed up the drying process by using a blow dryer. Just hold the backing by one corner and blow dry in a side to side motion until the sheet stiffens slightly. You can do this before your client picks up the image so it'll be ready for them to use.

I don't like putting frosting sheets in the freezer. There is a chance it could freeze too hard and crack or get moisture droplets on it which would ruin the image.

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mohara Posted 19 May 2005 , 2:10pm
post #3 of 18

How long does it take to dry? I had printed the Kopykake one on Monday night. The sheets I have from ******************** are ready to peel before I even put them through the printer. I think I like the less fresh ones better! hahaha

How long do you blow dry for? On a warm setting or a cool setting?

Also, this cracks me up. On Kopykake's site under the FAQs, one of the suggestions for you if you are having trouble peeling the sheet off the backing is to take it off the backing first and then print it. (they actually recommend all USA users to do it this way). I have a few problems with that idea. The first being, if I can peel it off after I print it, how would I be able to peel it before I print it. I even tried to peel a new unused one and it was still not budging. My other problem with this is, I use Microsoft publishing platinum to print everything. I love the software. Anyways, it has a 1 inch border built into the work area, so therefore, if I tried printing right onto a sheet without the backing, this would throw the image off completely.

Anyways, I like the non fresh sheets!!!! Please explain the blow drying method in more detail to me. Do you do this everytime for someone? I just don't want anyone to struggle with the sheets and rip them!

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Lisa Posted 19 May 2005 , 2:25pm
post #4 of 18

The blow dry time just depends on how moist the sheets are. No longer than a minute or two though. I use the high setting. Just hold it about 6" above the image. Even if the frosting sheets are ready to peel before printing, I ususally have to do this just because of the amount of ink I've used. I'd say I have to blow dry an image at least 50% of the time. Once I've had the frosting sheets in storage for a few weeks, they're not as moist so they don't need to be blow dried.

I wouldn't ever peel off a backing sheet before running it through my printer. Not good for the printer or the image. If you wanted to though, you could lay out the unused frosting sheets and let them air dry for a while before you print on them.

If it really becomes a hassle, just order from Sugarcraft. They get their sheets from Kopykake so they've been in storage a while already. You may get a really fresh pack from there too though.

Have you tried the Kopykake software? I use it sometimes when I'm not using Photofiltre. Both of those programs are free and allow you to size the images without borders. The Kopykake software is very user friendly.

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mohara Posted 19 May 2005 , 2:37pm
post #5 of 18

I have used the Kopykake software, but I prefer much more hands on tweaking. I don't like being limited by what you can do. I just figure that if I do all the design in Picture It, I may as well print it there too. I don't like that there is no way to do multiple different photos for the 2 inch circles. I just like being more in control. I would probably use the software for the circles if it was a single image, and not much had to be done to it, but that's about it. What I basically did was, take the template of the circle from the Photo express software, save it as a jpg, and then use it in the Publishing software as a template. I just size the images right over the shape. Works great. Also, I like using a software I feel comfortable with. I make all sorts of collages and different types of edible images. I don't like the Photo Express software...either I don't know it well enough or it just has some features I don't prefer. It would always zoom my pictures in, even when I didn't want them too. And if it was a rectangular photo, I don't remember being able to easily crop it into a circle so that it would fit perfectly...without white on on the top and bottom. Anyways, now that I've rambled on for 10 minutes!

Thanks for your feedback. I will definitely start blow drying. Have you ever had people come back saying they couldn't get it off the backing?

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Lisa Posted 19 May 2005 , 2:52pm
post #6 of 18

No...I've never had any complaints or problems. I always test a corner of the image to make sure it's going to peel okay. If it doesn't, I blow dry it longer. Also, when I sell an image, I put it in one of the large size freezer bags. Those are the perfect size.

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mohara Posted 19 May 2005 , 2:57pm
post #7 of 18

Thanks so much! You have just relieved the stress that was aching in my bones. I was very concerned/stressed about these sheets that wouldn't peel! Thank you for allieviating that!

I use the freezer bags too. The only mistake I made - and I just realized this last night, was that the envelopes I bought to ship them in are a great size for the image and cardboard, but too small for the freezer bag. The freezer bag had an extra inch to it, and I had to fold it over a little...(just the bag, not the sheet!!!!). I am going to return the extra envelopes I have and buy the next bigger size. I think I bought 13.5x10.50...seemed perfect at the time, but the freezer bag is just a little too wide.

Thanks again!!!

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Lisa Posted 19 May 2005 , 3:01pm
post #8 of 18

You're welcome! I only sell locally. I'll be sure to come to you for help if I ever decide to start shipping them.

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mohara Posted 19 May 2005 , 3:11pm
post #9 of 18

You should ship! I just started a business, http://www.sweettreatphotos.com, and I have a few Ebay auctions running. It is great because there is an Ebay feed right from my website (it was built in through the company I use)...so it is so easy. I got my first bid on an auction going on right now, so I am pretty psyched!

Thanks again!

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thecakemaker Posted 19 May 2005 , 3:14pm
post #10 of 18

Here's an icing sheet disaster for you. I purchased a pack of icing sheets and put them away as explained. They were in a heavy ziplock baggie in a cardboard type mailing envelope. A few weeks later I went to get one out to use and come to find out the baggie inside the envelope was split down the bottom seam so I may as well have just left them out! None of them were any good - I had to throw them all away. Morale of the story - check the bag for holes and/or tears before putting them away.

Debbie

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Lisa Posted 19 May 2005 , 3:50pm
post #11 of 18

Debbie...that's awful! Could they still be used for stamping or coloring on with edible markers or were they a total loss?

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Lisa Posted 19 May 2005 , 3:51pm
post #12 of 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by mohara

You should ship! I just started a business, http://www.sweettreatphotos.com, and I have a few Ebay auctions running. It is great because there is an Ebay feed right from my website (it was built in through the company I use)...so it is so easy. I got my first bid on an auction going on right now, so I am pretty psyched!

Thanks again!




That's fantastic! Good luck to you and your business!

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thecakemaker Posted 19 May 2005 , 3:57pm
post #13 of 18

They were a total loss. I bought them for use with edible markers and such as I don't have a dedicated printer yet. They were pretty crispy! I was pretty dissappointed - they aren't cheap!

Debbie

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Lisa Posted 19 May 2005 , 4:00pm
post #14 of 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by thecakemaker

They were a total loss. I bought them for use with edible markers and such as I don't have a dedicated printer yet. They were pretty crispy! I was pretty dissappointed - they aren't cheap!

Debbie




You know there has got to be a way to soften these things back up. I bet a humidifier would work. What do you think? I'll try it if I ever have some dry out on me.

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thecakemaker Posted 19 May 2005 , 4:03pm
post #15 of 18

If there is a way it would be great to know! I tried lightly misting one but didn't think about the vaporizer or humidor....

Debbie

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Lisa Posted 19 May 2005 , 4:06pm
post #16 of 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by thecakemaker

If there is a way it would be great to know! I tried lightly misting one but didn't think about the vaporizer or humidor....

Debbie




Since it's just a loss of moisture that causes them to become dry and brittle, I think any way to rehumidify them would work. Maybe even a little steaming would help. Not sure...it'll be one of those things we'll have to test out.

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thecakemaker Posted 19 May 2005 , 4:08pm
post #17 of 18

I haven't purchased any new ones yet but when I do I'll cut one into a few pieces to test different methods on. I'd like to help others avoid what I had to do!

Debbie

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DRA Kake Posted 7 Nov 2012 , 11:00pm
post #18 of 18

I am soooo new to cake decorating and I am starting off with the photo cakes as they are the easiest.  I had my first order today, yippee, and panicked when I couldn't get the sheet off.  However, I placed them in the freezer for about 3-4 mins and voila!, they came off beautifully!  I keep mines in a topper ware in my fridge because I live in a very humid country, Belize.

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