Hello Everyone,
I need some ideas on how to get different types of lettering on my cakes. I normally just pipe the lettering on (either print or script), but it doesn't look as fabulous and profressional as many of the cakes on here. Any tips on how to pipe different styles/fonts? Or other ways to get lettering onto a cake? I know there are impression kits or molds, but have never used them. What do you all use?

Thanks for any tips you can give me.

VegasCakesbyAmanda

I know quite a bit are done with letter tappits or even the cake cricut. You could always print a template out on the computer in your font and cut your fondant out and place on the cake..

I've used the Tappits a few times and really like the way they turn out.

I've also just used some small fondant alphabet cutters too. Here's some examples of both:

ditto for me on the fmm "funky" tappits, they are super cute & worth the extra time/effort to give a clean & professional look

I too love the funky tappits. They are so cute for babies, kids and women. I only wish they would make something in that size that's more masculine.

I agree. I only wish they made something in that size that was more "manly" too.

I just ordered the funky tappits and can hardly wait until they get here. In the past I have used FMM script letters and Wilton's Fondant letter cutters. Really like both since I'm not that great at piping directly onto a cake. Really makes me nervous.

Thanks for the tips. I'm not familiar with the Tappits many of you are talking about. Where do I order them from, and how do you use them? Do you cut them out of fondant (like a cookie cutter) or stamp the imprint into your icing and trace?

Another though. I've done block lettering before by outlining and filling in the letters. However, when I pat them to try to smooth out the lines it never turns out right. You can still see the squiggles from me filling it in. Any tips on that?

I do dip my finger in cornstarch...still get the same effect.

I just got the script tappit and love it...it took me a bit to get the hang of it but they're great.
They're basically a cutter but they come in strips with several letters on one strip. The have a back as well, so you roll out your fondant/gumpaste thin and then press the letter you want....then tap it out.
I havent had much luck using fondant with mine though, even with gumtex added, I find gumpaste works better...anyone else find this? It says you can use both???

I'm not very good at piping either, I keep practicing. I will sometimes print out a different font, trace it onto my cake then pipe that...my free hand piping is...ekkkk. I've had the same writing since grade 3 lol

oh and I got my tappit online at golds kitchen

Unlimited: I agree that it is more professional to be able to pipe your lettering and I do practice. As a matter of fact, I think I have nice print and script piping, but I would like to expand my font repertoire (as it were). I think this is when the Tappits and other tips other members have used will come in handy.

Thank you everyone for the tips. I will have to look for these Tappits.

VegasCakesbyAmanda, you could get them from Global Sugar Art or Country Kitchen Sweet Art.

Tor1985, The first time I used my funky tappits I used them with straight fondant; I rolled it out very thin on a cornstarch surface and let set for about 5-10 mins. I dipped my letters in cornstarch removed excess and then put a lot of pressure on them especially where you need a cutout (uppercase b-d-p- and lower case a-b-d-e-p-q) sometimes the letter would be on the board intact or in the cutter, at this point I made sure the edges were clean, then I tap it on the counter and they came right out. I also used with mmf. I had a few that didn't come out but just made sure that the letters were well coated with cs. Rolling them thin you would think that they would be hard to pick up and place on cake; but it's really flexible and easy to handle when you let the fondant sit for a few minutes before cutting.

Thanks Yummy, it never even occured to me to let the fondant firm up a bit before cutting. I'll have to try that! I just started using mmf and REALLY like it, I'll try the tappit with some leftovers I have.
Thanks for the advice!

You're welcome Tor1985. Good luck and come back and let us know how it turned out for you.

I LOVE using tappits and the funky letters are my favorite. Yummy, you are right about letting it sit a few minutes.

I used to struggle to get my letters to stay the correct shape. Here is what I do now and it works great for me. I used my pasta machine to roll out the fondant strip on '1'. I lay the strip out on ps and let it sit for 5 - 10 minutes depending on humidity. I press the tappit into the fondant and pull the whole thing away. The fondant stays in the tappit. I go over the edges of the letter with my finger for a nice clean edge, use my exacto knife to get out any centers, like in the 'a', b', etc. I tap it onto the counter for a clean letter. It sounds complicated but it takes 1/2 a second and my letters are clean and ready to go.