How To Write Beutiful Lettering.

Decorating By Kookie Updated 3 Apr 2011 , 11:45pm by sillywabbitz

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Kookie Posted 2 Apr 2011 , 2:22pm
post #1 of 12

My BIG problem for decorating cake is LETTERING.
I am very bad hand writing so I can't write beautifully. Especially if I write big letters on the big cake so I always use fondant for lettering but it takes time to cut all letters. I would be happy if someone helps me or any tips for
how to write beautifully.
THANKS.

11 replies
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leah_s Posted 2 Apr 2011 , 2:25pm
post #2 of 12

I use mostly Tappits.

If I do write on a cake, I've found that the best idea to to write in an "artistic" way on purpose. Loops, squiggles, etc. Also do NOT move your wrist as you write - move your entire arm while forming the letters.

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luddroth Posted 2 Apr 2011 , 2:43pm
post #3 of 12

If you don't want to cut them out of fondant, then there's no substitute for practice. Print out a font you like onto paper, tape it to a cake round, cover it with plastic wrap taped down so that it's perfectly smooth. Get your icing and tip and bag ready, and pipe over the printed letters onto the plastic wrap. Wipe it off and do it again. And again. And again. The people who are good at it have put in hours and hours of practice. (I'm not one of them!)

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mamabaer Posted 2 Apr 2011 , 2:46pm
post #4 of 12

If it's over fondant you can print it out on copy paper from your printer in any font that you want, as big as you want. Lay it over the cake and use a pin or needle to poke through the lettering all over. When you take off the paper you have little pin pricks exactly where you need to pipe. the piping covers it up and you have perfect writing!

If it's on buttercream, you can do the same thing except poke the holes ahead of time, then lay on the cake gently. poke through the holes again, gently, to leave pin pricks.

It's like having the handwriting tracing letters from school!

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AngelFood4 Posted 2 Apr 2011 , 2:52pm
post #5 of 12

Kookie, I like to print out a template of the wording at the size I need, trim any extra paper off and lay it down over the cake then either use a pin to poke a few holes into the cake at all the important points (corner, intersections, etc) or use a scriber to gently and lightly inscribe the lettering - You're mostly concerned about getting the correct height, width, and intersections so be sure to scribe those points and you don't have to inscribe the entire letter). Remove the paper, lay it close by to use a guide and carefully pipe the lettering on the cake using a moist paint brush and a toothpick to help smooth down the icing and push it into place - lots of patience. Time consuming but as you can see in my album, you get very nice lettering in basically any font style.

I've heard of this but haven't done it - another way is to print out the lettering backwards (like a reflection), lay it under a piece of parchment paper, with RI or chocolate, pipe the letters out then once dry, lay it up against the cake, gently press it up against the cake to leave an impression then pipe over the impression.

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Kookie Posted 2 Apr 2011 , 4:15pm
post #6 of 12

Leah_s,
I use Tappits for fondant lettering all the time but I never thought about
using for buttercream frosting.That is great idea. Thanks

mamabear,Angelfood4
I tried this Method once but when I push the poked paper on the buttercream frosting, it was hard to see any pokes on it. what do you use to poke the paper?

luddroth
Yes, you are right. lots of practice makes beautiful lettering.
Thank you

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AngelFood4 Posted 2 Apr 2011 , 4:24pm
post #7 of 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kookie

mamabear,Angelfood4
I tried this Method once but when I push the poked paper on the buttercream frosting, it was hard to see any pokes on it. what do you use to poke the paper?




Kookie - I just use a sewing push pin. You can use something wider as long as the size of your piping will cover the hole or scribe up.

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Kookie Posted 2 Apr 2011 , 4:36pm
post #8 of 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by AngelFood4

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kookie

mamabear,Angelfood4
I tried this Method once but when I push the poked paper on the buttercream frosting, it was hard to see any pokes on it. what do you use to poke the paper?



Kookie - I just use a sewing push pin. You can use something wider as long as the size of your piping will cover the hole or scribe up.




I will try that next time.
Thank you, AngelFood4!

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trixie05 Posted 2 Apr 2011 , 5:13pm
post #9 of 12

I use my word processor to print/write my message, trying different fonts & sizes. Then I print out the one I like. I then put wax paper over the printed message & pipe over the letters with Royal Icing. Sometimes I have to pipe a second time. Wait until they dry, then just peel the letters off the wax paper & put on your cake. This works great for me.

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Jeannem Posted 2 Apr 2011 , 7:28pm
post #10 of 12

If I need to write something fast, I have the Wilton letter sets. DO NOT use the liner up thingy that comes with it--just press the individual letters into the frosting for the imprint, the go over them with buttercream. Be care not to leave fingernail prints, and start from the middle for proper centering.

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tamdan Posted 3 Apr 2011 , 10:07pm
post #11 of 12

What are "tappits?"

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sillywabbitz Posted 3 Apr 2011 , 11:45pm
post #12 of 12

I have terrible handwriting and use tappits as well. If the cake is whimsical I find I can use a large star tip and print and it comes out well. I can't pipe or write with the little tips.

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