Cake Central › Cake Forums › Cake Talk › How Do I? › Tappit letters
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Tappit letters - Page 2

post #16 of 32
6/23/11 at 4:07pm
There is a tutorial on You Tube. Search for Tonedna1. Don't use the cornstarch method. Use a thin layer of Crisco on your work surface. Roll your fondant and/or gumpaste out..approx. 1/16" thick. Then press the Tappitt into the fondant. The letter will stick to the work surface and not inside the tappitt....therefore, no need to tap it or bang the hell out of it to get it out!!! They tend to be slightly difficult letters anyway because of the thin lines and curly Q's...no matter what you do, you do need to be careful moving them!! I have never had a problem using this method. You might have to play with getting the fondant and/or gumpaste the right thickness. Too thin and the details of the letters won't come out. Too thick and you get lines from the support plastic around and behind the letters.
We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us. Joseph Cambell
Reply
We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us. Joseph Cambell
Reply
post #17 of 32
6/23/11 at 4:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Serena4016

Don't use the cornstarch method.


And why may I ask, when several people have already chimed in that that is exactly how they do it with great success, do you tell someone notto do it? icon_confused.gif
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 32
6/23/11 at 4:12pm
Tappit? Whack it? Yeah, I'll stick with my method. When they come cleanly out this way, there's no need to make them stick to a mat, and mess with peeling and prying them up.
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 32
6/23/11 at 4:26pm
OK, maybe "Do not use the cornstarch method" wording is a little too strong and I should not have dismissed the cornstarch suggestions!!!. Lesson learned!!! The reason I would suggest it is because I watched the tutorial I mentioned by a women who is an incredible cake decorater and have used this method myself numerous times and it works wonderfully. I guess we all have our own way of doing things. Soooo sorry for offending you!!!
We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us. Joseph Cambell
Reply
We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us. Joseph Cambell
Reply
post #20 of 32
6/23/11 at 4:30pm
Yes, that sounds much better. Thanks! Not offended at all.
Reply
Reply
post #21 of 32
6/23/11 at 4:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnotherCaker

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serena4016

Don't use the cornstarch method.


And why may I ask, when several people have already chimed in that that is exactly how they do it with great success, do you tell someone notto do it? icon_confused.gif



Cornstarch method seems to work well for me...

http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2034440
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1976587
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1916238
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1883933
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1864839/1864845
https://www.facebook.com/TheCutestLittleCakeCompany
Reply
https://www.facebook.com/TheCutestLittleCakeCompany
Reply
post #22 of 32
6/25/11 at 9:11am
Thread Starter 
Awesome advice! I tried the crisco method first and it worked great, but the letters do get a little distorted if you don't let them dry for a while. I don't like to use cornstarch because I always feel like it "sticks" to the fondant/gp and leaves a white film on it....but I'm going to try that method next icon_smile.gif and as far as "tapping"-I really had to hit mine hard! LOL!

Thanks everyone!!!
Reply
Reply
post #23 of 32
6/26/11 at 2:35am
I make lettering in advance, because they stay in shape when you place them dry. I roll the fondant/gumpaste very thinly, let it sit for a few minutes, dust well with powdered sugar, cut out, whack the tappit cutter on my workbench to release letter, let dry for a day. Next day I steam them lightly which dissolves any slightly rough edges and powdered sugar & brightens colours nicely, and leave them to dry out thoroughly before using.
Reply
Reply
post #24 of 32
7/2/11 at 6:22am
I was lucky enough to arrive early at the cake show in the necc Birmingham (UK) last year and was shown how to use these by the fmm team I told her there had been tears late into the night when I had tried so she let me get in behind her stall and try as she had just shown me.

It worked a dream and I've had no issues since let me try and explain....

She had some cornflour ( icing sugar works too) in what I thought was a little bag until she showed me it was a a part of a pair of tights that she had tied into a little pouch so the cornflour just came out through the Holes in little puffs she dusted the cutter with this rolled her paste thin ( fondant or gum paste) and pressed and twisted until there was a clean cut letter in the cutter then she rested her hand on the board knuckles facing down and pulled back the cutter at the top and bang out came a perfect letter....

Imagine holding a ruler with something on the end that you want to "ping" across the room and that exactly how it works for me every time I can knockout happy birthday in less than 2 minutes

I hope you can understand my "explanation" and hope it helps

icon_biggrin.gif
Best advice my dad ever gave me - "only two of you are going on holiday make sure only two of you come back"
Reply
Best advice my dad ever gave me - "only two of you are going on holiday make sure only two of you come back"
Reply
post #25 of 32
7/2/11 at 2:32pm
Bengals, I tried the "ruler method" today and it works better than anything else! Thanks so much for sharing. I'm surprised that the instructions don't come with this tip. Previously I was only using gumpaste, but today I tried it with fondant that wasn't even very dry and had absolutely no problems.
Reply
Reply
post #26 of 32
7/2/11 at 2:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bengals

then she rested her hand on the board knuckles facing down and pulled back the cutter at the top and bang out came a perfect letter....

icon_biggrin.gif



This is what I"m not understanding...
A closed mouth gathers no feet.
Reply
A closed mouth gathers no feet.
Reply
post #27 of 32
7/2/11 at 3:23pm
Luckyblueeye I'm thrilled this worked for you, carmijock I always rest my hand on the board if you "ping" without doing this it won't work.

Have the cutter in your hand rest your hand and wrist on the board thumb facing you grab the top of the cutter with fingers pull back toward you and let go.

It's hard to explain I hope this helps a little more
Best advice my dad ever gave me - "only two of you are going on holiday make sure only two of you come back"
Reply
Best advice my dad ever gave me - "only two of you are going on holiday make sure only two of you come back"
Reply
post #28 of 32
7/2/11 at 3:42pm
Carmijok, I basically pressed one end of the tappit onto my countertop with my left hand while lifting and bending back the other end with my right hand (like in elementary school when I used to flick paper balls at other kids with my ruler). Then just release your right hand grip and let the end of the tappit SLAP back onto your counter. This will release the letter immediately. HTH icon_smile.gif
Reply
Reply
post #29 of 32
7/2/11 at 3:50pm
I have never had luck with fondant and tappits. I use a bit of Crisco under the gumpaste then just a little over the top surface of the gumpaste before cutting out. Thin gumpaste for best results then let the letter air dry for a few minutes before attempting to move it (air drying prevents distortion).
Reply
Reply
post #30 of 32
7/2/11 at 9:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by luckyblueeye

Carmijok, I basically pressed one end of the tappit onto my countertop with my left hand while lifting and bending back the other end with my right hand (like in elementary school when I used to flick paper balls at other kids with my ruler). Then just release your right hand grip and let the end of the tappit SLAP back onto your counter. This will release the letter immediately. HTH icon_smile.gif



Think I got it now...thanks! I will try it!
A closed mouth gathers no feet.
Reply
A closed mouth gathers no feet.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: How Do I?
Cake Central › Cake Forums › Cake Talk › How Do I? › Tappit letters