Hi Everyone! Ladies and Gents, I need your expert advice about Kopycake Projector. I'm planning to get one, since I'm thinking that it'll help me w/ my piping. I'm planing to get this model, since it's the only one I can afford right now (I saw a couple of this used model in Ebay with an affordable price). Is this worth it and the right model? I know this model didn't show in the Kopycake website cake decorating section, just wondering though if I can use this model for cakes n cookies. Thank you in advance http://www.kopykake.com/arts-crafts-and-beauty/arts-crafts-and-beauty-35mm-slide.html

I have worked with these types of projectors over the years when I worked in grocery store bakeries. When we did picture cakes "old school" by projecting the picture onto the cakes surface and then painting the picture by hand and filling in with an airbrush.

Honestly I'm not sure how it would help with straight piping, unless you are following an outline like with a picture.

And, the models that I personally worked with took a picture about 4-inches by 6-inches not a 35mm slide. I wouldn't even know where to get a slide developed these days. I dated a art photographer 25 years ago and he worked heavily with slides, and I know they are used in the art world, but I wouldn't know how to use a slide to help with piping or even to transfer a picture from a drawing or photo onto a slide and then onto the cake. Many people have moved onto the newer technology of creating the picture on their computers and then printing it with a food printer onto edible sheets.

I still do old school pictures, they are my top selling cakes, but I now work free hand with icing and piping. I've thought about a projector, probably an art one over a "cake" one so that I can also use it for other art projects, but I'm still clueless about the whole slide issue.

Tami

I bought a kopykake projector off of ebay years ago and have used it maybe once. I had trouble getting the image to the right size, it takes up a lot of space, your hand tends to block the light (and image). I did not find it to be worthwhile. I use the pinprick method for tranfering images and wording to the cake. If you're not familiar with that method, just do a quick search, I'm sure there is tons of info about it.

HTH

i got mine about a month ago and have really enjoyed it. yes your hand does shadow, but you just have to work around it

if you really want to get a projector for your cake decorating hold out for a KopyKake K1000 or the 300xk. You'll occasionally find one on ebay for a good price, but these are the ones i would recommend. the K1000 has 2 light bulbs the 300 only one.

i've been doing a lot of research on the kopykake projector (because I REALLY want one, but have to save up first)... i'm looking at the 300XK projector and the best price i have seen is at Jerry's Artarama. (It's $185) This one is ideal because you can just print something off online, or use wrapping paper or anything really to project it onto the cookie/cake, there's no need for slides. Sweetopia does a great job showing how to use it in a tutorial.

I have the Kopykake K1000 I got on ebay for like 100 bucks about 4 years ago and that is one cake decorating item I will NEVER get rid of. I just print off what pic I want to use online in a 4x6 size put it in the machine and just "star" the design onto the cake. I used it with the horse cake, Mickey mouse, Umizoomie cake, and some other in my photos. I highly recommend the K1000. Just keep checking ebay to get a good price on one.

I have the Kopykake 300XK and have had it for over 10 years..I have replaced the bulb a few times but I use it on nearly all my kids cakes who want a image..I bought an edible image system last year and spent close to $400.00 getting set up etc and threw it out 5 months later..very labour intensive to keep it running and the inks and papers were expensive...the black exploded inside so I tossed it in the recycle bin..money down the drain..Anyways...I love my projecter..you just have to get to know what size pictures you need to get the right size but after doing it so long it is easy...The shadow thing you get used to as well..I'm not sure it will be that useful for fonts etc as you need a really staedy hand and anytime I tried to do this the writing looked sguiggled and such and not flowing...hard to bend over and write neatly when you don't have anything to rest your hand on...

I would invest in another one in a heart beat!!

Thank you Everyone for the inputs! I really appreciate it Now, off to save money for the Kopykake K1000 (^_^)!