I have a cake that requires an edible image wrapped around one tier.

I have used the wafer paper in my edible image printer but never the icing sheets.

My question is , how long in advance can I print out my icing sheet?

Also, if these can be printed in adavnce, how do you store them? Is a ziploc bag sufficient?

Thank you in advance.

I have read horror stories about printing edible images and am a bit nervous

AA ziplock is fine, you can print it weeks before you need it. It is the cheap sheets that are SOO terrible. If you get Kopykake or other crappy sheets, you may have problems. I exclusively use icing images premium sheets. I love them!

Thank you ! I'm going to print out my images in advance, this will ease my nerves a bit knowing they are ready to go and I won't be up at 3am trying to get my printer to work

I have Lucks icing sheets, any experience with those? I'll keep icing images in mind for my next order. Thanks! 

I can't remember, but I think I think I hate Lucks, too. I think they are just repackaged Kopykake. Just follow the directions, and try not to handle it, or it will tear. They are SO tricky! I actually like to set it on a dry cake, then just pick up the corners with a small spatula, and get the cake wet under it with a brush.  I do it like that, because you cannot move it. If you set it on wet cake, and place it as fast as you can, it is liable to be crooked. If you take your time, once it is where you need it, it is torn to shreds.

AAs usual, Anna is correct. I store them in a large ziploc.

Same

I have kopykake sheets and they are horrendous to get the backing off.  So far I have thrown out twice as many as I have used.  I just cannot get the backing off without them tearing.

AI use Kopykake (HATE that WT spelling) and have never had a problem.

Godot, can you tell me what you do when you want to take the backing off.

I use Lucks and think they're a good compromise between Kopykakes and Icing Images Premium.  I had major problems getting Icing Images sheets to meld with the buttercream.  I don't have that problem with Lucks.  Lucks are heavier and more pliable than KK.  So, for me at least, they're a good middle of the road choice.

But as to the original question...I've printed them weeks ahead of time.  Back when I had a balky printer, I felt I had to do that just in case I had to turn to someone else to do the printing.  Didn't want to be searching for help at the last minute.  Kept them in a large ziploc, OUT OF THE LIGHT, and they were fine. 

The light issue is a biggie!  A year or so ago, I had a rather large cake with a collage of photos.  I finished it and put it on the dining room table while I did other things.  I was horrified to find that a tiny sliver of sunlight from a decorative window had danced across the top of the cake during the afternoon.  Everywhere it touched the cake, the color was drastically changed.  I had to scrape everything off, reprint (thank goodness that was a day my printer decided to WORK) and redecorate the whole thing.  Big lesson learned.

So, yeah..print 'em early.  Keep them sealed in bags.  Store in the dark! 

To get the backing off of frosting sheet, stick it in freezer for a minute or 2.  Be careful when you take it out if it's too frozen you can crack the image. 

Thank you everyone for your help. I am pretty nervous about thsi edible image stuff...

I'm going to try to print out my design tomorrow ( a week in advance ) . I will also make sure to order the Icing Images sheets next time.

Thanks !

I've tried the freezer trick and also the hair dryer trick.  Neither were particularly successful.

AI gently drag it over a sharp corner, holding it tightly at the ends. But the icing images one seriously fall off. It is nuts! I have actually run them through my printer, praying the whole time, and looking through the slot it is supposed to come out of (unless it is crumbled) when it prematurely came off the backer. It worked just fine, but is pretty panicking. If it doesn't work, it is like lighting $2 on fire, after cost, shipping and ink!

Thanks everyone! 

I have printed my images...and after fiddling with one that didn't come out great I am pretty sure these sheets stink. 

The paper sheet they are attached to slid off the back, but it looks like there may be another layer to peel?  Or is that paper sheet the only thing that has to come off? 

I do so much better with the rice paper, I'm not loving the icing sheets.