How to Color Wafer Paper for Cake Decorating
Wafer Paper comes in white color and A4 size. Colored wafer paper exist. However, their colors are basic primary colors, not easily available and costly. Below are 3 methods of coloring wafer paper: using airbrush, painting and dusting with petal dust.
Different Ways Of Coloring Wafer Paper
I. Airbrushing
Airbrushing is my preferred method of coloring wafer paper. Using an airbrush, color can be sprayed on to cover the whole A4 size. This is a fast method if you need quantity. They can be made in advance and stored indefinitely, organized according to colors in a paper organizer.
II. Painting
Paint the wafer paper (normally precut petals) using a flat paint brush, with minimal liquid color and lightly brushed on both sides of the of a flower petal. A good method for the ability to control the shades on a petal. Veining is done at this stage as the petal is flexible when damp.
III. Dusting
Coloring wafer paper by using petal dust is the same technique as dusting of gumpaste flowers. Edible petal dust is brushed onto petals to create shadows or highlight edges of petals. Dusting on large wafer paper surfaces is also doable but this means lots of dusting powder needed and dust colors will be flying around during the dusting process.
Types Of Airbrush And How To Care For Airbrush
I. Types of Airbrush
Heavy duty airbrush and portable chargeable USB airbrush
The 3 components of an airbrush machine are:
- airbrush gun
- compressor
- hose
The latest airbrush in the market is a lightweight USB chargeable airbrush. Consisting only of compressor and gun. It does not have a hose which makes it portable and travel friendly. The compressor itself has 3 modes and is as powerful as my heavy duty airbrush machine.
My only complaint is the gun. You will need a plier to unscrew the parts for washing, then need to tighten it back if not there will be leaking. Only to be used with airbrush colors and water (to melt off excess cornflour/icing sugar on fondant cakes).
Thankfully the screws for the compressor is universal, so I can pair it with my old gun. Which is more accepting of gel and liqua-gel colors, my preferred colors. See ratio of color mixing below.
II. Parts of an Airbrush and Keeping the Airbrush Clean
Washing after every use is compulsory. Failure to do so will result in dried paint clogging the miniscule opening of the nozzle.
Fill the cup with water multiple times and spray out until no color is seen. Another method is to submerge nozzle and cup into a basin of water, and pull the lever with one hand while closing the nozzle from the front with a finger. Air bubbles will form at the base of the cup, rinsing paint residue.
Types Of Edible Colors For Airbrushing Wafer Paper
I. Airbrush Colors
Used as is in its original state without mixing water. It will not clog airbrush, however color choices are limiting.
II. Gel Colors
Mix gel colors with water. Gel colors are thick and intense, commonly used for fondant and buttercream. Just a dap of colour with lots of water (x10 or x20) to get light pastel shades. It has the advantage of a wide range of color choices.
III. Chefmaster Liqua-Gel
Under the Chefmaster brand is the Liqua-Gel which consistency is liquid but thicker than airbrush colors. I use a ratio of 1 liqua-gel : 1-2 water (depending on intensity of color needed). Too little water could clog the airbrush and any addition of water will result in a lighter color.
Conclusion
Airbrushing is best when you need colored wafer paper in bulk. Either for a big project or your wedding cake portfolio is mainly wafer paper. They can be prepared in advance, or at least a day in advance.
I like to mix and match all the colors and make many shades at one time. As shown in the picture, the different shades of green for leaves. Don’t worry about the patchy results. It gives shadow and I seldom dust my wafer paper flowers.
An A4 paper organizer or document storage rack keeps them organized and ready at your disposal. To have wide color options is a motivating factor is cake work.
