Where and How to Buy Wafer Paper in Bulk: A Complete Guide for Cake Decorators
What is Wafer Paper
Did you know that wafer paper used to be served as a dessert during Vincent van Gogh’s times? Read more about it in this article on the History of Wafer Paper.
It is made from potato starch and is sugar-free, gluten-free, as well as edible, hence bio-degradable and commonly used as food packaging and printed as edible branding for food products. Summarized from www.waferpaper.com.
Besides the well used cake decorating mediums such as buttercream, fondant, gumpaste and royal icing, we now have a new medium in wafer paper, with ongoing discovery of methods and techniques.
Disclosure: There are some affiliate links below and I may receive commissions for purchases made through them. These are all products I am currently using and the links will be able to help you get access to them.
Why is there a Need to Bulk Buy Wafer Paper?
Buying wafer paper in bulk is a good investment because:
- it has long shelf-life
- does not need much storage space
- enables the much needed prectise to master skill-based techniques
- enables experimentation and new creations without fear of limited resources
Adopting wafer paper as a medium for wedding cakes has benefits such as:
- fast production due to fast drying time – adapting to the era of instant gratification, faster production time is necessary
- lightweight compared to heavy fondant and gumpaste
Where to Buy Wafer Paper
Click on this Alibaba Affiliate Link which will bring you to the company
Zhuhai Skytop Digital Technology Co. Ltd. on Alibaba. Two types of wafer papers are available. 0.35mm (for flowers and frills) and 0.65mm (for stiff structures). The basic white A4 size is all you need to unleash your creativity.
Contact the supplier to start your enquiries and ordering. Their customer service is fast and efficient. As for delivery, recommended below is a more cost effective way.
How to Arrange Forwarding for Alibaba Orders
Register an account with AskMeBuy which is a buying and delivery company in China. They offer forwarding services, which enables them to receive any parcels from within China and forward them internationally. There is substantial cost saving, compared to if shipped by Alibaba.
Here is what you will find on the site…under Ship For Me.
From experience, by sea delivery to my doorstep takes roughly 14 days. There are options for air delivery depends on urgency.
Upon registration (which is free), contact customer service (at Contact Us), state your purpose and you will get your ID or Shipping Mark with the address. This is needed by Alibaba to stick onto your package before they deliver. Hope it is not too confusing. Let me know in comments if there is a need for further step by step guide.
Unboxing of Wafer Paper from Zhuhai Skytop
I like the quality of packaging, with corner protectors and a sturdy box. There is an example of what an ID or shipping mark looks like.
Recommended Wafer Paper Experts
Listed below are pioneers and experts in the wafer paper art of cake decorating.
Petya Shmarova
The creator of various techniques named Sicca, Plica, Vellis and MassaBlooms. With a new book Wafer Paper Flower Next Level launched, follow her for the latest wafer paper innovations at @petyashmarova
Nadia from Chokolate Designs
Famous for 3D sculptures of animals without any wires and are hollow inside. I like the simplicity of only using water in her creations. View her works at @chokolatedesigns
Chef Anna from Florea Cakes
Join Chef Anna at her Wafer Paper Academy where she guides students on how to be a Wedding Cake Designer in 6 weeks using wafer paper as decorating medium. Follow her at @floreacakes
Beata from Petitepivoine_Cakes
For fluffy flower inspiration and textures, it is a pleasure to see work of Beata from @petitepivoine_cakes
How I Use Wafer Paper in my Cake Designs
Follow my YouTube channel Nurainie Tan Cakes. I share Work In Progress videos mainly focusing on using wafer paper to change the structural form of cakes by adding frills, pleats, crinoline lace, straws and ruffles. Wafer paper flowers are added to the overall design. And sneak peaks at venues during setup.
