We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Food

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Edible Ink?

By Miranda Fine
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 20,870
Share

Edible ink is ink that is safe to eat. It is used to decorate food, most often baked goods such as cakes, cupcakes and cookies. Novelty baked goods such as photograph cakes are made using edible ink.

Food colorings and dyes, made from natural and synthetic sources, have been used for centuries, and are the edible inks most people are familiar with. Edible inks for use in printers, those used to reproduce photographs onto baked goods, were developed in the early years of the 2000s. Commercial bakeries were first to adopt the technology, which is now available for home use.

Some models of Canon and Epson printers can print edible inks. Supplies needed to print in edible ink, besides a compatible printer, are icing sheets and edible ink cartridges. You can also buy software specifically designed for designing and printing images in edible ink. The icing sheets are made of sugar, or cornstarch and corn syrup. They are wafer thin and come in different sizes. Edible inks come in different colors, and the printer can use the inks to produce a variety of hues.

Once an image is printed on an icing sheet, the decorator places it on top of the frosted cake, cupcake or cookie. The icing sheet will seamlessly absorb into the frosting. Icing sheets and edible inks are made in the U.S. from non-toxic FDA approved ingredients and are usually kosher.

Another form of edible ink currently gaining popularity is the decorating pen. These come in a variety of colors and can be used to draw on any kind of food, plates, or to draw temporary tattoos. Their most popular use is for decorating cookies. Edible ink pens look just like regular ink pens and can last up to two years after opening. The pens work best when used to draw on a hard surface, such as the hard icing often used on cookies.

Share
DelightedCooking is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By anon990840 — On May 12, 2015

No one will reply because the ingredients are illegal as most contain e151 and e122.

By anon179220 — On May 23, 2011

what is the best way to get started? I want to start print my own edible ink stickers for cupcakes, cookies and chocolate. need a clue!

By anon32494 — On May 22, 2009

What are the actual ingredients of edible ink?

Does it contain any animal fat or protein?

-Linda Tio

Share
https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-is-edible-ink.htm
Copy this link
DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.