Edible Images – Your Complete How-To Guide
Terryberri's edible icing images are printed with high-quality edible ink onto a thin icing sheet. They're 100% edible, gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, and egg-free, making them suitable for vegetarians and vegans. With a shelf life of 8–12 months, they're ready whenever your next celebration is.
Browse our full range of Edible Icing Images →
Storing Your Edible Image
Keep the image inside its sealed zip-lock bag at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity. Do not refrigerate unused sheets — moisture is the main enemy. Store flat to prevent cracking or curling. As long as the bag stays sealed, the image will remain in excellent condition for up to 8–12 months.
When to Apply Your Image
Timing varies depending on your icing type and the humidity on the day, so treat these as a guide rather than strict rules:
- Buttercream: Apply no more than 1–4 hours before serving. Buttercream is moist and can cause the image to bleed if left too long.
- Fondant: Apply up to 24 hours ahead. Fondant provides a more stable, drier surface that supports the image well.
- Royal icing: Apply once the royal icing is fully set (not tacky). It gives a very firm base for clean results.
- Wetter toppings (cream, ganache, whipped cream): Apply as close to serving time as possible — ideally within 30–60 minutes — as moisture will dissolve the sheet quickly.
If in doubt, apply later rather than earlier. A little patience leads to a sharper, cleaner result.
Preparing Your Cake Surface
The surface should be smooth and slightly tacky — not wet. For buttercream, let it set in the fridge for 10–15 minutes after applying so it firms up a little before you add the image. For fondant or royal icing, make sure there are no dry cracks where the image could lift.
Peeling and Placing Your Image
- Remove the image from its bag only when you're ready to apply it.
- If trimming is needed (for round images), cut with clean scissors or a sharp knife before peeling.
- Gently peel the image away from its backing sheet. Work slowly from one corner — do not rush or the sheet may tear.
- Lay the image onto your cake surface, printed side up. Start from the centre and smooth outward gently with clean, dry fingertips or the back of a spoon.
- If small air bubbles appear, lightly press them to the edge. They usually disappear as the image bonds to the surface.
Troubleshooting
Image won't peel cleanly. The sheet may have absorbed a little humidity. Place it (still in its bag) near a warm spot (not hot) for a few minutes, then try again. Never use a damp cloth to loosen it.
Bubbling after application. This usually means the icing surface had too much moisture. Gently press bubbles outward and allow the image to settle for 10–15 minutes at room temperature. Most small bubbles flatten on their own.
Bleeding or colour running. Caused by a very wet icing surface or applying too early. Remove excess surface moisture with a light pat of dry kitchen paper before applying, and try to apply closer to serving time next time.
Image sliding or not sticking. The icing surface may be too dry or too stiff. Lightly brush the surface with a tiny amount of water or piping gel using a pastry brush to create just enough tack, then re-apply.
Can I refrigerate the cake after applying the image? Yes, briefly — but condensation when the cake warms back up can cause the image to bleed. If you need to refrigerate a finished cake, keep it in a box to limit humidity and bring it to room temperature slowly. Avoid covering the image directly with plastic wrap.
Ingredients & Allergen Information
All Terryberri edible icing images contain the following ingredients:
Starches (E1422, E1412), maltodextrin, glycerin, sugar, stabilizer (E414, E460), dextrose, emulsifiers (E435, E491, E471), food colour (E171), citric acid, flavours, preservative (E202).
Allergen information: Free from gluten, nuts, dairy, and eggs. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. If you have specific dietary concerns, please read the full ingredient list above carefully.
Ready to Order?
Find your perfect design in our edible icing image collection — available in round and rectangular sizes to suit any cake.