Wafer paper is an edible material made out of potato starch, water, and oil. It looks like printer paper, but it’s fully edible.
There are two types of wafer paper: single thickness and double thickness. One is softer, and the other is more rigid.
For wafer paper flowers, foliage, and the designs I make, 0.30 mm single-thickness paper is my go-to. Double-thickness paper, about 0.60 mm, is suitable for painting and making designs similar to fondant appliqués on your cakes.
Let’s talk about wafer paper, how to choose it, how to color it, and how to use it for your cake decorating.
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Single vs. double thickness
| Type of wafer paper | Thickness and texture | How I use it |
|---|---|---|
| Single thickness (AD grade) | About 0.30 mm. Softer. One shiny side and one bumpy side. | Flowers, foliage, and cake decorating designs. |
| Double thickness (DD grade) | About 0.60 mm. More rigid. Both sides are smooth. | Painting and designs similar to fondant appliqués. |
Single-thickness wafer paper for flowers
Single-thickness paper has two sides. One side is smooth and shiny. The other side has texture, and we call it the bumpy side.
If you’re making wafer paper flowers, foliage, or designs like the ones I make, 0.30 mm single-thickness paper is my go-to wafer paper.
Double-thickness wafer paper for painting
Double-thickness paper is about 0.60 mm. Both sides are smooth and have no texture. You can see the difference: this paper is more rigid.
I use double-thickness paper for painting and making designs similar to fondant appliqués on cakes.
Wafer paper supplies
Saracino wafer paper
Oasis Supply AD-grade paper
Oasis Supply DD grade
Wafer paper conditioner and glue
Two other things we need to work with wafer paper are wafer paper conditioner and wafer paper glue.
This is my own AC Tonic wafer paper conditioner. It’s glycerin-based, and you can get the recipe and get started with making wafer paper flowers.
I make my wafer paper glue with wafer paper scraps and water. I put it in the microwave in 5-second increments until it becomes a thick, gel-like consistency.
I prefer wafer paper glue instead of edible glue because it won’t melt the wafer paper as much, and it helps stick everything together.
How to color wafer paper
There are a few different ways to color wafer paper. The first is to buy pre-colored paper. It comes in different colors, but sometimes it’s hard to find the exact color you need. That’s not my favorite way.
You can also use an edible printer and print a design on your wafer paper. However, I use my own methods of coloring wafer paper.
Dry petal dust on the smooth side
One of my most-used methods, because it’s the fastest, is to apply dry petal dust. I prefer to do that on the smooth side of wafer paper.
Airbrush color for a larger cake
If you need to color a large amount of wafer paper, I recommend using a mixture of airbrush color and my AC Tonic wafer paper conditioner and applying it with an airbrush.
I do that for my green colors and when I’m working on a larger cake.
My favorite method: a brush
My favorite method is to use a brush and my AC Tonic wafer paper conditioner on every single petal. It gives me the best control of my application and color, and I can shape my petals immediately.
Here are the different ways to color wafer paper.
Frequently asked questions
Which wafer paper do I use for flowers?
For the wafer paper flowers and designs I make, 0.30 mm single-thickness paper is my go-to. It’s softer, with one shiny side and one bumpy side.
How do I know which type of wafer paper I have?
Single-thickness paper has one smooth, shiny side and one textured, bumpy side. Double-thickness paper is more rigid, and both sides are smooth.
What is double-thickness wafer paper suitable for?
Double-thickness paper, about 0.60 mm, is suitable for painting and making designs similar to fondant appliqués on your cakes.
Get started with wafer paper flowers
Get my wafer paper conditioner recipe and get started with making wafer paper flowers. Here is how to make wafer paper flowers.
If you want to work with wafer paper and create beautiful designs, join me inside WAFER PAPER ACADEMY. Make beautiful wafer paper flowers with me, petal by petal.
One Comment
I love to bake and I am extremely interested in cake decorating. I don’t feel very artistic but I am not afraid to try! Practice and knowledge is key. I recently came across your channel and I am obsessed! I love how you take the time to explain and demonstrate. I looked at some videos and went out and bought rice & wafer paper to experiment but in the mean time I watched your video of how different they are. I’m looking forward to taking this learning adventure in your channel and see what I can create. Thanks!