Edible ink printing

Edible paper , as the name implies, is a paper that may be consumed without harsh effects on a normal human digestive system. Usually, the paper has no flavor and very little texture.

Edible paper is most commonly used as a cake decoration. The paper is firm enough to be printed on in a standard printer. However, the paper dissolves quickly when brought in contact with moist frosting. The end effect is that the image (usually a photograph) on the paper appears to be printed on the icing. Note: While the paper is edible, not all printer inks are edible.

Any inkjet or bubblejet printer can be used to print, although resolution may be poor. If you have an inkjet or bubblejet printer you can easily convert it to a printer that prints edible ink. You have to disassemble the print cartridges and take out the sponge that contains ink. You must wash them and let them dry,and also you have to wash the print heads. Washing the print heads is important because the inks that are used in standard printers are often harmful or fatal if swallowed. Then you assemble the print cartridge and fill it with edible ink.

Some edible inks are powdered, but if they are easily soluble in water they can also be used as any other edible ink without reducing quality.

See also

• Rice paper