I would like to make a few comments in reference to the discussion about icing sheets versus the "Jet" method of applying images to edible products. In the interest of full disclosure, I represent the manufacturer of the Sweet Art Jet System. There are some major differences between our system and the "edible paper" based systems, mainly in the natural appearance and taste of the finished product. The guiding principle of our business has always been that the image should not interfere in any way with the taste or texture of the bakery item. For a very high-end wedding cake, I would think this would be paramount. Because our process results in an image with no foreign substance other than tasteless, textureless food coloring being applied to the cake, the chance of an unpleasant "tissue-paper" experience disturbing wedding guests is eliminated. Because the Jet System can print to a three-dimensional item, the Jet can easily print directly onto rolled fondant, which I believe would be a much more acceptable subtance than edible paper sheets for a upscale wedding cake (the image quality is excellent). It is true that our equipment is more expensive than the edible paper methods, primarily because the Jet is designed to be totally hygienic and food safe. Like all food preparation equipment, its exterior construction is of easily-sanitized stainless steel and its unique design eliminates ALL direct contact between the machine and the food product being decorated. Utilizing an office printer, which was never designed to handle edible items (and can't be thoroughly cleaned), to create these images seems to run counter to proper food preparation practices. Although a new Jet Decorator is approximately $4,500, factory refurbished units are available for a third of this price. One further point. A reference was given to a supplier for HP food coloring cartridges. It is important to remember that overseas sources (or any source for that matter) of this kind of product should be thoroughly investigated. Careful reading of this particular vendor's ingredients list mentions Red Dye #2 which has been banned in the U.S. since the 1970s.
