✦ PRINTARELLE ✦

Cake Toppers — Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about ordering, applying & storing your cake toppers

Can't find your answer? Contact us at hello@printarelle.com — we're always happy to help! 🎂

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Ordering & Delivery


We aim to provide a fast, high-quality service — your order is sent for production on the same or next working day. Please double-check all personalisation details carefully at checkout and in your acknowledgement email, as we cannot change or refund an order once it has been paid for.


Unfortunately we cannot change an order once it has been paid for, as it goes straight into production. We also cannot refund items where personalisation has been misspelt due to a customer error — so please review your order very carefully before completing your purchase.


Yes! Multiple items placed on the same order and paid for together at checkout will be dispatched in the same package.


Absolutely — if you order well in advance, we will hold your order and post it out 1–2 weeks before your event. Please make sure to include your required date when placing your order so we can time delivery correctly for you.


Images must be in JPEG format only — Word documents, PDFs, and other file types cannot be accepted. For the best print results, we recommend your image is at least 1,000 pixels on the shortest edge.

We will print images as received and cannot take responsibility for poor results caused by a low-resolution upload. The better the quality you provide, the crisper your finished topper will be. We will contact you if we feel the image isn't up to our standards, or will try to find a better version where possible.

⚠️ Please note: colours printed onto icing sheets may appear a few shades different from the original image. This is normal and usually not very noticeable. We use the best software, printers, and icing sheets available to ensure the highest possible output quality.

All icing sheets are posted in a hard-backed envelope to prevent bending, along with a plastic zip-lock bag to protect them from moisture during transit. We also dry each sheet in the oven before posting to make peeling from the backing sheet easier when you receive them.

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Paper Cake Toppers


Our paper cake toppers are printed on high-quality card stock or premium gloss/matte paper, making them vibrant, sturdy, and long-lasting. They are designed to stand upright on your cake with ease.


Paper cake toppers come ready to use — simply insert the included cocktail sticks or toothpicks through the base and push them into the top of your cake. For extra stability on tall cakes, you can use a small piece of floral wire.


Yes! Our paper toppers are printed with food-safe inks. However, they are not designed to be eaten and should be removed before cutting and serving. Always keep the topper away from direct contact with cream or wet surfaces to maintain its shape.


Yes — paper toppers should be kept away from moist frosting, buttercream, or humid environments as this can cause them to wilt or discolour. For best results, insert the topper just before serving your cake.


Absolutely! We offer fully personalised paper cake toppers with custom names, ages, photos, and messages. Get in touch with your requirements and we'll create a bespoke topper just for you.


Store your paper topper flat in its packaging, away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. Do not bend or fold it. Kept in the right conditions, paper toppers will last several months.

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Icing Sheet Cake Toppers


Icing sheets are made from a thin layer of icing printed with edible ink, fixed onto a plastic backing sheet. They come in a range of sizes: 10" × 7.5" oblong, 7.5" round, 7.5" square, 2" round, and 1.5" round. Cupcake toppers are pre-cut; other sizes are not.

They are 100% edible and designed to be applied directly onto an already-iced cake, cupcakes, or cookies — they are not a replacement for icing. Our sheets are "Easy-Peel" for quick, simple application.

  • ✅ Gluten free & Kosher certified
  • ✅ Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
  • ✅ Smooth white finish for brilliant, vibrant print quality

Yes, icing sheets are completely edible and made from sugar, water, and glucose, printed with food-grade edible inks. Full allergen information is listed on each product — please check carefully if you have any dietary requirements or allergies. Icing sheets may be produced in a facility that also handles gluten, dairy, and soy.


Our icing sheets have a shelf life of one year, but once printed we recommend using them within 1–2 weeks for the best results. Store with the plastic backing on inside the zip-loc bag provided, in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight — edible colours can fade with prolonged UV exposure.

Do not open until you are ready to apply to your cake.

⚠️ Icing sheets do not need to be refrigerated — prolonged refrigeration will damage the colours.

Follow these steps for the best results:

  • 1. Make sure the top of your cake is as flat as possible — rounded edges can cause the sheet to wrinkle at the edges.
  • 2. Ensure your hands are completely dry. If you wet the printed side, the colours will run.
  • 3. If cutting is needed, cut to the desired shape using clean, dry scissors or a sharp craft knife before removing from the plastic backing.
  • 4. Lightly dampen the top of your cake icing with a little water on a pastry brush or fine mist spray until it feels tacky — not wet.
  • 5. Carefully peel the icing sheet from its backing, taking extra care around the edges.
  • 6. Gently lower the sheet onto the cake from the middle outward, and smooth with the palm of your hand to remove any air bubbles.
  • 7. Pat out any remaining bubbles or wrinkles with dry fingers.

After a few hours the topper will blend into the icing. Apply no more than 2 days before serving and store in a cake box rather than an airtight container.


Sugar paste (fondant) and buttercream are the best surfaces — dry, smooth icing gives the most vibrant and even print finish. If using a wet or dark-coloured icing, we recommend placing the topper onto a piece of sugar paste first, leaving it to dry for 24 hours, and then placing that onto the cake. This prevents the moisture from the icing from dissolving the thin icing sheet.


Fresh cream is not ideal — its high water content can cause the image to bubble or, if left too long, disintegrate into the cream. If fresh cream is unavoidable, stick the printed icing sheet onto a rolled-out piece of sugar paste first to act as a moisture barrier, then add the whole piece to the cake as close to serving as possible.

⚠️ Remember: icing sheets cannot go in the fridge, so if using fresh cream the topper must always be added last minute.

This is usually caused by humidity or temperature in the room. Try these steps:

  • Place the sheet in a fan oven at 40–50°C for 30–60 seconds to dry it out.
  • Let it cool, then try peeling again — use a palette knife to gently ease up a corner, or bend back the backing sheet slightly.
  • Repeat if necessary. Alternatively, use a hair dryer on a low setting.
💡 Tip: in hot or humid weather, work with your icing sheets early in the morning straight from the zip-loc bag, and keep the finished cake cool until it's time to serve.

Printed colours on icing sheets may appear a few shades different from the original image on screen — this is completely normal and is usually not very noticeable. We use the best software, printers, and icing sheets available and our customers regularly comment on the high print quality compared to other suppliers they have used.

The quality of the printed image also depends on the quality of the original — if an image looks pixelated or blurry on screen, this will be reflected in the printed result. We always do our best to adjust colour and brightness for the best possible outcome.

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Wafer Paper Cake Toppers


Wafer paper (also called rice paper) is a thin, edible paper made from potato starch, water, and vegetable oil. It is neutral in taste, very lightweight, and widely used in cake decorating for edible prints, flowers, ruffles, and toppers.


Yes, wafer paper is 100% edible. It has a very light, slightly crispy texture and a neutral, almost tasteless flavour — making it an excellent canvas for edible printing without affecting the taste of your cake.


For a flat application, lightly brush the back of the wafer paper with a small amount of piping gel, edible glue, or clear alcohol, then gently press it onto your fondant or buttercream surface. Work from the centre outward to avoid creases. Wafer paper can also be shaped, curled, or layered for decorative 3D effects.


Yes! Wafer paper works well on buttercream. Simply press the wafer paper gently onto a chilled, set buttercream surface — it will adhere naturally without needing additional glue. Avoid pressing too hard to prevent tearing.


Wafer paper is thinner, lighter, and crispier with a more neutral taste. Icing sheets produce a superior print quality — colours are more vibrant and true-to-life, and they conform better to curved surfaces. Icing sheets are the preferred choice for photo-quality prints on cakes and cupcakes, while wafer paper is better suited for artistic, textured, or 3D decorative work.


Wafer paper can absorb moisture and soften over time, especially on wet surfaces. For best results, apply it shortly before display or serving, and keep the finished cake in a cool, dry environment. Avoid refrigerating cakes with wafer paper decorations unless absolutely necessary.


Yes! Wafer paper cuts easily with scissors or a craft knife, making it ideal for custom shapes, silhouettes, and intricate designs. You can also use shaped punches or cutting machines (such as Cricut) to create precise decorations.


Store unused wafer paper flat in a sealed bag or airtight container, away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Wafer paper absorbs humidity quickly, so proper storage is essential to keep it crisp and usable.


Wafer paper is typically free from gluten, dairy, and nuts — but always check the specific product listing for full allergen information, as manufacturing environments can vary. Our product pages include detailed ingredient and allergen details.

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Copyright & Image Guidelines


Our service is based on personalisation and creative printing. Any fee charged covers the time, preparation, and production of your edible image for one-time personal use.

We do not claim ownership of any characters, logos, or graphics used in designs. All such elements remain the property of their respective copyright holders.

By submitting an image, you confirm that you have the right or permission to use it. We are not responsible for any copyright or trademark issues arising from customer-supplied content.

If you believe any image has been used in a way that infringes copyright, please contact us and we will promptly review and remove it where necessary.


The final print quality depends heavily on the image you provide. For the best results, we recommend using clear, high-resolution images.

If an image appears pixelated, blurred, or low quality on your screen, this will be reflected in the printed result. While we do our best to adjust colour and brightness, we are not able to increase image resolution or restore missing detail.

Where possible, we will contact you if an image is not suitable, or try to source a better version. However, responsibility for the final image quality remains with the customer.


Printed colours may vary slightly from what you see on screen. This is due to differences between digital displays and edible printing processes. In most cases, the variation is minimal and not very noticeable.

We use high-quality edible inks, printers, and materials to achieve the best possible result.

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Still have questions?

Our team is here to help you create the perfect cake for any occasion.