Color Mixing

Color is an important part of any cake design. Whether you are trying to create the perfect shade to deliver a theme or match a specific color for a consumer, getting it right is crucial. That’s where the art of mixing color comes in. Our cake decorating and color pros are here with tips to ensure you get perfectly colored icing every time.

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Test The Color

Quickly test how a color will look when diluted. Just place one drop in a cup of water and stir. You’ll instantly see the color’s hue and get an idea of what it will look like in icing.

PLAN & MIX EARLY

Buttercream has a tendency to darken while the color is absorbed. Mix it a day ahead of time, and slightly lighter than your desired shade to allow it to deepen to the perfect hue.

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Get To Know Color

Did you know you can use a sheet cake board like a painter’s palette? Mix color in small amounts of icing to see how each color reacts with different types of icing, as well as how much color to use to achieve your desired hues.

Paste Delivers Dark Color

Too much liquid gel color tastes bitter and makes icing hard to use. Instead use Gel Paste. You will use less to get your desired color.

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Play With Color

Use your cake board palette when mixing two colors. Mix each color with a little icing first, then mix equal parts of those two icings together. Play with color until your desired shade comes through.

FOLD, DON'T STIR

Achieve the best results with whipped icing by folding the color into cold—right out of the refrigerator—batches instead of stirring.

Color Varies By Topping

Buttercream

Because of the shortening base, buttercream has a tendency to darken over time. If you plan on doing a lot of reds for Christmas or blacks for Halloween, mixing your colors a day ahead of time will intensify your colors, allowing you to use less color.

NON-DAIRY WHIPPED

In non-dairy whipped topping gel or paste colors both work. All colors have a tendency to bleed in because the primary ingredient is water. A little goes a long way. It's best to use lighter colors and avoid any black or intense colors when making whipped topping decorations. Airbrushing will darken colors more than trying to color the product all the way through.

Fondant

Fondant absorbs color more than buttercream and will have slightly different recipes than spreadable icings. The water test will help in learning what ratios you need to make your desired color. As with buttercream, coloring fondant the day before and wrapping tightly will help the color to mature and you will use less color. Gel or paste colors are best for fondant.

Seasonal Color Palettes

A color for every season & holiday! Ensure your cake case grabs the attention of consumers for the different holiday seasons—add a drop of color. Identified by color trend experts, here are the must-have colors.

PREMIUM GEL COLORS

The most popular and versatile type of color, gel color provides the intensity of a paste without the mess. Mixes well into buttercream, fondant and non-dairy whipped icing. 8 fl. oz. Manufactured in the U.S.A.

BLACK #22492

WHITENER #9511

IVORY #22493

PRINCESS PINK #22494

ROSE PINK #22495

NEON BRIGHT PINK #22496

RED RED #22497

SUPER RED #22498

BURGUNDY WINE #22499

NEON BRIGHT ORANGE #22500

SUNSET ORANGE #22501

GOLDEN YELLOW #22502

SUNFLOWER YELLOW #24113

LEMON YELLOW #22503

NEON BRIGHT GREEN #22504

GRASS GREEN #22505

LEAF GREEN #22506

OLIVE GREEN #22507

TEAL GREEN #22508

ROYAL BLUE #22509

SKY BLUE #22510

NAVY BLUE #22511

VIOLET #22512

PURPLE #23636

PREMIUM GEL TREND COLORS

NEON BRIGHT PURPLE #22513

BROWN #22514

Exclusive to DecoPac, pre-mixed, ready-to-use colors in today’s hottest shades. 4 fl. oz. Manufactured in the U.S.A.

GOLDEN BROWN #26796

MAUVE #24513

TOURMALINE #21399

GUAVA #22516

BURGUNDY #49994

FIRESTONE #21396

LIME GREEN #22519

DUSTY MERMAID #22524

ELECTRIC BLUE #22521

SAPPHIRE #21397

STONE GRAY #22523

ALL-NATURAL GEL COLORS

Exceptional colors made from all-natural ingredients. Ideal use in fondant and buttercream icing. For prolonged shelf-life, refrigerate after opening. Restore to room temperature before use. 2 fl. oz. Manufactured in the U.S.A.

PREMIUM CANDY COLORS

An oil-soluble formulation for white chocolate and other high-fat mediums with brilliant results. 2 fl. oz. Manufactured in the U.S.A.

COLOR WHEEL

#27797 Decorating Tools

1/Pkg

Create top trend colors with our easy-to-use color wheel! Spin for your desired trend color recipe.

ROTATING BOTTLE RACK FOR COLORS

#39803 Decorating Tools

1/Pkg – 14" dia. × 18.5" h

Two levels tall, chrome-plated metal rack holds 22 8-oz. bottles. Does not include bottles.

PREMIUM AIRBRUSH COLORS

Specially formulated for airbrush systems to prevent clogging. Easy application to the surface of buttercream or whipped icing, fondant and gum paste decorations. Save time with convenient, consistent colors that deliver the shades consumers want. 8 fl. oz. Manufactured in the U.S.A.

MIDNIGHT

PRINCESS

SUPER

PREMIUM AIRBRUSH TREND COLORS

Exclusive to DecoPac, ready-to-use, pre-mixed colors in today’s hottest hues. 4 fl. oz. Manufactured in the U.S.A.

MAUVE

TOURMALINE

BURGUNDY

FIRESTONE

EMERALD

DUSTY

EGGPLANT

SHIMMER AIRBRUSH COLORS

Specially formulated for airbrush systems to prevent clogging. Easy application to the surface of buttercream or whipped icing, fondant and gum paste decorations. Save time with convenient, consistent colors that deliver the shades consumers want. 4 fl. oz. Manufactured in the U.S.A.

Premium

A very concentrated formula, paste works best for projects that require deep color. Mix with icings or piping gels in small amounts to achieve the desired shade. 16 fl. oz. Manufactured in the U.S.A.

Pre-colored and easy to apply. Easily meltable for quick application. Hardens with a matte finish like chocolate with a vanilla flavor.