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.

1 4

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.

2 5

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.

3 6

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.

PREMIUM GEL TREND COLORS

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

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

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

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.

PREMIUM AIRBRUSH TREND COLORS in the U.S.A.

Exclusive to DecoPac, ready-to-use, pre-mixed colors in today’s hottest hues.

Shimmer

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

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.