Whether you call it conditioning wafer paper, making the wafer paper flexible, or making it softer and more pliable, it’s all about making it easier to work with without damaging it.
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What is conditioning wafer paper?
Conditioning wafer paper is basically adding moisture to it in a controlled way to make it less dry, less likely to crack, and easier to work with.
Wafer paper isn’t real paper, it’s a sheet of starch, so it’s highly sensitive to moisture in the air. If the humidity is low it can dry out and crack easily. Conditioning it will make it more pliable and you’ll be able to work with it without damaging it as easily.
Wafer paper can be conditioned in a few different ways, but all involve adding either water or oil to it.
Since those are both ingredients in the paper itself, adding oils and water is basically just altering the formula of the paper to adjust how soft it is.
For my Complete Guide To Wafer Paper, click here.
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- Wafer paper, white or colored
- Silicone flower center molds
- Petal veiners
- Petal dust
- Floral wire
- Tylose glue
- Fluffy paintbrushes
- Flower former
- Craft scissors
- Liquid Food Coloring
- Food-grade glycerin to make wafer paper conditioner
- Corn starch
- Flower paper punches
- Steamer to shape wafer paper
How to soften wafer paper
The fastest way to soften wafer paper is to use steam. If a piece of paper is too dry it will crack when you cut out shapes, and you won’t be able to fold it without cracking the folded edge.
To soften the paper with steam, either use a clothing steamer or a pot of boiling water to create the steam, then hold the dry wafer paper in the steam.
You’ll need to move the paper around in order to avoid melting it, because applying steam directly to the paper can make it warp, and can cause bubbles to form on the surface if it absorbs the water vapor too quickly.
Moving the paper around in the steam will allow the vapor to be absorbed slowly into the paper without causing bubbles to form.
If the air is dry and the paper is cracking, this is the fastest way to soften the wafer paper. You can also use steam to manipulate wafer paper flowers and leaves and make them turn and twist into curved shapes that are more natural-looking than just the flat shapes.
Another way to soften wafer paper with water vapor is to make a “conditioning box” for your paper that will allow it to absorb humidity slowly.
A normally humid environment is ideal for wafer paper, so creating what amounts to a humidor for the paper will keep it pliable and less likely to crack.
To create this type of conditioning box, you can use any plastic container that has a lid and is large enough to give you at least a 1″ clearance around the paper itself when it’s put in the box. So if the paper is 9×11″, the box should be around 11×13″.
It can be a bit smaller than a 1″ clearance, but you want to make sure that you have enough room for the paper to be separated from the moisture source.
To create a wafer paper conditioning box:
- Get a plastic box with a lid that lets you put the paper into the box flat with a clearance around the edges.
- Cut tinfoil or corrugated plastic (the best option) that’s a little larger than the wafer paper to use as a divider between the wafer paper and the moisture source. If you’re using tinfoil it should be several layers thick and totally free from tears in it.
- Put some wadded-up wet paper towels (not dripping wet, damp is fine) in the bottom of the box.
- Put the board or tinfoil on top of the paper towels, making sure that the towels are completely under the divider.
- Place the wafer paper on top of the divider, making sure that the paper doesn’t directly touch the wet paper towels.
- Close the lid of the box and let the moisture from the wet paper towels disperse into the box over time. The paper will absorb the water and soften over time. Keep an eye on it to make sure that it doesn’t get too wet!
- Tips for the divider- Make sure the divider is completely preventing the wafer paper from touching the wet towels. If you make the divider out of tinfoil, you might want to form a little edge around the base of it to keep the wafer paper from sliding around inside the box.
How to make wafer paper flexible
Another way to condition wafer paper is to use oil-based materials that won’t melt the paper and will absorb into it and soften it without using water. Since vegetable oil is another ingredient in wafer paper it’s another way to basically change the formula and make it more flexible.
One simple way to use an oily ingredient to wafer paper is to rub shortening into the surface. It will absorb in eventually and the paper will end up softer and easier to bend and fold if that’s what you need to do with the paper.
The shortening might have to take some time to sink into the paper, and in the meantime it can be a little hard to color evenly, so let it dry out a bit before using powder colors on it.
Another conditioning material that you can use is glycerine, which is a liquid that softens and moisturizes the paper. It’s an ingredient in many different wafer paper conditioning sprays, and there’s no need to purchase those because you can make it yourself at home!
This recipe has glycerine and gelatin in it, and is a good DIY liquid that you can make to use on wafer paper for flexibility:
Wafer paper conditioner recipe:
- 1 Package gelatin (1 scant Tbsp)
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 2 Tbsp glycerine
Bloom the gelatin in the water and melt in a microwave on high using 15-second bursts. Add the glycerine when the gelatin is totally melted. Brush it onto wafer paper in a thin coat and let it dry. Don’t put on too much or it can buckle the paper. If the paper is too sticky after applying it, reduce the glycerine a little. How much glycerine you need will be affected by the humidity where you are.
When this mixture dries on the paper it can still be a little sticky, so if you want to brush it with cornstarch, that will reduce the tacky surface. It can change the color of the paper a little, though, so try not to do that unless it’s necessary.
This liquid makes the paper so flexible, it can be crumpled up and flattened out again, so it’s perfect for making ruffles or drapes out of the paper that can then be attached to the cake and dry in place.
Because it has gelatin in it, it eventually becomes semi-solid. You can put the unused portion in the refrigerator, then melt it in the microwave when you need to use it again.
Piping gel as a wafer paper conditioner
Piping gel is a clear edible glue that can also be used to make wafer paper more flexible. Brushing the paper with piping gel hydrates it but also keeps it from melting because of the other ingredients in it.
You can use piping gel to attach wafer paper strips together when you wrap a cake, or to attach wafer paper flowers to a cake that’s covered in fondant. It stays a little more flexible than corn syrup or other edible glues do, but it will eventually dry and be fairly stiff. Use it to create wafer paper shapes that will dry but that can be shaped while it’s wet.
Piping Gel Recipe
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
Combine water and cornstarch in a heat-proof container like a Pyrex measuring cup. Whisk until no lumps remain. Whisk in the corn syrup until combined. Microwave for 2-3 minutes on high, (or heat over medium heat on the stove) stopping every minute to stir. The mixture will bubble up and boil before thickening to the consistency of hair gel. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. Add a small amount of water if it gets too thick. Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to three months.
