Edible Food Paints

Part of our Edible Glitter & Cake Decorating Dust collection.

Edible Paint for Cakes — What's in This Collection

Edible food paint is a ready-to-use liquid or semi-liquid medium used to hand-paint decorations directly onto cakes, cookies, fondant, chocolates and more. Unlike lustre dust mixed with alcohol (which you prepare yourself), edible paint comes pre-mixed and ready to brush on — making it faster and more consistent for detailed work.

The collection includes:

• Colour Mill Matte Paint Blend — flat, opaque colour in 18 shades
• Colour Mill Metallic Paint Blend — rich metallic finish in 10 shades
• Mixing mediums and rose spirit for DIY edible paint mixing
• Aluminium paint palettes and brushes

Colour Mill Matte Paint Blend

The Colour Mill Matte Paint Blend is a water-based edible paint in a 20ml jar ($9.95 each) — ready-to-use, opaque, and non-shiny. Ideal for hand-painted geometric designs, flat colour blocking, outlining, and any design where you want solid colour without shimmer. Available in 18 colours: Baby Blue, Baby Pink, Black, Candy Pink, Chocolate Brown, Cobalt Blue, Green, Lavender, Lemon Yellow, Lime Green, Mint Green, Orange, Peach, Purple, Red, Sky Blue, White and Yellow.

Apply with a fine brush to fondant, gum paste or dried royal icing. The matte finish gives a clean, modern look — popular for marble effects, terrazzo designs, abstract brushstroke cakes, and illustrated cookies.

Colour Mill Metallic Paint Blend

The Colour Mill Metallic Paint Blend is a 20ml jar ($10.95 each) of ready-to-use edible metallic paint — no mixing needed. Each colour delivers a smooth, lustrous metallic finish straight from the jar. Available in 10 shades: Bronze, Butter, Champagne, Charcoal, Glamour (gold), Gun Metal, Imperial (deep gold/bronze), Porcelain White, Rose Gold and Sterling (silver).

Use on fondant, gum paste, chocolate, macarons and cookies for a high-end metallic look. Gold edible paint (Glamour and Imperial) and silver (Sterling) are the most popular for wedding cakes, anniversary cakes and luxury dessert tables. Rose Gold is a standout for bridal and birthday applications.

Colour Mill metallic paints are self-levelling — brush them on and they dry to a smooth, even sheen without brush marks when applied correctly.

Mixing Mediums & Accessories

For decorators who prefer to mix their own edible paint from lustre dust or petal dust, we also stock:

• Sprinks Paint Base ($9.95) — a non-alcohol mixing medium. Mix with any edible dust to create custom edible paint. Good option if you prefer to avoid alcohol or need a thicker consistency.
• Sprinks Cake Decorators Rose Spirit 100ml ($9.95) — the traditional mixing medium for metallic lustre dust paints. Rose spirit evaporates quickly, leaving a smooth metallic finish. Also used to thin pre-mixed edible paints if needed.
• Colour Mill Bakers Booze 50ml ($6.95) — a food-grade clear alcohol for mixing edible dusts into paint, thinning edible paints, and cleaning brushes mid-session.
• Loyal Aluminium Paint Palettes 2pc ($10.95) — flat metal palettes for mixing colours, diluting paints, and keeping your workspace clean.
• Flat Tip Nylon Brushes 3pcs ($14.95) — for broad strokes, flat colour washes and geometric designs.
• Angled Tip Nylon Brushes 2pcs ($5.99) — for clean lines, lettering, borders and fine detail work.

What Can You Paint Edible Food Paint On?

Colour Mill edible paints work on a wide range of surfaces:

• Fondant — smooth fondant takes edible paint well, especially when slightly dry. Freshly covered fondant may smear.
• Gum paste and modelling paste — excellent adhesion and vivid colour results.
• Cookies with royal icing — once the royal icing is fully dry (ideally 24 hours), edible paint sits cleanly on the surface.
• Macarons — metallic edible paint on macarons is a popular technique for elegant event styling.
• Chocolate — apply metallic paint to set chocolate for a luxury finish on bonbons, bars and cakes.
• Wafer paper — excellent for detailed illustrations and hand-painted edible art.

Not recommended on fresh or wet buttercream — the water content prevents adhesion. For shimmering buttercream finishes, use a glitter spray instead.

Edible Paint vs Lustre Dust Mixed with Alcohol — Which Should I Use?

	Ready-to-use edible paint	Lustre dust + rose spirit/alcohol
Preparation	None — straight from the jar	Mix to desired consistency each time
Consistency	Pre-calibrated, reliable	Depends on ratios — takes practice
Colour range	Fixed range of 28 colours	Mix any lustre dust colour
Best for	Speed, consistency, beginners	Custom colours, professional mixers
Cost	$9.95–$10.95 per colour	Lower per use once you have dust + medium

Frequently Asked Questions

What is edible paint made of?

Colour Mill edible paints are water-based, using food-approved colourants and food-safe binding agents. They are free from solvents and safe for consumption on cakes and other edible decorations. Always check product labels for allergen information.

Can I use edible paint on chocolate?

Yes — edible metallic paint works well on set chocolate. Apply with a soft brush in smooth, even strokes and allow to dry fully. Avoid water-based paints on fresh chocolate as moisture can cause bloom. The Colour Mill Metallic Paint Blend is the recommended option for chocolate applications.

How do I get a smooth metallic finish with edible paint?

Apply in thin, even layers rather than one thick coat. Use a soft flat brush and work quickly in one direction. Allow each layer to dry before adding a second coat. If the paint is too thick, thin slightly with a drop of Bakers Booze or rose spirit. Two thin coats give a much smoother result than one thick application.

Can I mix Colour Mill matte and metallic paints together?

Yes — you can blend Colour Mill Matte and Metallic Paint Blends together to create custom shades or to tone down a metallic finish. Use an aluminium palette for mixing. Once mixed, use immediately as the consistency may change if left to sit.

Do I need a special brush for edible paint?

Edible paint works with most food-safe brushes. For detailed work, use a fine-pointed brush. For covering larger areas, a flat or fan brush gives better coverage. We stock flat tip and angled tip nylon brushes designed specifically for cake decorating. Always wash brushes thoroughly and dry before switching colours.

What other products pair with edible paint?

Edible paint pairs well with petal dust (for matte shading effects), lustre dust (for metallic touches mixed with rose spirit), edible food pens (for fine outlines and writing), fondant and silicone moulds. For a full shimmer finish on a cake rather than hand-painting, see our edible glitter sprays.