5 Steps for Sketching Custom Cakes

1. Understand the Client’s NeedsGather details about the event, design preferences, and dietary requirements.
2. Sketch the Cake StructureOutline tier sizes, decorations, and support placements for stability.
3. Add DecorationsInclude key design elements, personalised text, and decorative details.
4. Refine and Add ColourFinalise your sketch with clean lines, shading, and accurate colours.
5. Confirm and CreatePresent the design to your client for approval before baking and decorating.

Tools You’ll Need:

• Traditional: Sketch pad, pencils, ruler, and eraser.
• Digital: Drawing tablet, stylus, and design software.

Quick Tip:

Use platforms like Instagram and Pinterest for design inspiration and reference top patisseries like Le Sud Patisserie for ideas on balancing aesthetics and practicality.

This guide ensures your custom cake designs are clear, creative, and aligned with your client’s vision.

How to Design a Cake with Cake Templates

Step 1: Research and Client Requirements

Before picking up your sketching tools, thorough research and clear communication are key. Understanding current design trends and your client’s specific needs ensures your sketch aligns with their expectations.

Finding Design Ideas

Social media platforms are treasure troves of cake design inspiration. Use them to create organised collections based on style, occasion, or technique. Here are some go-to platforms and strategies:

Top-tier patisseries like are great examples of how modern cake designs can incorporate dietary needs without losing their visual charm. Their portfolio is a masterclass in balancing practicality and aesthetics, offering valuable insights for sketching designs that meet diverse requirements.

Client Brief and Requirements

A detailed client consultation is crucial for creating accurate sketches. Use these focus areas to guide your discussion:

• Event DetailsAsk about the event date, venue, number of servings, budget, and whether they prefer delivery or collection.
• Design PreferencesDiscuss the colour scheme, theme, and overall style (e.g., modern, classic, rustic). Find out about any must-have design elements and gather reference images they admire.
• Dietary RequirementsIdentify any food allergies, intolerances, or dietary preferences (like vegan or gluten-free). Also, ask about cultural or religious considerations that might influence the design.

Document everything during the consultation and confirm the details with your client. Having a standardised form can help you stay organised. Include space for quick thumbnail sketches to capture any initial ideas that come up during the discussion.

Step 2: Drawing the Base Structure

Once you've gathered all the client details, it's time to sketch the cake's foundation. This step lays the groundwork for the detailed decorations you'll add later.

Cake Size and Tiers

Start by accurately measuring and outlining the cake's size and tier structure using metric measurements. Here's how to create a clear base:

• Draw a horizontal line to represent the cake board.
• Add a vertical centre line to maintain symmetry.
• Sketch each tier to scale, ensuring consistency.
• Mark where supports like dowels will go to keep the cake stable.

Planning Decoration Areas

Next, think about how the decorations will be arranged, focusing on balance, key focal points, and the techniques you'll use:

• Use a grid overlay to divide the cake into distinct decoration zones.
• Highlight the front as the main focal area, with side designs that complement it.
• Assign specific zones for techniques like smooth piping or textured details.

With this framework in place, you're ready to move on to designing the standout features in the next step.

Step 3: Sketching Decorations

With the base ready, it's time to add decorative elements that reflect your client's vision.

Main Design Elements

Start by sketching the key features to create a balanced design that focuses on the client:

• Use light strokes to outline major elements like flowers or themed motifs.
• Build layers, starting with background patterns before moving to foreground details.
• Keep the cake's purpose and occasion in mind when choosing design elements.

Stick to a consistent drawing style, especially when working on detailed designs. As shown by Le Sud Patisserie, it's possible to meet dietary needs without compromising the visual appeal. Once the main features are sketched, move on to text and custom additions.

Text and Custom Details

Plan personalised text and other custom details so they blend naturally with the overall design:

• Place text elements carefully within the designated decoration areas.
• Ensure the design flow - text should enhance, not overshadow, other decorative features.
• Mark spots for specific techniques like piping or fondant work.

Always refer back to the client brief to make sure every custom feature has a clear purpose.

Step 4: Completing the Design

Refining Your Sketch

After drafting the main elements, refine your sketch to make it clearer and more polished. Use a kneaded eraser to clean up extra pencil marks without damaging the paper. Focus on areas where lines intersect or overlap, ensuring the boundaries of each tier are well-defined.

Strengthen the key lines while keeping the proportions intact:

• Apply medium pressure for the main design elements.
• Use lighter strokes for decorative details.
• Keep tier measurements visible for reference.

Remove any smudges or stray marks. If you're working on multiple sketches showing different views of the cake, ensure the proportions stay consistent across all drawings. Once the sketch is refined, start visualising the design by adding colour and shading.

Adding Colour and Shading

Adding colour helps bring your design to life and makes your intentions clear. Use these techniques when applying colour:

• Build up intensity by layering colours lightly.
• Take note of specific colour codes or mixing ratios to ensure consistency.
• Use shading to highlight texture differences.

Break your shading process into these steps:

• Base colours: Lay down flat colours to establish the main palette.
• Shadows: Add depth to the tiers and decorative elements.
• Highlights: Use lighter tones to create dimension on raised areas.
• Texture details: Represent finishes like metallic effects or pearl dust.

For metallic or other special finishes, include clear notes about the products required. If your design involves fondant, indicate where different textures or techniques will be applied by varying the shading style.

Think of your sketch as a technical blueprint. While artistic touches are important, clarity is the priority. Every shading and colour choice should make it easier to understand the final design.

Step 5: From Sketch to Cake

With your polished sketch in hand, it’s time to turn your design into a real, edible masterpiece.

Tools and Techniques You’ll Need

Transforming your sketch into a cake requires careful planning and the right tools. Gather everything necessary to match your design:

For structure:

• Measuring tools: Digital scales accurate to 1g, metric rulers, and cake sizing templates.
• Levelling tools: Spirit level and cake leveller.
• Support materials: Cake boards for each tier, sized 5cm larger than the cake’s diameter.

For colours:

• Food colourings: Gel-based for fondant and powdered for metallic effects.
• Mixing containers: Clear containers to ensure accurate colour matching.
• Colour reference: Use your sketch as a guide for comparison.

At Le Sud Patisserie, bakers follow a systematic approach to replicate sketch details:

• Scale the sketch measurements to actual cake dimensions.
• Create templates for intricate decorative features.
• Test colours on spare fondant pieces to ensure accuracy.
• Take photos during the process to compare progress with the original sketch.

Confirming the Design with Your Client

Before starting production, confirm all details with your client to avoid surprises.

Present your finalised sketch along with key details:

• Exact measurements for each tier.
• Colour swatches for approval.
• Texture samples, if relevant.
• A timeline for completion.
• Storage and handling instructions.

Use a checklist to document client feedback and approvals:

Once approved, provide a detailed cost breakdown and production schedule. Keep all documentation handy to ensure a smooth transition from concept to creation. This process ensures the final cake stays true to your original vision.

Conclusion: Next Steps in Cake Sketching

Main Points Review

To improve your cake sketching skills, focus on honing these key areas: scaling, shading, notation, and colour application. Begin with simple shapes and gradually move to more intricate designs. Here's what to work on:

• Accurate metric scaling and detailed specifications
• Shading techniques to depict texture and depth
• Realistic use of colours to bring designs to life

Mastering these basics will set a strong foundation for further development.

Learning Resources

Ready to take your skills to the next level? Check out these resources:

Online Learning PlatformsPlatforms like the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology and local technical institutes offer short courses on cake decoration and design. You can also find workshops hosted by professional cake decorating associations.

Practical ExperienceLe Sud Patisserie offers immersive workshops where you can practise advanced sketching techniques under the guidance of skilled pastry chefs. These courses focus on turning design ideas into finished cakes, with attention to dietary needs and regional flavour trends.

Essential Reference MaterialsStay organised and track your progress with these tools:

These resources and practices will help you refine your skills and build confidence in your cake sketching journey.

Order Custom Cakes in Auckland - www.lesud.co.nz

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