They generally produce a range of standard designs that can be personalised with a message or decoration, or decorate bespoke and novelty cakes to customers’ specific requirements.

While cake decorators specialise in the decoration process, some also bake the cakes themselves and others source ready-made cakes from bakeries and cake shops. However, much of their work involves creating bespoke cake designs for a specific customer or event. The art of decorating cakes is referred to in the trade as ‘sugarcraft’ and involves using fondant, chocolate, marzipan, icing and ganache to garnish cakes and create three-dimensional models.

Many cake decorators start up on a part-time basis, having previously developed their skills as a hobby, and often trade from a home-based kitchen or small catering unit.

Cake decorators typically supply to trade customers, such as cake makers, wedding planners, cake shops, bakeries, restaurants, catering services and event organisers. Some also accept occasional orders from consumers for celebration cakes such as for ‘milestone’ birthdays and anniversaries or create wedding cakes for couples.