Sweet business idea elevates celebration cakes

After enjoying 8 months as a stay at home mum, Catherine Grayson decided to investigate business ideas that would allow her to spend more time with her children and husband. 

“Being my own boss was certainly something I wanted to do because I really loved the time with my kids,” she said.

“I've always had a passion for cake decorating. As my friends and family would know, I love to bake. As a little girl, I loved watching my mum and grandma cook, and helping them when I could.

“Cakes have always been a big part of my life and I thought, why not do something different and create memorable images for celebration cakes?

“I had previously ordered edible images for celebration cakes for my kids, but there was not a supplier on the Sunshine Coast,” Catherine explained. 

“So my husband suggested that I look into it as a business option. I could see the potential business opportunity here, being local and able to offer same day delivery if needed.”  

In February this year, Catherine started SweetInk Images, a printing service that provides custom edible images to be used on celebration cakes, cupcakes and biscuits, even cocktail wafers. 

“If you can think outside the box, I can create it,” said Catherine. 

“I trialled the concept on my nephew’s 21st birthday cake, with a beautiful photo of him when he was five, and printed it along with some text, to go on his birthday cake. Everybody absolutely loved it. It was really special.” 

Catherine uses a standard Epson Printer with edible ink and edible paper to print images for her customers.

“I have found an incredible local baker who bakes the most delicious biscuits and we have teamed up to provide our customers with an edible product that can be customised. 

“I can do celebratory prints for occasions from milestone birthdays to weddings, engagements, anniversaries, baby showers, bridal showers and children’s parties,” she said.

“In the past couple of months, I have been approached by a number of larger organisations to produce their company logo for their PR meetings, and this product has all types of applications in a corporate setting. I couldn't be happier.” 

You can follow Catherine's Business SweetInk Images on her Instagram account @sweetink2023, or on Facebook at Sweetink Images.

Catherine Grayson “If you can think outside the box, I can create it.”