Decorate Graduation Cakes and Cookies with Way to Go Grad Stencils
Celebrate the Class of 2025 with coordinated graduation cakes and cookies using our Way to Go Grad Cake and Cookie Stencils. These designs work beautifully with airbrushing, royal icing, or buttercream, making them perfect for bakeries, home decorators, and special celebrations.
Below is a step-by-step tutorial showing how to use these stencils on both cakes and cookies. We airbrushed our designs, but the same stencil techniques apply to other decorating methods.
🎓 Be sure to watch the full video tutorial for a visual walkthrough!
Tools & Supplies Used
- Air Genie Airbrush
- Way to Go Grad Cake Stencil
- Way to Go Grad Cookie Stencil
- DecoPac Airbrush Food Coloring in Midnight black
- Plastic Bottle with Dropper Tip
- Cookie Magnets
- Vegetable shortening
- Sewing pins
- Chopstick, wooden skewer, or scribe tool
- Stencil Genie (for cookies)
- Plastic wrap (saran wrap)
How to Stencil a Graduation Cake
1. Prep the Cake Stencil
Spread a thin layer of vegetable shortening on the back of your cake stencil.
This helps the stencil details stay flat and flush against the cake, especially on curved surfaces.
2. Attach the Stencil to the Cake
Wrap the stencil around the side of your fondant-covered cake, making sure it’s fully in contact with the surface.
While holding the stencil in place, insert sewing pins through the four corners of the design. This keeps the stencil secure and prevents lifting while airbrushing.
3. Protect the Rest of the Cake
Cover the remaining areas of the cake with plastic wrap to protect it from overspray.
Even careful airbrushing can result in stray mist, so this step is key for a clean finish.
4. Test Your Airbrush
Before decorating the cake, load your airbrush with color and test the airflow on a paper towel.
Make sure the spray is smooth and even before moving to the cake.
5. Airbrush the Design
Hold your airbrush about 6–8 inches from the cake.
Use a chopstick or skewer in your other hand to gently hold down any stencil areas that lift due to the curve of the cake.
Apply the food coloring in light, circular motions, starting with the first coat.
6. Apply a Second Light Coat
After the first coat, apply a second light layer of color from the opposite direction to ensure even coverage.
⚠️ Tip: Avoid over-airbrushing. Too much color can pool, bead up, and bleed under the stencil. Stop as soon as full coverage is achieved.
7. Remove the Stencil
Remove the plastic wrap first and set it aside.
Place one hand on the stencil as you carefully remove the sewing pins. Peel the stencil gently around the cake and lift it away completely.
Allow the design to dry for 5–10 minutes before repeating on another side of the cake. Rinse the stencil between uses.
8. Patch Pin Holes
Once both sides of the cake are stenciled, use a tapered baker’s spatula to smooth and patch any small holes left by the sewing pins.
Your graduation cake is now complete and ready to match your cookies!
How to Stencil Graduation Cookies
1. Set Up the Stencil
Place the cookie under the Stencil Genie, centering the design.
Use cookie magnets around the edges to hold the stencil flat against the cookie surface.
2. Airbrush the Cookies
Hold the airbrush straight down and apply the color in 2–3 light coats, just as you did on the cake.
Always remove the cookie magnets before lifting the stencil and moving to the next cookie.
Perfect Graduation Cake & Cookies
With just a few light coats of airbrushed color and the right stencil setup, you can create polished, professional-looking graduation cakes and cookies every time.
🎓 Perfect for parties, dessert tables, bakeries, and gift orders!
Be sure to explore Confection Couture Stencils for more graduation designs, tutorials, and decorating inspiration — and don’t forget to watch the full video below.