<p>I would like to print edible cookies or ornamentation for a cake.</p>

<p>Is printing with edible materials achievable by standard thermoplastic-like 3D desktop printer? Or you need to buy a special printer to do that?</p>

[{'answer_id': 173, 'author': 'Daniel M.', 'author_id': 156, 'author_profile': 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/156', 'pm_score': 3, 'selected': False, 'text': '<p>You can, but that doesn\'t mean it\'s very easy.</p>\n\n<p>You don\'t have to buy a special printer, but you need a special extruder (such as <a href="http://www.structur3d.io/" rel="noreferrer">http://www.structur3d.io/</a>). Most of these systems can print anything with the consistency of Nutella. However, many parts of the printer may not be food safe.</p>\n\n<p>Another option (if you simply want 2d designs) is something like the <a href="http://www.pancakebot.com/" rel="noreferrer">PancakeBot</a>. It can probably also "print" with anything that has the same consistency of pancake batter.</p>\n'}, {'answer_id': 174, 'author': 'Tormod Haugene', 'author_id': 115, 'author_profile': 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/115', 'pm_score': 4, 'selected': True, 'text': '<p>You cannot print edible models using a "standard" consumer 3D printer without first installing an "hot end" capable of depositing edible - normally thicker - substances as well as a suitable extruder mechanism. </p>\n\n<p>However, there are not necessarily any technical limitations in the electronics, software, slicers etc. in a typical printer that wouldn\'t allow you to install such an upgrade. For instance, you could calibrate your extrusion rate and nozzle width to suit batter and similar.</p>\n\n<p>Some commercial printers, such as the <a href="http://www.personalfab.it/en/products/deltawasp-20-40/" rel="noreferrer">DeltaWASP</a> allow for upgrades that print clay, which wouldn\'t be very different from printing liquid food.</p>\n'}, {'answer_id': 179, 'author': 'tbm0115', 'author_id': 98, 'author_profile': 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/98', 'pm_score': 3, 'selected': False, 'text': '<p>MakerBot Industries had a mod available for their early open source machines called the <a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1143" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Frostruder</a>. It was basically a syringe connected to your print head. I saw this in action at the University of Washington a long time ago. Check out the legacy <a href="https://depts.washington.edu/open3dp/2014/12/3d-printed-cookies-more-printable-recipes-frostrusion-walkthrough/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">ReplicatorG in action</a>!</p>\n\n<p>I like to relate 3D printing as "A hot glue gun on rails". The beauty is that a lot of the home machines can easily be almost anything on rails.</p>\n\n<p>So, you could always try to 3D print a solution of your own. Please keep in mind any federal regulations on food processing materials (ie ABS is not recommended for most food applications).</p>\n'}]
['https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/171', 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com', 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/20/']