Wallace, you can use dusts. On my last cake posted, “Oriental Silk”… I used wafer paper for the peacock feathers. I airbrushed those, prior to cutting them out, but I layered the colours, and let it dry between coats, to prevent the wafer from getting too wet. I just used a light dab of water to stick together… but some people use piping gel….
http://cakesdecor.com/cakes/127659-oriental-silk
This is not the best example you will find, but I used dust to colour the centre of my ranunculas on this cake (no problem with it staying put):
http://cakesdecor.com/cakes/110949-tequila-sunrise
Stevi Auble has absolutely gorgeous cakes, and uses wafer in many ways…
Julez, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Allways-Cakes/450634018350115?ref=hl