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How to Make Tylo Glue: Step-by-Step Tutorial

May 22, 2022 by Kristen Finley 67 Comments

This glue is perfect for all kinds of sugar work and it is very quick to make. Here you can see how to make Tylo glue.

DIY Tylo Glue: Easy Step-by-Step Tutorial

This is what you will need:

  • 1 tsp. of Tylo powder (CMC)
  • approx. 30 tsp. of boiled cooled water
  • 1 plastic container with a lid

Here are the steps:

  • Mix water and powder in the container.
  • Close with the lid and shake well, it will look lumpy at first.
  • Leave overnight so the Tylo will dissolve into a clear thick gel. It should be kept in the refrigerator and away from direct sunlight.
  • Change your tylo glue every second week

Note: you can add more cooled boiled water if it gets too thick.

Happy Caking

Louise

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nathaniel

    April 15, 2012 at 9:10 AM

    Hi Louise,
    I (am a male )live in India & i cannot get many things that you get there . Can the icing be used as the glue.

    Reply
    • Louise

      April 15, 2012 at 3:46 PM

      You can soften some of the icing/fondant with a few tsp of boiling water. Stir to soften/melt the icing and when it’s kinda liquid use it as glue.

      Reply
  2. Georgia

    January 14, 2012 at 8:58 PM

    Can you replace tylo powder with corn starch?

    Reply
    • Louise

      January 17, 2012 at 10:11 AM

      No, sorry. If you need an alternative to tylo to make edible glue. You can mix a little fondant with a little boiled water. This will give you a thin sticky glue that works just as good.

      Reply
  3. Aleshia

    October 24, 2011 at 5:31 AM

    I have been running around, desperately trying to find Tylose and/or CMC. I have had no luck whatsoever. I bought Guar gum and Xanthan gum. Can I use these as a substitute for Tylose or CMC? I really hope so.

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      October 24, 2011 at 9:36 AM

      I think that you can use both. They should both help as a thicken agent in the food industry. Try with a little fondant and see how it goes. Feedback much appreciated. Thank you.

      Reply
  4. Emmawalker

    September 26, 2011 at 1:22 PM

    I need to drape some fondant around a round cake (like draped folds) – do you think I should add tylo to the fondant and use tylo glue to secure it?? I’m worried that fondant on it’s own will crack?

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      September 26, 2011 at 9:22 PM

      I would use half gum paste and half fondant mixed to make the drapes. Too much tylo will cause cracks. Use tylo glue or piping gel to secure to the cake. Just remember to let the part where you’ve added the glue to get a little sticky before you place the drapes on top. Good luck 🙂

      Reply
  5. Mfeehally

    August 30, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    I have just bought typo as I was told I could harden my creation made with sugar paste but there are no quantities on the pack can u assist please

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      October 14, 2011 at 10:54 PM

      I never really use any specific amounts. I just take the amount of fondant. And sprinkle a little bit on my work board. You can after 5 minutes of kneading feel the different. If it’s a very large piece of fondant I would still add it in small amounts over time as it will thicken and harden after some time.

      Reply
  6. Anonymous

    July 5, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    Yes, you are right. Its 150 ml water or 5/8 cup 😉

    Reply
  7. iris

    April 22, 2011 at 2:47 AM

    where can i buy here Tylo powder in philippines

    Reply
    • Duellii

      May 5, 2011 at 4:06 AM

      Tylose is just a brand name of CMC (CarboxylMethyll Cellulose), so its really more expensive. You can just buy CMC FOOD GRADE at Chemical stores. If you don’t know one I can refer you to Alysons’ Chemical Enterprises, located at 1425 G. Araneta, SFDM, Q.C. Its near SM Savemore corner Del Monte and Araneta. You can by the CMC by 250 g.

      Reply
      • Srujanshilta

        June 12, 2011 at 6:17 PM

        Hello Duellii,

        I live in India and we donot get Tylose powder here. I have ytied using food grade CMC to make the gumpaste, it is however crumbling. Would it be possible for you to advise me the gumpaste receipe proportions using cmc. Appreciate all your help. My email id is [email protected].

      • Anonymous

        June 12, 2011 at 7:01 PM

        Try this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m–Djm74i8Q

    • Anonymous

      May 23, 2011 at 9:40 PM

      I don’t know, sorry. Hope that someone else can helps us out!

      Reply
  8. cguct1970

    December 15, 2010 at 9:22 AM

    hi louise,
    i had a problem using xhantan gum to my gumpaste flower. its really hard to kned n roll,either to cut and make flower , the outcome also no nice as i use taraganth gum. i use 1 tsp to 200gm icing sugar. plz get me the right ratio to use this xhantan gum although the taragant gum too hard to get in my place..tq

    Reply
  9. Alison

    August 13, 2010 at 6:05 AM

    Hi Louise,
    what a wonderful, informative site! Thank you so much for taking the same to share all your knowledge & information with us all. I am already addicted & it’s in my ‘favorites’.

    Reply
  10. Jasmine

    August 12, 2010 at 3:33 PM

    Hi Louise,
    I would like to check with u is it possible for me to replace the Tylo powder (CMC) with tragacanth gum when i make the edible glue? Means, 1 tsp. of tragacanth gum + approx. 30 tsp. of boiled cooled water = edible glue.
    What is the different between tylo powder and tragacanth gum? thanks….

    Reply
  11. ste

    July 26, 2010 at 5:15 PM

    hi louise is denture fix powder edible

    Reply
  12. duriancheesecake

    June 24, 2010 at 8:14 AM

    Sue, noting the date of your comment, this reply is extremely late. Still, hope it helps. In China, you can browse taobao for cake ingredient suppliers and you will surely find what you’re looking for. Good luck.

    Reply
  13. Louise

    June 20, 2010 at 11:21 PM

    lyzzie: Yes you can use gum tragacant too.

    Reply
  14. lyzzie

    June 13, 2010 at 3:50 PM

    Hola Louise the taylo is iaqual to gum tragacant

    Reply
  15. Louise

    May 24, 2010 at 8:39 PM

    Robyn: I dont recall using M&M’s on a cake? I only use tylo glue when it come to making figurines if it is flowers and so that needs to be glued on a cake I would use royal icing.

    Reply
  16. Robyn

    May 24, 2010 at 4:37 AM

    Did you use this Tylo glue to stick the m&m’s to your cand valentine cake? If not what did you use?

    Reply
  17. Louise

    November 3, 2009 at 12:07 PM

    madelaine: It is to prevent it from getting “mouldy” thats why its good to use boiled water and to keep it in the fridge. But if you use it daily you can just use tap water, but you will then have to change it oftenly.

    Sue: The only way would be to order it from overseas. I did get a reply from one, who just used dental powder as it should contain some gum additive. But I have NOT tried it myself.

    Reply
  18. sue

    November 2, 2009 at 1:56 PM

    hey louise,
    your website is AMAZING! im in love with all your ideas…just started experimenting with decorating and i’m wondering if you have any idea where i can pick up tylose powder in china or hongkong?im based in Shenzhen and im desperate to get some!
    Thanks!

    Reply
  19. madelaine

    October 26, 2009 at 10:44 PM

    hi louise,

    why do you have to boil water & let it cool? couldn’t i just use tap water or room temp filetered water?

    Reply
  20. Louise

    October 20, 2009 at 8:11 PM

    Tian-tian: No, you will not get the same result with rice flour. Try and look for it here:
    https://www.amazingcakesupplies.com/
    https://www.cakecraftshoppe.com/products.asp

    Reply
  21. Tian-tian

    October 18, 2009 at 4:15 AM

    Hi, i was wondering if you could use rice flour as a substitute for Tylo… if not, where could I get Tylo in Houston, TX?

    Reply
  22. Louise

    October 14, 2009 at 11:07 AM

    Kai: Tylo/tylose is the same only with different names. You should use thepaste immediately to make flowers/figurines because the powder will over a little time harden and thicken the paste. So always add it a little at a time. If you add to much it is hard to work with.

    You can read more here:https://thesugarlane.com/2009/05/12/whats-the-difference-tylose-powder-cmc-powder-trag-powder-gum-tex/

    Reply
  23. Kai

    October 14, 2009 at 5:50 AM

    Louise,
    I managed to get the stuff Finally! so happy =)
    I would like to ask, is there a difference between Tylo powder and Tylose powder? After kneading in the tylose powder, can i use the paste immediately to form flower etc or do i need to wait for it to dry?
    Thanks.

    Reply
  24. Sel

    October 12, 2009 at 1:42 AM

    Thank you Louise for your tips. Very much appreciate your generosity in sharing. Absolutely love the gorgeous little snail on your homepage today – one day I will have to attempt it… 🙂

    Reply
  25. Kai

    October 7, 2009 at 4:59 AM

    Hello Louise,
    Your tutorial is simple so beautiful crafted and i’m so in loved with each and everyone of it…however sad to say, i am based in Singapore and most of the ingredient seems to be hard to locate…does those UK online shop shipped the item to Singapore? It will be perfect if they do…

    Reply
  26. Louise

    October 5, 2009 at 8:44 PM

    Sel: It depends on how long you let them dry and what type of flowers you are making. I also like the way: 500gm fondant, 1-2 tsp tylo, 1 tsp eggwhite (pasturized) and 1 tsp of shortening. This makes a great paste for flower making and so but it does takes a little bit longer for the flowers to dry crunchy dry though. You can always try adding 1/2 tsp extra to your 250gm of fondant. Im sure that you can feel the difference when you work with the paste.

    Whenever I make flowers I always let them dry for days before use. So if you are in short time use a little more tylo this helps. Good luck 🙂

    Reply
  27. Sel

    October 1, 2009 at 2:38 PM

    Hello Louise
    I just started making fondant flowers and used sugar paste mixed with tylose. Just wondering if the proportion you gave of 1-tsp tylose to every 250gm fondant, will that make my flowers dry into crunchy hard flowers? I currently use 1/2 tsp to every 250gm (as recommended by another website) and my flowers don’t dry hard, rather they dry but are still slightly chewy still when I bite into them.

    Reply
  28. Louise

    September 23, 2009 at 10:32 PM

    Angela: If your cake is covered with bc frosting there should be no need to use anything to attache the stars. Unless its a crusting bc then I would use a little dab of bc to make them sit on the cake.

    Reply
  29. Angela

    September 22, 2009 at 4:15 PM

    Hi Louise
    I will be making a super mario cake for my son’s boirth I will attempt to make it of a picture I saw on line. My question is I will be making mashmallow fondant to make some starts to attach to the cake . I f I am ussing regular frosting on the cake will the stick easylly or do I neee any of the glue named above . I am In ny where will I get the powder to make it.

    Reply
  30. Louise

    September 6, 2009 at 9:56 PM

    Grace: For side decorations I would go with royal icing as that is much faster drying than glue. But it also depend on what kind of decor you are placing flat things is ok with glue but for flowers like my hydrangeas I would not use glue as it cant hold it well.

    Gaye Sommerville: You should be able to locate it in the mentioned places. If you are going to cake decorating shops (not sure if you would find it in Michaels though)CK products also makes Tylo powder. Maybe they can help you where to get it from?

    Reply
  31. Gaye Sommerville

    August 31, 2009 at 12:57 AM

    Hi Louise,first time on ur site, just want to say thanks for all the info on tylo powder, I’ve been trying to get this stuff but its real hard to locate, I just started learning how to use tylo and i cant get it anywhere In Jamaica.I know it is from the Uk but do u know if it is anwhere in Florida or New York? because i do go to these places some times. If there is please let me know i am realy desperate for this stuff, thanks.

    Reply
  32. Grace

    August 24, 2009 at 8:52 PM

    Thank you so much for sharing all of your beautiful tips! In preparation for a birthday cake I’m making, I prepared the glue, as well as a batch of the sugar flowers (also from your site!). I plan to attach the flowers to the fondant along the sides of the cake, which leads me to two questions: 1) how long will the glue take to dry, and 2) how far in advance should I apply the flowers?

    Thank you!

    Reply
  33. Louise

    August 23, 2009 at 11:28 PM

    louise: I use the cornstarch duster whenever I roll out fondant and is making flowers, figures ect. It helps to prevent the fondant from sticking to your hands, work board, rollingpin. I cant work without it.

    Reply
  34. louise

    August 23, 2009 at 11:17 PM

    what is your cornstarch duster for and should i have one for my cakes and figures ?

    Reply
  35. Louise

    February 3, 2009 at 3:50 PM

    Farihah: I think that you use the same amount lie Tylo. Im not sure so you would have to try out and see how it works.

    I dont have the contact info for Amelia, sorry but I guess that you can find denture fix powder in drugstores/farmacy’s ect.

    Greta: If you cant get Tylo and cant buy it online then like Farihah asked you can use dental fix powder. It contains a natural gum agent cmc and works aparently just as good as Tylo.

    Reply
  36. Greta

    February 3, 2009 at 2:21 PM

    Hi Louise 🙂 . First to say that I really like your website. I am new at this stuff and your tutorals are really helpful. So, I want to ask you with what can I replace the Tylo powder in the Tylo glue , because I leave in Bulgaria and here I couldn’t find this powder.

    Reply
  37. Farihah

    January 26, 2009 at 2:42 AM

    also, do you by any chance have the contact info for amelia? i would like to know where she bought that dental powder

    thanks!

    Reply
  38. Farihah

    January 26, 2009 at 2:33 AM

    Hi Louise!

    Question about the dental powder: is it the same proportions as the Tylo when mixing? and also the same shelf life? Thanks!

    Reply
  39. Louise

    November 19, 2008 at 12:42 AM

    Donna: The trick is to use a modelling paste or simply just knead in some Tylo powder to your fondant/sugar paste.

    1 tsp Tylo to 250 gms of fondant/sugar paste. Knead well. The tylo will thicken your paste and it will also help the paste to dry faster and not collapse like it can do when nothing added to the paste.

    Reply
    • Smile

      July 23, 2011 at 8:03 PM

      How far in advanced can you make figures out of sugarpaste mixed with tylo powder? 

      Reply
      • Anonymous

        July 29, 2011 at 10:46 PM

        Weeks, months….They would not be suitable for eating though as they would be very hard. Just remember to store them out of sunlight or colors will fade.

  40. Donna

    November 11, 2008 at 3:58 AM

    Hi Louise,

    What paste you used to do a figurine, Fondant? or sugar paste?. I have tried both but failed. 🙁

    Reply
  41. Louise

    September 26, 2008 at 10:22 PM

    Here it is: Hi, I have been relishing in your beautiful designs for some time now and love to experiment with baking. I finally decided that I would make some fondant and wanted to get hold of some tylo powder, I nipped into the most beautiful cake shop nearby and asked for some..here is what she told me:- instead of using tylo powder buy some denture fix powder!! Half the price for twice as much!!!!! Yipee it works, thought I would just share this info with you to see what you think. Thank you for your delicious recipes and ideas, you’re simply fab. Best wishes Amelia

    Reply
  42. Louise

    September 26, 2008 at 10:18 PM

    Didith: If you dont want to buy it from overseas. Then I have heard that dental powder should work just as good. I just try to find the comment again..

    Reply
  43. Didith

    September 23, 2008 at 6:01 AM

    is there any substitute for tylo powder?i am i the philippines and a cant find any here…pls help…thanks a lot & more power…

    Reply
  44. Louise

    August 30, 2008 at 10:39 PM

    Kate: Thank you Kate. I hope you will have fun browsing aroung CJ.

    Harish: Tylo powder (CMC) is carboxy methyl cellulose. Its synthetic so it is cheaper than Gum Tragacanth but both brand works the same. I use Tylo in many ways when making cakes and decorations/modelling because it harden better then store bought modelling paste and it makes a great strong glue. You can also make your own gum paste by kneading in 1 tbsp of Tylo powder to 1lb of fondant.

    Reply
  45. Harish

    August 27, 2008 at 1:49 PM

    Hallo Louise,this is very usefull information for us. Can you tell us what exactly is tylo powder and how to get its food suitability info./certificates

    thanks

    Reply
  46. Kate

    August 24, 2008 at 1:26 AM

    Hello Louise, I just found your website and lately i’ve been addicted!!! Thanks so much for this site. You’re very talented.

    -Kate

    Reply
  47. Louise

    July 18, 2008 at 7:04 PM

    Charity: Your welcome.

    Reply
  48. Charity

    July 18, 2008 at 6:09 PM

    Thanks so much for the tutorial… I’ve just started working with gumpaste and am learning how to do everything myself. I think it’s better to experiment on my own. This info was so helpful and all your ideas are amazing… thanks so much.

    Charity

    Reply
  49. Louise

    June 9, 2008 at 10:51 AM

    Ina: I dont know what xanthan gum is. The only thing I use is Tylo powder kneaded in with my sugar paste. If you want to make gum paste (sugar paste) then I would use this recipe: https://www.firstimpressionsmolds.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=5

    Reply
  50. Ina

    June 8, 2008 at 8:39 AM

    hi,

    i just wondering is xanthan gum can be used in making gum paste/sugar paste? If yes do you have the recipe?

    thank you

    – ina –

    Reply
  51. Louise

    April 13, 2008 at 8:26 PM

    Karen: Yo can use this Tylo glue when you want to attach fondant/gumpaste stuff to fondant not buttercream.

    Reply
  52. Karen

    April 13, 2008 at 4:31 AM

    Is this edigle or will it harden like gumpaste? And, how / when is this used? Could it be used to glue my gumpaste or fondant Gerbera Daisies to buttercream or fondant icing?

    Thank you so much and I look forward to coming back to this site.

    Karen

    Reply
  53. Louise

    February 28, 2008 at 8:47 AM

    It depends on where you are located. I buy my Tylo powder from The UK. But you can also get it from GSA https://www.globalsugarart.com/search.php?search=tylo+powder

    Reply
  54. Anonymous

    February 27, 2008 at 7:57 PM

    hi
    i was wondering where you get the tylo powder from

    Reply
  55. Volijnb

    January 30, 2008 at 10:32 AM

    Hi Louise, I tried it and it works perfectly! Thanks for the tip!

    Evelyn

    Reply

Trackbacks

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    December 14, 2014 at 9:28 PM

    […] How to make Tylo glue • CakeJournal.com – This glue is perfect for all kinds of sugarwork and it is very quick to make. Here you can see how to make Tylo glue: This is what you will need:… […]

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