Custom printed macarons are one of the fastest-growing favors on social right now — a crisp logo or photo on a delicate French macaron looks luxe on any dessert table, which is why they’ve taken off for weddings, bridal and baby showers, and corporate gifts. Before you print one, though, you need the right size. Here’s exactly how big macarons are, and how to get an edible image onto them cleanly.
The exact size: about 1.5 inches
A standard French macaron is roughly 1.5″ (3.5–4 cm) in diameter. Sizes do vary by baker, so here’s the full range:
| Macaron size | Diameter | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Mini | ~1″ (2.5 cm) | Tiny accents, tasting boxes |
| Standard | ~1.5″ (3.5–4 cm) | The default — favors, gifts, most orders |
| Large | ~2″ (5 cm) | Statement pieces, big-print designs |
The one number people miss: the printable (imprint) area is only about 1.25″, not the full shell. The edible image sits on the flat top shell with a small margin all around, so design and cut your print to ~1.25″ for a standard macaron. (Sizing cupcakes and cookies too? Every dessert measurement lives in our Edible Image Size Guide.)
Two ways to apply the image
Method 1 — Edible-image transfer (best for home & small bakers):
- Print your design on an icing (frosting) sheet and cut it to ~1.25″ rounds — or order them precut.
- Make sure each macaron shell is smooth and fully dry on top.
- Lay the image on the shell and gently coax the edges down with a tiny dab of water or piping gel so it hugs the surface. Let it dry flat. Done.
Method 2 — Direct edible-ink printing (fastest for volume): A dedicated macaron printer (like the Primera Eddie) prints your design straight onto the shell — no paper, no cutting. It’s the quickest route for large runs, but it needs specialized equipment.
Pro tips
- Light shells for color. Colorful photos and logos only pop on light/vanilla shells. Darker shells (chocolate, pistachio, raspberry) look best with black or dark designs only.
- Use icing sheets for the brightest, most photo-accurate prints. (Icing vs. wafer? See how to apply edible images.)
- Keep it dry. High humidity makes an edible image go soggy or warp — apply and store in a dry spot.
- Order precut. Hand-cutting 1.25″ circles is the slow part; precut prints drop right on.
Great for
Wedding & bridal shower favors · baby showers · corporate logos & client gifts · birthdays · brand launches & promo events · matching dessert tables.
Also trending: chocolate-covered Oreos with edible images — same idea, different treat.
We print your macaron images precut and ready to place. Schaffer Print Works makes custom edible images sized for macarons (~1.25″) — any photo or logo, on icing sheets or wafer paper — Las Vegas pickup or shipped. Request a quote