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Understanding the “Detailed” Design Tier: What Makes These Cookies Special
- kiabellsweets
- Oct 6
- 3 min read
We’ve officially entered my favorite season [drumroll please] autumn! 🍂 Even if the weather hasn’t quite caught up, the season of cozy sweaters, warm drinks, endless soups and festive cookies is here. Soon we’ll be in the trifecta of holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving, and of course, the holiday of all holidays, Christmas!
This is the perfect time to talk about one of my most popular pricing categories, the Detailed Design Tier. If you’ve ever wondered why certain cookies cost more or how to tell which tier your design falls into, this post will help clear things up.
What the Detailed Tier Includes
The Detailed Design Package (priced per dozen) is ideal for designs that require a bit more creativity, time, and precision. This tier includes cookies that feature one or more of the following:
Up to 4 different designs
Up to 5 icing colors
Minimal airbrushing or metallic highlights
Detailed hand-piped lettering
Minimal character or logo designs (including social media icons)
Simple florals or raised icing details
Use of black, red, or navy blue in over 30% of your overall design
Cookies in this tier typically range from 3.4–5 inches and allow you to choose up to two cookie dough flavors per order.
What Makes These Cookies “Detailed”?
Detailed cookies are perfect for when you want to impress your guests or gift something truly eye-catching. These designs have more depth, texture, and artistic flair than cookies in the basic tier.
For example, your design might include:
Raised 3-D florals that add a touch of texture
Shading or airbrushing for realistic dimension
Logos or symbols that require precise layering (think Nike shoes or social media icons)
Even if only one or two cookies in your set feature these details, your order likely qualifies as Detailed, because those small enhancements require additional time, materials, and artistry.
What Are 3-D Icing Designs?
You may have seen the term “3-D icing” and wondered what it means.
3-D icing designs are created by layering and sculpting royal icing to add dimension and texture. Instead of a flat, one-layer look, the icing is built up in multiple stages to create raised effects — like piped flowers, textured patterns, or realistic lettering.
Each layer must dry before the next one is added, which makes these designs more time-intensive. 3-D effects can also be created using fondant, molding chocolate, sprinkles, icing sugars, or even edible crystals. The end result is a cookie that truly pops — both visually and artistically!
Other Factors That Affect Pricing
In addition to the design itself, there are a few extra elements that can move your order into the Detailed category:
Metallic accents or edible glitter – add shimmer and shine, but require extra materials and drying time.
Difficult colors – shades like black, red, and navy blue take longer to achieve. If they make up more than 30% of your design, it’s automatically detailed.
Lettering – intricate, multi-colored, or hand-piped writing increases design time.
Character details – features like 3-D ghosts, realistic pine needles, or hand-painted dirt marks on baseballs all take precision and extra steps.
Click the slideshow for additional examples of "DETAILED" priced cookies. Beautiful huh?
Each of these details contributes to both the artistry and the price point.
Why Detailed Cookies Cost More
Every cookie is handmade from start to finish — mixed, baked, piped, and decorated with care. The Detailed Tier represents designs that take longer and require more advanced techniques. You’re not just paying for ingredients — you’re investing in time, skill, and creativity.
In short: these cookies are edible art. They’re designed to stand out and make an impression at your event, and that artistry is reflected in the pricing.
Before You Order
To make sure your design fits your vision (and your budget!), I always recommend:
Sharing inspiration photos when placing your order.
Discussing your design ideas with me before confirming — it can save both time and money!
Considering which details matter most to you so we can find the perfect balance between look and cost.
Most importantly, have fun with your design ideas! Whether you choose simple or detailed cookies, every set is crafted with care, precision, and love. 💛
Happy designing — and happy holiday season!
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