# What is the best software for a cake decorator in the US?

> A US decorator quotes by the serving, offers two or three versions of a cake and works inside a state cottage food law. How ibakepro handles it, from US$17 a month.

A US cake decorator needs software that quotes by the serving, puts two or
three versions of a cake on one quote, takes a card deposit in dollars when
the customer says yes, chases the balance before the event, and shows each
version's margin from what you paid for butter and fondant. ibakepro is
bakery management software built by a decorator and used by bakers of every
size, and it does that from US$17 a month, with US data held in the United
States.

## Quoting by the serving

US customers compare cakes on price per serving, and they mean the Wilton
chart even if they have never heard of it. On that chart an 8 inch round gives
24 wedding servings (1 x 2 in) or 20 party servings (1.5 x 2 in). A three-tier
6, 8 and 10 inch wedding cake is 12 + 24 + 38 = 74 wedding servings. The full
tables are in the [cake serving size chart](/blog/cake-serving-size-chart).

A quote with options is how most decorators answer "what would it cost for
about 75 guests?". With example rates:

| Option | Servings | Example rate | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Three tiers, 6/8/10 inch, fondant, sugar flowers | 74 | $7.00 | $518 |
| B. Three tiers, 6/8/10 inch, buttercream, fresh flowers | 74 | $5.50 | $407 |
| C. Two tiers, 6/8 inch, plus a 10 inch kitchen cake | 36 + 38 | $5.50 and $3.50 | $331 |

The rates are inputs for the example, not market prices; set yours from your
costs with the [cake pricing calculator](/blog/cake-pricing-calculator).

In ibakepro all three options go on one quote. The customer opens their
private order link, picks one, and pays the deposit by card through your own
Stripe account, and the payment schedule follows the option they chose. See
[orders and quotes](/features/orders-and-quotes). Before you send it, each
option shows its cost and margin, worked out from the ingredients, boards,
dowels and decorating hours that go into it. See
[recipe costing](/features/recipe-costing).

## Holding the date

A wedding is booked months out, and the deposit is what makes the date yours.
ibakepro sizes the deposit by your rule on every order, makes the balance due
a set number of days before the event, and sends reminders until it is paid.
Your contract (cancellation, design changes, stand hire) is signed online and
filed against the order on every plan. See
[payment schedules and deposits](/features/payment-schedules-and-deposits)
and [what terms to get signed](/blog/terms-to-get-signed-for-custom-cake-orders).

## Inside your state's cottage food law

If you decorate from home, the state sets what you may sell, to whom and how
much. Texas caps a cottage food operation at $150,000 a year and expects you,
an employee or a household member to deliver it; Florida allows $250,000 a
year. Many states keep cakes that need refrigeration, such as cream cheese
frosting, custard or fresh fruit fillings, out of cottage food. Check your
state's row in
[home baking laws by state and country](/blog/home-baking-laws-by-state-and-country)
and confirm with your local authority before you add a filling to the menu.

Two things in ibakepro help here. Revenue over any period shows how close you
are to your cap well before the busy season. And each ingredient carries its
allergens from the FDA's nine, so the label or card for every cake comes from
one record. See [allergen management](/features/allergen-management).

## Which plan fits

| Plan | USD per month | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials | US$17 | Working alone, up to 100 orders in the life of the account |
| Growth | US$22 | Two users, unlimited orders, a shop for cupcakes and smash cakes |
| Business | US$59 | A team, delivery with route planning and proof of delivery |

A decorator taking a few commissions a week starts on Essentials, which has
quotes with options, deposits, costing and e-sign. Growth adds unlimited
orders and an online shop. More in
[is ibakepro right for a cake decorator](/answers/is-ibakepro-right-for-a-cake-decorator),
and the US setup is on [bakery software for US bakers](/bakery-software-usa).