Hi. I just started course I last week. I noticed that the fanci-foil stuff is not cheap. I was wondering what the other alternatives for cake boards/fanci-foil are. I am looking for standard alternatives as well as creative alternatives. Thanks to all!

A roll of the fanci foil does last quite a long time. I would think it is probably nearly cheapest you could go...except for aluminum foil...which I wouldnt recommend. You can also use wrapping paper, but you need to then cover that with contact paper or something. Another alternative would is scrapbook paper, which looks fabulous when you can match it to your theme. Again cover this with contact paper. But when you figure that some pieces of that cost 50 cents or more, it wont save you any money. If you really are in interest of saving money, just buy the fancifoil with a 40% off coupon.

A lot of people also use polyfoil. It is a florist foil. You get twice as much for just a couple dollars more. It comes in really pretty colors as well. It is a lot more durable also. Try simplysweetsupplies.com.

I use freezer paper--shiny side up. Lots of it for cheap and food and grease proof.

If you use Fanci-Foil, please don't put the cake directly on the foil, since it is NOT food safe. I received this email from Country Kitchen SweetArt (boldface added by me):

"... The foils are used to wrap the boards
under the cake. We do suggest that you place a doily on top of the foil
under the cake to prevent any chemicals from entering the food."

I'd assume Florist Foil, since it's not meant to contact food at all, is also non-food safe.

Here's a thread on contact paper, or shelf liner:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopicp-480716.html#480716

Cheers, from
SwampWitch

I cover my boards when possible with MMF rolled out directly on my board and match the colors to the cake. I have had many compliments about them. I also cover some with tissue paper, cutting around the circle and then follow up with clear contact. My recently posted monkey cake I used all tissue paper cutting out the leafs and fastening them to the yellow tissue with a glue stick. I then of course covered it with contac paper. I have had customers ask me to please not use the foil stuff of any kind.

I like to use wrapping paper with clear wrap over the top. I can get both extremely cheap either at the dollar store or Target.

Thank you for all the helpful information! I had no idea some of those things were not food safe. Thank you!

I didn't realize FanciFoil isn't food safe either! Duhhh...glad I read this topic.

Wilton's Fanci Foil is food safe--FDA approved. They are all about that. There may be other "fanci foil" types out there, including the florist foil that may not be.

Just as a side note: you can buy the cake circles much cheaper on line like at country kitchens. Of course you have to pay shipping, but if you buy enough stuff it isnt too bad.

I always use the freezer paper - it is so easy. Sometimes I even decorate the board (always a scrapbooker at heart) instead of writing so much on the cake. If I decorate the board I cover it in the clear stuff like you would wrap a cookie bouquet (sp?) in.
Melissa