I really hate spending the money on cake boards since I'm just experimenting at this point but I can't figure out a nice way to make them myself any cheaper.

Any ideas on this one?

many times I will use foam core - cut with an exacto to the shape I need - and then covered in contact paper - if cake will be heavy, you can double up on the layers of foam core

My DH is going to make me some with plywood. Not sure how it will work out.

Can you buy foam core at Home Depot?

I started out using all store-bought cake boards, but because most of the cakes I do are for close friends and family, I've switched to plywood cake boards. Often you can find these in many sizes and thicknesses at a craft store (very inexpensive) or a hardware store/home improvement store may be willing to cut them for you. Then I just cover them, and no one is the wiser.

I've saved a ton of money doing it this way.

Another thing I've done to save money is to buy plastic tubs to use instead of cake boxes. I use these whenever possible and they work great! I believe the brand I bought is Sterlite at WalMart. Not sure of the size, but the perfectly fit a 1/2 sheet cake and are about 6 inches tall. I use them to transport cupcakes too.

cheapest foam core I've found is at Wal-mart

I suggest Masonite boards. They're sturdy like plywood but much thinner! You can get them premade online or get some from your home improvement store. They will be able to cut them to size for you.

I use plywood whenever I can... You can get scraps at Home Depot really cheap and they'll cut them to any size you want. Round boards are another story..They do have some precut rounds at Home Depot, but they're limited on sizes.

I have used both masonite and plywood. I bought it from Home Depot and they cut it to size. I try to get lucky and go on a day when they have lots of scrap wood.

Box stores that carry bakery boards and boxes are usually very sturdy cardboard unlike the Wilton kind. I like to save my wood boards for stacked and heavier cakes. Also...foam core board can be found at Hobby Lobby for a pretty reasonable price.

I've used plywood boards, and regular boxes, cut to size and stacked.
Emi

If I'm just making a practice cake for the family I put the cake right on the cake carrier. I don't even worry about a board!

I wanted sturdy silver boards for some of my cakes and found $1 shiny silver pizza pans at the dollar store. They're fantastic

I am so short on cash flow at this time in my life that I go to the local grocery and collect cardboard boxes.

I then can cut any shape I want with a box cutter. I cut 4 duplicate pieces, tape them together with masking tape, then cover them with what contact paper, usually a clear contact and then cover that with what ever decrotive paper I am using.

These board are very sturdy. I cut the double ring board out by making a drawing a pattern for the first board and then using the first board for my pattern.

Depending on who I do a cake for, sometimes I ask for them back.

But I always keep the pattern I made in case I do another one like it.

I forgot to add, I have plywood also...But they make the cake soo heavy that I find this much lighter to use. I make the boards about a week before the cake is due so I am not trying to do it at the last minute.

WARNING... KIND OF GROSS...

GMA ... I would be really careful getting your boxes from grocery stores ... most of them store all of their cardboard in one spot. Why is that a problem? Well fruit boxes (espiecially bananas) often have roaches and roach eggs in them. I have a friend who manages a discount grocery store and she said it's really nasty. I used to live next door to one and the apartment building was spraying for roaches every 6 months because people would use the grocery store boxes to carry their groceries home...

Stick to cartons that are not imported, that should help, and liquor stores usually have really sturdy boxes too ...

edited for typos!

I use pressboard for really big cakes (14" x 28"), and they do well. I will often cut smaller ones as well for the still big cakes. Anything around 10" goes on cardboard. We also have a local store that imports board that are very thick and sturdy, but a little $$. I like the presswood/plywood so you can reuse.

I make my own boards but have decided to go back to store brought...got to be such a hassel.

I use plywood for my stacked cakes.

I use two layers of foamboard hot glued together. I then cover it with thinned royal icing, let dry for a day, and hot glue a ribbon around the edge. One large foamboard is about $2 and is enough for two layers. I get the ribbon at Michaels for $1 a roll which lasts for a couple of cakes. I either color the royal icing before spreading it on the board, or airbrush it when it's dry.