Alright, so I've never made a cake bigger than 10 inches much less transported one. I'm making a big cake I just wondered how to go about transporting the 18 and 14 inch layers. I noticed when I took the 14 inch out of the pan it is very "bendy" and I had difficulty getting it to stay flat in the freezer. Where do I find cake boards this size? Do I use cake boards or something else?

You could always try plywood, or pressboard which is what I have used lately, and cover. Gives alot more stability than cardboard.

If you do want cardboard, you could probably go to a moving company that sells moving supplies and get a really big box, and tailor to you needs.

Some people use foam board or purchase drums, but I never have. I cut my own boards from cardboard. You can buy a giant compass (like the little ones used in geometry class) from a hobby/craft store. It has a point and a pencil for drawing circles. You can also use a thumbtack, thread and a pencil to draw a circle. Try asking for the packaging material at framing, furniture, or appliance stores for really large, thick boxes to cut. If you are going to use regular thin corrogated cardboard, you will need at least 3 layers for the bottom (you will need less layers if it is really thick cardboard). Make sure the grain on each board is going in different directions to give the most strength. I wrap with Florists foil.

During transit, put the cake in your trunk or floorboard. Never, never, Never put a cake on the seat of your car. It is uneven and can cause cracks. Also, the cake may fly off into the floor with a minor touching or the brakes.

For safest results, transport in separate pieces and assemble when you get there. It's sometimes unnerving to have to put that last border on at the site, but just imagine how bad it would feel if you don't arrive with a useable cake. (Search cake disasters if you don't believe it can happen! )

Best of luck!

I use plexi-glass. It's easy to clean. You can buy it at Home Depot and cut it to the size needed.

For the ride in the car, I use a drawer liner, the kind that feels like foam rubber, that comes in rolls. I place the liner in the cargo area and sit the cake(s) on it. Keeps everything from sliding around. However, make sure the cake is secured to the plexi-glass (or whatever you're using). I use buttercream as "glue".

Good luck!

Great idea LittleBigMama! I've used real glass and mirrors, but never plexi-glass.

I assume that the drawer liner you are talking about is the same stuff they sell for keeping rugs in place? This is great for using on your turntable too. It keeps your cake in place really well.

Good tips

I use foam core, under each tier, or you can use double cardboard rounds.

I make my own cake boards. My husband cuts them out to the sizes I want and then I cover them with either fabric or fondant, depending upon the look I want.

I get my boards back from my clients, remove the covering and then reuse them.

If I am covering a board with fabric, I prefer to staple it to the bottom of the board. I then cover the bottom of the board with a piece of felt, cut to size. This prevents the staples from scratching a table, my plateaus or catching on the fabric on a cake table.

I generally transport cakes and then assemble at the site but I have transported stacked tiers. I just make sure that they are doweled well. Never have had one slip yet.(crossing fingers)

Thanks so much! I knew the CC folks would be able to helpl! You guys are the greatest!

I have a very large piece of thick foam (JoAnn's sells them) Cut it to fit your cargo area - then I put a piece of the non-skid stuff under the cake and set it on that piece of foam for the ride. It is "cushioned" and it won't slide off of the foam.

Like the idea of using foam core. Might give that a try.
Also want to say that using the shelf paper that is like foam rubber (the bumpy looking variety) works like magic! I've been doing this for some time now after a friend recommended it to me. I've never had a cake move on me. I even have a few squares that I've included with cakes that are picked up rather than delivered. The customer always appreciates this. If they want it, just tack it on to the price of their cake. : )

Jenn123:"I assume that the drawer liner you are talking about is the same stuff they sell for keeping rugs in place?"

Yes, that's it. Great stuff!

I use tiles from Lowe's! They are very sturdy, pretty, and come in all sizes. I know they have 12" and 15" for sure.

I use a waffle foam pad, It's really cheap and you can cut it to fit any size cake box nice and snuggly
and my cake boards are masonite. I hope that helps.

OOPS! I SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED THE WAFFLE FOAM IS FOR THE TRANSPORTING IN THE CAR TRUNK OR THE BAK OF THE VAN.(sorry)

I had to have a wooden board to go under a big (we're talking 6 tiers here) cake and I didn't want to pay for a pre-cut wooden round board from the cake store. DH was out of town, so I couldn't ask him to cut me one. I went to WalMart and got one of those cheapie 3-legged tables that the legs screw into brackets on the bottom of the round table top. I spent $8 on the table, used just the tabletop, and it worked great. The top of the table is beveled so it was pretty besides being thick and sturdy.

Deanna

WOOHOO! THAT'S A GREAT IDEA! AND WALMART PUTS THOSE TABLES ON SALE ALL THE TIME!

Gotta save that money.... So I can buy cake tools!!

Deanna

Too much cake~

I used my table top for a cake board too!! I was desperate for a board so I just took the legs off of it and covered the board and I was good to go!!

~Luraleigh~

Too much cake~

I used my table top for a cake board too!! I was desperate for a board so I just took the legs off of it and covered the board and I was good to go!!

~Luraleigh~

if transporting in a van or suv ..the middle of the van in the floor gets less bounce....it is the pivot point of the van or any vehicle....remember those days on the school bus the very back seat behind the wheels would throw you off the seat

Luraleigh Great minds think alike!

Vanna I used to love sitting in the back of the bus for just that reason. Not too good for cakes to be airborne though, heehee!

Deanna

Love the tabletop idea! You all are so smart. : ) I'll admit I'm not very imaginative, most of my ideas are borrowed... so keep 'em coming!

I thought that sounded interesting too.....here is a link to some tiles there - is that what you use??

Tiles