Does anyone have any suggestions as to the best way to write on cakes or cake boards to get the best result -- or is it practice, practice, practice. Do most of you do this freehand or are there tools/techniques to help? As this can be the focal point of the cake I would appreciate any and all feedback. Thanks.

If the writing is on the board, you can trace and imprint, using something printed from your computer.

You can also trace on fondant using the reverse of the print and piping gel to make an imprint.

Fondant cut outs can also be used.

then, there is always practice, practice, practice

I used to trace the writing onto greaseproof paper place it on the cake and trace over the writing using a cocktail stickand then pipe over the imprint. I still do this but on dry icing as its easier.

Hi there...again! I thought I knew you from somewhere else...and I was right! But here's my answer again in case you don't see the other one first.

There are cutters you can use. Here's a link to a website that has the ones I sometimes use. You may find the product at a supplier nearer to you but at least this will show you what to look for.
http://www.design-a-cake.co.uk Look under FMM products and then Upper and Lower Case Letters - Script.

Otherwise, print out some fonts that you like from the computer and practice piping over the letters until you are confident to do them freehand. There's also a pin prick method....I'm not sure of that one. I'm sure someone else can jump in and help you though!

Wilton makes a lettering kit too. I have several of the press kits, but not the lettering one. It's called Make-Any-Message Lettering kit. Here's a link. I've seen it at Michael's and Hobby Lobby.

http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=3E30E88F-475A-BAC0-592BC8DBE6FBA9DC&fid=3E32BDCC-475A-BAC0-59AEF91A83890AE7

I printed out Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary all the names in my family on a 5x7 sheet of paper and slid it in my practice board. I'm still not very consistent on a cake, but I think the practice helped.

HTH