I used ribbon on B/C for the first time today, and the grease from the B/C is soaking through the ribbon! It looks terrible! Does this always happen, and is there a way to prevent it?

I've read here on CC that they cut a strip of wax paper (same size as ribbon ) and place it behind the ribbon...

not all ribbon soaks up the grease. ive used masking tape the same thickness behind the ribbon, it takes time to put it on the ribbon but it works.

I just did a cake this weekend with ribbon on it. It was my first attempt so I did lots of trial pieces and laid them on a smear of BC to see which method works. All of these ideas I got from CC.

I tried the wax paper, but it still got greasy. I tried ironing on freezer paper. It stuck to the back, but made the ribbon stiff. I tried glad press and seal cut to size on the back of the ribbon. It kept the grease at bay, but it didn't stick real well. I was nervous that the ribbon would eventually pull away and fall off, leaving the plastic on the cake! Finally, I stuck contact paper to the back of the ribbon and cut to size. That worked really well. The cake sat overnight. I checked it in the am and no grease marks.

That's what worked for me. Do a trial and see what you like best. HTH

I have never had a problem with grease on my ribbon. However, I do wait until very close to event time to put the ribbon on. I never let it sit overnight and I only put it on after the buttercream has crusted.

I practiced on a dummy cake that had been frosted and sat for a couple days. So, it had definitely crusted over! I still got grease spots within an hour of putting the ribbon on! The ribbon I used was 100% polyester.

Boy, I wish I didn't have to "treat" the ribbon. It's so time consuming.

Now that I think about it, the BC I used for the dummy was made with crisco (well, store brand). I just switched over to sweetex. Everyone says it's not as greasy. I wonder if that will make a difference with the ribbon?

Polyester ... that's the worst. I have good success with polyeurothane (sp?)

the ribbon that is for funeral arrangements works the best, its made for outdoors, looks like satin and doesnt soak up the grease.

qtcakes -- where do you get that ribbon? Does Michaels or Hobby Lobby carry it?

Yes, I'd like to know where to find it also. And Debbie, the polyeurothane ribbon, can you find that at Jo-Ann's/Michaels? I didn't look in depth, but the ribbon I saw at JoAnn's was either polyester or satin.

I swear by the press and seal method. I just use some piping gel to attach it. I have done many cakes with ribbon and since I have used this method I have had no grease stain problems!

I tape wax paper to the back of my ribbon, using double sided tape. It doesn't take much time. I can't do things at the last minutes with my unpredictable little ones!!

What is the press and seal method?

I'd like to know, too.

The press and seal method is cutting a piece of press and seal down to same size as your ribbon. Place ribbon on the sticky side of the press and seal and gently wrap around the cake. You don't need to press against cake too hard, you can use a little piping gel to help it adhere.

thanks everyone. i tried the masking tape, and it seemed to work pretty well. i will try to press and seal next time and see what i like better... : )