Do you use round cake boards in square boxes? Or do you use square ones even with round cakes?
Generally, how much bigger than your cake is your cake board (and therefore box)? I guess what I'm getting at is: I'd like to invest in only a few box sizes and make it work for a range of sizes, but I'm not sure if that's unusual.
Thanks, oh experienced cake business gurus.
-Stephanie

round cakes go on round boards.
square cakes go on square boards.
all boxes are square.

a 10" round board fits snuggly into a 10" square box.

I use a base board 2" larger in a pinch, but generally 4" larger than the bottom tier.

I only do a few cakes a month for people and I didnt want to invest the money right now into a bunch of different sizes of cake boards/drums and boxes. I looked back at my past orders and most of the cakes I make are small birthday cakes 12 inches or smaller. So I decided to order 12 inch square boards/drums and 12 inch boxes in bulk and put all my cakes... rounds and squares and hearts, etc 10 inch and smaller on the 12 inch square board and use the 12 inch boxes. If I have a bigger cake I usually just buy a board or drum at the craft store or cut it from foamcore.

If I'm delivering wedding cakes, I don't box.

If I have a pickup for a birthday cake those tend to be 8" cakes. I have a number of 12" boards and boxes that I consider "all purpose", but I also have some boards and boxes in a variety of sizes.

I can buy boards and boxes by the each at a local cake supplies store, boxes by the 10 pack at the local restaurant supply store and order each from BakeryCrafts (online) in quantities as small as 25. I believe that brpboxshop offers at least a box assortment, maybe not a board assortment, though. Check them out.

Thanks for your help, leah_s and Sonya! I appreciate your input.