I have been looking for a tutorial on how to make a nice cake board as well as the do's and dont's as far as to what to use and not to use. Can anyone help me out with this? I need to make one tomorrow so any help would be great! Thank you!!

Hi,

What type of cake board do you want to make? ie: fondant covered, foil covered, designs etc...

I like to match my cake boards to the cake design. I use wrapping papers, fabrics, and foils.
I start with 1/2" foam core.
If I am using a paper, I just cut it a little larger than the board, and make little slits along the edge so I can fold the paper down over the board and tape it to the bottom.
If I am using fabric, I first spray the board with some spray adhesive, and then smoothe out the fabric. I then fold the fabric over the edge of the board and tape it to the bottom. I do this several days ahead of time to make sure it dries and the fumes go away before I cover it with contact paper.)
I cover both the fabric and paper covered boards with a layer of contact paper to make it grease-proof. I also do this several days before the cake will be placed on it.
**Note: I ALWAYS set the cake on a plain cardboard cake circle that I then attach to the covered cake board with double sided tape. My cakes do not touch the contact paper.
I finish it up with a coordinating ribbon.
Here are some examples:
fabric covered-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hjscakes/4909013878/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hjscakes/4348876954/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hjscakes/6082889352/in/photostream

paper covered-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hjscakes/5459518147/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hjscakes/4909013882/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hjscakes/3755646452/in/photostream

Hope this helps.

I was planning on using paper for my board

Poohsmomma: Thank you so much! that is a ton of help! So I guess what is against me would be time being that I need it for a cake i'm finishing up tonight.. I wonder if there is a way to avoid the fumes by using tape instead of the adhesive spray and layered cake boards rather than the foam board.. I will have to play around with it for sure
BTW, Your cakes look amazing! very nicely done

You could probably just stretch the fabric tightly over the board and use some strong tape on the bottom instead of an adhesive spray.

That is true and when you say contact paper, what is that? Is that something that goes over the paper or the fabric so you don't get the grease stains from the buttercream?

I use the 1/2" cake drums that can be found at craft stores like Hobby lobby, Michael's, Robert's, Joann's, etc....I cover with gumpaste or fondant/tylose so it will harden. I roll out the gumpaste to the size of the drum and cover....trim the edge with a knife using the side as a guide to get a nice cut....smooth with my finger...I use a small roller to go around and make a pretty pattern and then dust with pearl dust for a nice sheen....trim again as necessary and leave to harden for a few hours....then you can put the cake on it with a cardboard circle in between and use a dab of frosting to secure....finish with a ribbon around the side to match the cake if desired. When I use the ribbon I use a few small dabs of hot glue to secure it and glue a small bow to the front.

http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1220031/training-grad-cake
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1161433/taris-birthday-purse

bmarlow, You can find clear contact paper at any Walmart or store with household stuff. It is just a sticky clear plastic that comes in a roll; I don't know how else to describe it. It's usually around the shelf liners.
(And thank you for the comment on my cakes.)

u can use any type of fabric or paper as long as the cake does not touch it. so, if i'm using wrapping paper then i put a board or parchment paper the size of my cake (plus a little extra) under the cake...if it's not food safe it shouldn't be touching the food. contact paper is also not food safe and you will notice it kinda smells bad (very plastic-y smell) just use good judgement

I use the half inch foam core from the craft stores and hand cut mine...after wrapping them i usually hot glue a ribbon on the edge to make it look pretty. all of this before the cake goes on the board

Thank you all for your help!! I just finished my board and it came out great thanks to all of you!
Steponmi: I ended up just using a board under my cake so it did not touch the card stock, my only concern is it slipping.. I taped it as well as I will be putting a dowel through the center of the cake so I'm hoping this will prevent a disaster! Lol