What's the best thing to use for cutting shapes from fondant using an exacto knife?

I buy plastic cutting sheets at the Dollar Tree. They come two in a package, and when they get messed up I can still use them for cutting veggies, etc. I throw them in the dishwasher. Also, they are excellent for rolling out small quantities of fondant for decorations because fondant doesn't stick to them.

I also use those plastic cutting sheets. I only use them for cutting up vegetables. I had thought that if I ever tried to make a fondant cake that I would try using them but so far all I ever do is butter cream.  I have never even tasted a cake made with fondant so I really don't even know if I would like it or not.  The few wedding cakes that I have seen here are all made with buttercream.  One day I may try the fondant just for the heck of it to see what it tastes like. I have watched many videos and know how to do it but I am sure if anybody would probably mess it up it would be me HEHE. Especially the first time that I try it.

Look no further, this has been my saving grace and the BEST tip i have gotten off cake central in a long time. Go to michaels and in the scrapbook section is a bunch of mats, called self healing mats. When you cut on them it heals itself and this has been a lifesaver, they are nice and thick and come in all sizes. I too used to use the cheap plastic cutting boards, but they are a headache. Use this and you will thank me forever:)

Self healing mats!

I use a floor tile that I purchased at home depot.  Works like a charm!

All good ideas, especially the floor tiles. I'm going to keep this in mind

Quote:

Originally Posted by shannycakers 

Look no further, this has been my saving grace and the BEST tip i have gotten off cake central in a long time. Go to michaels and in the scrapbook section is a bunch of mats, called self healing mats. When you cut on them it heals itself and this has been a lifesaver, they are nice and thick and come in all sizes. I too used to use the cheap plastic cutting boards, but they are a headache. Use this and you will thank me forever:)

Ahhhh, thank you for this tip!!  Do you know what brand are those 'self-healing' mats'? are they smooth?? I wanna go get one right now!! lol  

I have two of them one is a OLFA rotary mat and the other is Ghinger.  Both of them came from fabric shops.

Martha Stewart mat.

One day they had cricut cake mats on clearance at AC Moore. I bought those and they are perfect for cutting things with the exacto knife. You need to dust well with cornstarch before you start cutting so the cutouts will come off easily. I thought about the self-healing mats, but I can't figure out what they are made of. It looks rubbery, could be rubber or latex and I didn't know if they were food safe. I assume the cricut mats are because it is a machine made specifically for cake. 

I use the flexible cutting boards as well, or just straight on my granite counter.  You could buy a granite cutting board or tile (granite will dull your blade quicker, but they are so inexpensive anyway).  I wouldn't recommend using tile or quilting mats, unless they are specifically marked at food safe.