I'm confused on the difference between cake boards and separator plates? Which would I use to stack one tier on another? Thanks...sorry for all the dumb questions!!!

If you are sitting cakes on top of each other then you can use cake boards (don't forget to use dowels for support). If you are separating the cakes with pillars, then you use the separator plates(don't forget the dowels for support with this method too!).

It depends on the dowels you want to use and how you are going to transport. I don't use separator place because its just adds more to the cost and you wont get them back. If your making a column design cake then you will need the seporator plates. I use wooden dowels most of the time and card boards plus this way you can center dowel the cake for added support (for a stack version cake)

Since I started charging a refundable deposit for my separator plates/pillars...they are always returned! I must say that I had to learn the hard way though..LOL!

I see the difference now! thanks! guess i just need the cake boards then!

Remember to wrap your cake boards in tin foil or freezer paper. The mosisture from the cake and icing will weaken your board and can make the cake sag or crack. Also I use cut masonite boards wrapped in contact paper. They are super duarble and work great. If you do use the cake boards, I'd double up for strength. Also make sure to use something strong for the base like a cake drum or plywood.

thanks for the tips! that would be terrible if the cake boards went all soggy! I actually had a question about the base too, now that i think of it. I know that i can buy a cake drum to put the cake on. What about a cake stand? Can you use that instead? Would you put the first teir on a normal cake board and then onto the stand or would you still need a cake drum or would you put it directly on the stand???? thanks again!