I have a large cake to make the first weekend in May. It will be 4 tier 14,12,10 &8. The groom also wants a printing press cake but that is a totally different subject!!! I am just curious how I can get that smooth no seperator plate look!! I have always read to go 2 inches with your plates should I only go 1 inch bigger? What's the trick?

I don't know for sure but I 've read somewhere that the plates should be just a little bit smaller than the cake you are putting on them. I would like to know the right way myself.

I don't use seperator plates for stacked cakes, just cake boards (and now I'm going to plexiglass boards instead for stability).

where do you get plexi glass boards and do you have to cut them yourself or do they come pre sized?

I use foam board cut slightly smaller than the cake and wrapped. It is thick enough for stability and light enough for the cake. I have no problems it.

Is the cake you're doing stacked or tiered? I attempted a tiered cake with no seperator plates showing and ended up putting the frosted cake on a seperator plate the same size as the cake, filled in on the bottom with buttercream, then covered cake in fondant and wrapped the fondant under the seperator plate.

~Chelle

Milal, what do you cover the foam board with?

I use clear contact paper or a plastic table cloth, cut to size, if the plate is not going to be seen, it doesn't have to match.

All of my cakes have plastic plates between the layers, whether they are stacked or tiered. I use the smooth edged plates (not the scalloped edged ones) and I use the same size as the cake .... 10" cake on a 10" cardboard on a 10" plate. When I arrive at the sight and assemble the cakes, I add the border which covers any exposed plate/board just fine.