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 bother with plates anymore. I use Tuff boards the same size as the cake. i ice all my tiers on a flat surface wider than the cake . When I ice the cake I ice it as if I am leaving it on the boards. I then slide a spat under it and lift to have a nice clean bottom edge. HTH!

does this cake have pillars or is it stacked.

if stacked use the same size as the cake and cover the edge with your border
If pillars you can use the 1 inch bigger they ae harder to find but you can order then you do have to be careful setting them up not to bump with fingers but I use buttercream so it is more of a risk
the clear plates also are not as visable.