I made these 3 cakes for my daughter's graduation from Beauty School. I cut the top two boards a little bigger than the cake so that I could place a border around them. I cut my dowels and had them placed in each cake. When I got to the beauty school and stacked them, you could see the boards on the top two layers. I had brought icing and put a quick border around the top cake but didn't really have time to do the middle cake. All the cakes are covered in buttercream. What should I do in the future to avoid this?

The cakes should be placed on a board the same size as the cake. Then after stacking you add the borders.

I tried to attach the photo. It is in my gallery if anyone can help me.

agree with peg, the board should not be bigger than the cake it sits on. the border will be around the edge and sit on the top of the cake below