I was wondering if anyone had any input about one being better than another to use, or is just a matter of preference?

Thanks in advance! =]

I don't use cardboard rounds at all, I use custom cut foam core for the cake "circles" and English style drums/custom cut foam core for the actual decorative bases. I cover with Glad press and seal before putting cake on them.

I personally only use cardboard boxes in between tiers and I use wood for the whole cake to sit on.

Die hard Foam core fan here. Only thing i use. Custom cut for each cake.

this may be a dumb question, but is the foam core just the white foam boards you can buy at a craft store? how thick is it? how do you best cut it? ok, that was three dumb questions

I use cardboard rounds for 8 inch and under, custom cut foamcore for all others. I like cake drums for decorative bases.

I use foam core for my tiers, the base - the whole shabang! Won't use cardboard ever - too flimsy.

thank you jamie! i am going to try this! i like the idea of having a nice big guide for smoothing (cause i need all the help i can get in that dept...).
diane

It helps immensely! I put each cake tier on it's own foam core circle, the same size as the cake, maybe a little bigger. Then, put that on another precut foam. I put all of that on the turntable, ice the cake, and with my bench scraper, smooth away using the outer largest foam cirlce as the guide. Carefully pop in the fridge to set, and then remove the cake from the larger foam core circle. Perfectly smooth straight icing, and no border whatsoever. Works great!

i love that idea! you're terrific! thank you!

cardboards rounds all the way. A single cardboard between tiers for stacked cakes, and I'll wrap up 2 or 3 boards for a base. I buy them by the case and don't have to spend any time cutting them.

Thanks all for your input!!

Generally it seems that most lean towards using the foam cores over cardboard.

I guess with anything it depends what works best for the individual; i'll have to experiment.. but i'm looking forward to using the foam =]