I am curious what type of adhesive (piping gel, royal icing etc.) when covering your boards (plywood or masonite, etc.) with fondant - Piping gel is so unforgiving. How to and materials used would be appreciated. Thnks in advance!

I use foamcore. I don't use anything to stick the fondant down, just put a blob of fondant in the middle of the board and then roll in all directions. Then glue a ribbon around the edge of the board. In a couple of days the board hardens enough that sometimes I've had people think it was ceramic and try to return it.

I covered a plywood board recently. I just used crisco when rolling out the fondant and then pressed down as I smoothed it on the board. It stuck beautifully.

I use water. Not too much though - just enough to moisten the board a little. Works well.

I use water too, just a little using a pastry brush to moisten the surface. And I don't actually cover the whole board, just the strip that shows after the cake is placed on the board.

We use piping gel. But instead of putting the fondant on the board, we roll out the fondant and put the board gel side down on top of the rolled fondant.

What about if you are using one of those thick cardboard boards that are covered in the decorative foil? What would you use? I am doing a patchwork look too so I will only be adding fondant piece by piece.

Same stuff, water, shortening or piping gel. I've all 3 on all types of boards, even the silver drums.

Thanks. What about the ribbon on the sides? Can I just hot glue that since it's not technically touching any food and the fondant covering the board won't be eaten?

Can I just put the fondant covered cake directly on the fondant covered board or does it need to be on it's on board to separate the cake and fondant covered board?

Water or shortening. I have used both but usually use water.

You can use hot glue as long as it will not show through the ribbon - I have never tried it - I use one of those school glue sticks (called Pritt Stick over here...) all around the edge and then stick the ribbon on.