I was wondering if there's any best ways to secure real ribbon around a cake. For fondant cake, I use dabs of royal icing, but for BC cake, I have problem with the shortening in BC staining the ribbon. I've tried rapping acetate strip around the bottom under the real ribbon, but I'm just wondering if there's better way of doing this. Thanks for your suggestions.

You can use the doubleface tape that is found in the scrapbooking department. Try using wax paper under the ribbon that is going over buttercream.

you can melt down a little fondant with a few drops of water in the microwave for 8 secs ( no more it burns ) give it a stir if it is too thick add a little more boiling water to it drop by drop . I use a small paintbrush to apply this sparingly to the cake where you want the ribbon adhered to. it is also great for adding fondant side designs or securing flowers. I don't thin it down so much if I am securing flowers . Can also be used to stick body parts together in models . If it hardens just reheat for a further 8 seconds and stir again.

It doesn't stain the ribbon

Thank you, dsilvest and Chellescakes. Those are great ideas! I'll surely give them a try!

Iron the ribbon with wax paper. The wax will adhere to the ribbon and will create a barrier between the bc and ribbon.

I used to spread crisco on both sides of ribbon and then wipe off excess with a paper towel but it was such a messy job. Now i spray both sides of the ribbon with Pam spray and it works perfect. Ribbon sometimes gets a shade darker but it's still better than having grease spots on the ribbon.

I read on here to use packing tape. I lined the ribbon with clear packing tape, but it along the one edge so you wouldn't see the ribbon and it went on the cooled buttercream cake very well. I will be doing this in the future, cheap and fast!

These are really great suggestions! I'm taking notes to try them all! Thank you all for your help!