I have attached double sided satin black ribbon to buttercream without any problem. To attach a light colored ribbon to a square buttercream cake which would work better - attaching it to freezer paper or wax paper? I'm thinking the freezer paper might be hard to go around the corners. I don't use a crusting buttercream. Any suggestions/tips?

I would make sure the cake is frozen for a few minutes to get the icing firm before putting the ribbon on it. Also I treat my ribbon with oil so it doesn't have to be backed with anything, but I make sure the bride/whoever picks out a color slightly lighter then the end result they're looking for. If you want to use paper I would just fold the paper around the cake first, so you have corner creases, then put on the ribbon, and you shouldn't have a problem with the corners. Good Luck!

Thanks for your suggestion!

I've had to attach ribbon to buttercream on several occasions and I always back it with wax paper and attach it to the ribbon with double sided tape. I've heard that people use the "oil" trick but have never tried it. I do crease the wax paper and use and iron to make sharp edges on the ribbon, works way better than what you see in my pics. Hope this helps!

Sweetviolet - I just looked at your pictures and the "Gold & White square wedding cake is VERY similar to the one I am doing this weekend and why I asked for help! The color gold I need to use may be a little lighter, and the bride also wants buttercream border on top of the ribbon. I wonder if the wax paper is on the back, would it prevent grease stain on the front?

I would do the oil trick so that you don't take a chance, if the border were on top, there is a pretty good chance it can seep into the ribbon. I use my pan spray, spray the ribbon then wipe it down with a paper towel. Quick and easy

so does the pam keep the ribbon from absorbing any more grease from the icing, having the same issue this weekend, TIA

When putting a ribbon on a square cake you mentioned you iron the corners, Im assuming which makes sense to fit it to the cake frist, maybe mark the corners with a indention...

So once the ribbon is sprayed with Pam and wiped off, there will be no further grease stains, as this basically paints it up to match....guess you know what I mean...lol