I made a cake, covered in fondant, and I cut out a fondant oval plaque to put on the front. I did a monogram design on rice paper, and attached it to the oval plaque, but could not get it to stay flat. I tried piping gel, but it got bubbly where I put the gel (I only put it around the edge.) I tried brushing it all over with shortening, and applying that, but after chilling, parts of it lifted off the fondant. Am I doing something wrong, or is there a better way?

I've used piping gel and I've used plain water, but there are two things that might help. One: use very little of either one, because using too much ruins the rice paper. Two: put the water or piping gel on the fondant, not on the rice paper. Hope that helps!

I use piping jelly, bit it really needs to be a ver small amount. I basically spread it on the fontant and then take off as much as I can. Then add the rice paper image.
HTH