Any Tips For Inexpensive Cake Boards?
Decorating By georgiapuddinpie Updated 14 Aug 2009 , 10:30pm by diane
Hi,
Just wondering if any of you more experienced cakers have any tips on where I can get inexpensive cake boards? Sometimes it doesnt seem like the Wilton cardboard ones I use are strong enough, so I have been getting plywood ones from lowes. Also, maybe I can use the cardboard ones if I cover them correctly? Any tips on this would be greatly appreciated.
TIA
Amber
If you have the volume and the storage space, I find it more cost effective to buy them by the case. Plus its such a great feeling to ALWAYS have plenty of cardboards on hand instead of having to drive 20 minutes to get ONE missing board that I forgot to get! 
Even if they last you 6 months or more, it's a great convenience.
Hi Amber,
I like to use foam core board for my cake boards. You can pick these up from your local craft store and some dollar stores. I also like to use masonite boards for the base of my cakes if they are tiered otherwise I just use the foam core.
What dollar stores carry this that you know of? Also, is it in Michael's ? If so, what section?
Thanks everyone for all of the helpful suggestions! I love this site and the people on it (so nice and helpful).
I've found them at dollartree and yes Michaels carries them as well in varying sizes (can't remember which isle though, you'll have to ask the associate).
http://www.dollartree.com/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&keyword=foam+core&x=0&y=0
The foamcore boards at Dollar Tree aren't as thick as the ones from the craft store. You may not notice the difference unless you're trying to glue ribbon on the edges 
Hobby Lobby sells foamcore for $2 and sometimes has them on sale for a dollar each.
You need a boxcutter to cut them easily...the best boxcutter I've found is one that looks like a pocket knife, which I got at Home Depot for $8.
Hobby Lobby and Michael's sell the foam core board with their poster board. It's what I use and I stock up when it is on sale.
I've found them at dollartree and yes Michaels carries them as well in varying sizes (can't remember which isle though, you'll have to ask the associate).
http://www.dollartree.com/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&keyword=foam+core&x=0&y=0
Thanks for this tip....never knew Dollar Tree carried foamboard. I am used to paying $3.00 a sheet at Michaels. I can get a case of 50 sheets for $50 [$1 each!] and shipped free to my local Dollar Tree store, about 10 minutes away!
I've already ordered a case!
Do they sell it individual sheets in the stores as well?
Hobby Lobby and Michael's sell the foam core board with their poster board. It's what I use and I stock up when it is on sale.
You can order if from Dollar Tree for only $1.00 a sheet and have it sent to your local store for free....or, if you don't have on in your area, they will ship it to you via UPS.
That was a great tip posted above by xstitcher!!!
The foamcore boards at Dollar Tree aren't as thick as the ones from the craft store. You may not notice the difference unless you're trying to glue ribbon on the edges
Hobby Lobby sells foamcore for $2 and sometimes has them on sale for a dollar each.You need a boxcutter to cut them easily...the best boxcutter I've found is one that looks like a pocket knife, which I got at Home Depot for $8.
The Dollar Tree description says the foam is 3/16 inch thick...that's the same thickness of the Elmer's brand I get at Michaels and it works great.
As to cutting it, squares, rectangles, etc. are easy, but circles are harder.
I found a circle cutter called the LION EV-R-ROUND at www.misterart.com. It will cut circles in the 3/16 inch boards up to 16 inches [never tried it with the 1/2 thick boards] and does a terrific job!
There's also the Foamwerks line of foam board cutters that do a nice job too....I love the drill set that cuts holes up to 1 inch in diameter...perfect for cutting the center hole for the dowel to go through.
here's an idea! 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrLg55cDkAE&feature=related
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