Not sure if this has been asked before, sooooo ... sorry if it has.

Would you emboss or add texture to fondant before or after putting the fondant on cake? I feel like if you add the texture before putting it on the cake, you would kind of smooth the pattern/texture away while adding the fondant.  But, if you add the pattern/texture after you put the fondant on the cake, you risk the chance of smooshing your cake??

Here's a video that might help you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCn6nmoKp3Q&list=PLEE6DD36000552338

After. If your fondant is still pretty soft, you don't have yto push very hard to get an imprint.

Thank you both! I'll try each way & see which works best for me.  Having fun learning as I go!!

I texture the fondant before putting it on the cake.  Doing it on a flat surface gives the clearest impressions. 

It must be picked up very carefully so as not to distort the pattern.  Place it gently on the cake and pat it in place using a soft piece of sponge or memory foam.

OK, question about this method: wont you have to pull the fondant to make sure there are no gaps, the whole cake is covered, etc.  Wont this stretch the pattern?
 

Yes it will stretch IF you did not make your fondant piece larger than the cake itself.  For an 8" circle cake I make a 16" circle texture it and lay it over the cake.  #1 i have texture rolling pins so I have to texture before, #2 I have the mat which makes it easy to lift and place on cake without stretching.

ASounds good. :) Thanks Everyone

You might find this interesting. It shows several methods of dealing with textured fondant:

http://shopcountrykitchen.wordpress.com/2012/08/21/all-about-texture-mats-and-how-to-use-them/

wow, that's great! Thanks. I keep saying this ... I <3 this group!! Everyone is SO helpful!