What do you all use for cake boards for cakes you send out? I think that nearly $2 a board for a cardboard cake board is too much, but it's a pia to find the boxes to cut down, and cover with foil......thin wood is great, but costly, I would think.
(I;ve lost my two wooden boards somewhere along the line 
)
I have put cakes into small kitchen trash bags, filled the bag with air, then tied it off at the top. I have done this with both fondant and bc cakes that had fondant accents on the top. It's worked really well for me - doesn't look really professional - but it keeps the cakes clean during transport. And, you can't beat the price.
Oh, I though you were asking about the board/box to transport it.
Lately, I have been using foamcore board cut down to size, I can get them for 1.99 a sheet and can get 2 or 3 cakes worth out of it.... They are pretty sturdy. If it's a really heavy cake I'll double the board.
sorry, I misunderstood and didn't read your message very good....
SLK~
when using foamcore board, do you cover them w/anything, like foil, freezer paper, wax, or something especially when doing stacked cakes. I bought two foam boards that i have yet to cut and try so curious if they should be covered. also, can you cut the board w/good scissors? or do i need to use a blad.
thnx
I use the form core boards now there great I get them for a dollar each and get four cake boards out of each one pending on size of cakes. I cover them in contact paper that I get a buck a roll also. they come in colors so I cover them in clear contact works great for a wedding cake I did I doubled the boards it was well supported. I cut them with a exto (spell check) knife. I trace the pan on the borad then cut cover and place cake no more crack icing from weak boards undereneith
I've started collecting counter tops that are damaged and have my husband cut them down to size of what I need. I have different color counter tops. One thing nice is they wipe up easy. Not professional but works out great. I usually find them in the counter top area of Menards and ask if they have any damaged ones. So far I've been able to buy them for $2.00-$3.00 a piece. My first one was $15.00 as it was a regular counter top (size 2 X 4) before I started looking at the damaged ones.
I hope this helps
Michele
I used to just cut cardboard out of boxes which I picked up at work or at the grocery store; but over the last couple of years, my library saves me the cardboard separators that come in their book deliveries. They are awesome. They fit the 12x18 cake perfectly! I just cut them down a little for the 11x15 cake which is the most common cake I do for customers. I cover the cardboard in freezer wrap. I live in a small town, so the library people all know me; but it's worth a try visiting the library (if all libraries get the same sort of shipping packaging).
Michele,
You must ask your customers for the countertop back, right? I wonder how they like having to give something back ... making a second trip to return it.
I use cardboard from boxes. My parents own a videoclub and they sell sodas, chips, candies etc... so they save me all the boxes from their orders coming in. I arrange them by sizes so when I need one I know what pile to go to. Easy to cut also, and to cover with contact paper. And I also use cake boxes. I get 50 boxes for 46$ (taxes included), that's for the 17x12x6. Smaller ones are even cheaper.
hth
Lorris
the trouble I'm having is that the cardboard flexes and the cake is at risk...
I'm looking at a few big orders this summer (*yikes*) and want to solve this....might have to make a trip to a few local craft places and see what I could find for foamcore. I've not found a good cake store in my city yet....
You could tape a wide strip of cardboard the long way to the back of the board. It would give extra support and not jeopardize the cake.
I was at Lowes the other day looking for a 2 x 2 board for a project we were doing in my daughters room. And that is when I saw all these boards in the lumber section from 1/4 to 2 inches thick - in all sizes - and they were dirt cheep - just a few dollars each. You could cut the board down or leave as is and it would give you a lot of support. Cover it with contact paper, fondant, etc. I've never had a huge cake to make - but if I did, that's the isle I would head on over too.
I just had to tell y'all this!!
I had ran out of cake boards and boxes and did not have time to go to the cake store, so I had my mama stop by walmarts cake dept and they sold her a cake board and box to transport it in for only $2. this was for a 1/2 sheet cake, so it was a fairly big size. Also, the box has a clear pop on cover so it displays the cake nicely. I think this is cheaper then buying boards and boxes seperatly. 
Connie
Okay, not to brag but, I got the deal of a lifetime
on Ebay on the cake boards covered with silver/gold paper.
6- 16 inch gold
6-14 inc gold
4-10inch gold
5-16 inch silver
5-14 inch silver
7-12 inch silver
7-10 inch silver
this would total up $251 at sugarcraft
and I got a lot of 40 on ebay for $98 that's
including shipping. I check ebay everyday.
SLK, I was just in ACE hardware checking
on masonite board. Big sheet for $12. Alot
of little boards for cakes.
I buy my boards in bulk from a local paper company..boxes too. Spend about 49 cents each. call around to any local paper/party stores you may have. Many of them will work out a deal with you if you buy them by the case (usually about 100 in a case).
I put them on the cardboard and then while I'm decorating or delivering I put them on a thin piece of wood that make dad made for me, nothing fancy just for extra support, once I get where I'm going I slide the cake off the wood and then I don't have to worry about getting my board back.
Rcrewof10 , How do you transport your cakes since you use the countertop for your board? I noticed in your pictures the countertop looked bigger than the boxes I have seen. We just remodeled out kitchen I have the piece that was cut out for our sink.
I am new at decorating cakes, although I have baked for years. I am learning as I go by making mistakes. I will definetly use cake boards when I stack cakes. I made a pina colada cake with pineapple filling and the cake broke when I picked it up to move it. I was able to repair the cake, but it was a lesson learned. I will also dowel stacked cakes (especially filled cakes) because my French Vanilla cake with strawberry filling went sliding and that was not salvagable.
I love this board and all I am learning from it.
darkchocolate
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%