Which method do you prefer? Can you use them together? Homemade strips vs. Wilton? TIA.

I use both together. They do the same thing in different ways.

The strips (I use Wilton's) cool down the outside of the pan, so that the sides cook slower, which causes less of the rounded top. When the outer edges cook slower then you don't have as much raising in the middle.

The flower nail/heating core conducts heat to the middle of the cake, helping it to cook faster, like the sides of the cake. Again giving you a flatter top.

Makes sense...thanks!

I use a flower nail with homemade terry cloth strips and get no dome and no need to trim.