I was wondering what some inexpensive thing's people use for their cake boards and to cover their boards... I have been using card board, but especially for round cakes it's hard to get a perfect circle and always have pieces of the cardboard sticking out.. I have been using aluminum foil to cover my board but would love to venture out and use other things.. But inexpensive!!

Thanks for any ideas!

I use foamboard covered with fondant. The foamboards come from Walmart for $2.99 each and you can cut several boards from one foamboard (use a box cutter with a sharp new blade). I use leftover fondant (just freeze it until I need it) for the boards. I glue a ribbon around the edge...the ribbon costs about $3 a spool but you can do a bunch of boards with just one spool. I usually keep it in black and white and only buy other colors if I really need them.

Hobby Lobby sells rolls of gift wrapping paper that does not even require contact paper on top its grease proof. Whole roll with 50ft for 4.99 (I do use contact paper on most even if its grease proof) you shouldn't have any trouble with cardborad if you trace your circle using a larger pan and than use a 'box cutter' to cut it out. tha'ts going to be your cheapest option. I personally buy a sheet of thin wood and my husband cuts what ever size i need. I end up spending about 1 dollar per board. but very strong and reusable

I use cardboard or corplast (plastic cardboard) and cut my own. I use several layers, depending on the thickness I want. I cover them with wrapping paper (you can get loads of it on sale after a holiday, etc.) since the cake is on its on board and doesn't rest on the paper.

One *never!* knows where that cardboard has been and/or what has walked/craweled on it No way would I use cardboard boxes. They are not strong enough either; you would have to use 3 stacked together to get any strength.
The cost of boards and boxes should be included in what you are charging for the cake. It is miminmul(sp?) Please reconsider your options. Cake boards are available for a reason

I have my husband go to a large home fix-it store and purchase a huge sheet of particle board then he cuts it into rounds or squares as needed. I use contact paper that can be found at WalMart in rolls in the housewares department - it's basically shelf paper - but sticky on one side - then I wrap the particle board in the contact paper and secure it on the other side with extra heavy shipping tape. The final step is to secure double sided tape along the border then put a nice coordinating ribbon on the double sided tape - because the act of wrapping the contact paper around the board leaves fold lines - unattractive. For the plates under tiers, I too use foamcore board.

You can cut perfect circles out of foam core with a drywall cutter. Check a hardware store or home improvement store.

Cover your boards with freezer paper shiny side out. Grease proof food safe and very cheap.

Please make sure what your using is food safe! Not all paper is food safe!

I use either freezer paper or fondant to cover my cake boards (drums, cake circles or foam core), depending on the design of the cake. Most often, I go with freezer paper, its durable, grease proof, quick and budget friendly. I won't use wrapping paper, its not food safe (dyes/chemicals).

I did a cake where I painted the board with chocolate. It looked really cool but it is textured. I just used left over candy melts and it didn't take much to cover the board.

As for the boards themselves, my time and frustration is worth what I pay for with boards. Our local cake shop carries new boards by Dallas Foam and they are awesome. Food safe, grease proof and thick! They are not the cheapest option but they look very professional and are very sturdy and I don't have to cover them with anything because they are a lovely white. I just edge with the a ribbon. I used it on the Elmo cake in my pics.

...What exactly is contact paper; where can you get that at?...
I see no one has replied to this ? - sorry about that
It is shelf liner. It can be purchased at many grocery stores, places like Wal-Mart and even some $ stores.
It has glue (is sticky) on one side; either clear or printed on the other and is plastic.
NOW: some people has contacted the company and have been told not to use it for this application ........ they are covering their butts...... the reasoning given is that when the cake is cut tiny slivers of the plastic can be served. Well that can happen with *ANY* non-edible covering (aluminum foil, freezer wrap, etc) so I cannot agree.
Use your own judgement knowing the above
For years (and still I think) many people has used florist foils. They certainly are NOT the best choice as many (if not all) have lead used in making them.
A safe way is to cover your board with *whatever* you want - including fabric, foils, contac paper etc) , then put the cake on another board the exact size of the cake, which is then glued to the fancy covered board.