I need to apply edible images to cakes but on the sides of buttercream frosted cakes.

Has anyone done this and if, so should I put the edible images onto a dried fondant support in order for the butter not to seep into the image?

How to ensure that the edible images don't slide of the sides of the cake?

I would be most grateful for your suggestions on how to do this.

Putting the image on a backing of thin fondant is a good idea   There is little to no chance of butter staining it   The reason is to make placement easier   Once the IM touches icing it sticks making repositioning almost impossible:(         

I agree that attaching the image to a thin piece of fondant would make adjusting it and placing it on the side of the cake much easier.