Welcome to the Cake Decorators Q&A

what’s the best way to fix a template to the side of a square cake ( can’t wrap it around 4 sides)

Hello bobkennuk

Not quite sure whether you mean templates or stencils?? Please could you clarify, thank you.
Anyway in both instances I use a dressmakers pin to hold template/stencil steady against the cake. Some people use low tack tape which shouldn’t mark sugarpaste when removed. The pin does leave the tiniest hole which can be filled in with a small dot of royal icing blended in and washed away. It can also be covered up with a piece of decoration, a flower, a pearl or a small sequine. Lots of ways to hide tiny blemishes. Hope this helps to answer your question. If not please post again if I’ve got it wrong.

Thank you, a pin should do the job. It’s to mark out the area for scratch work, (did it used to be called filigree )

Have a look at some of Elaine MacGregors lovely tutorials on youtube. Just google ‘Elaine MacGregor royal icing’. I learned most of my royal icing work from her, unfortunately can’t see well enough now to carry on with it.

thanks will do