Last updated July 28, 2026. By Andrew M. Tan.
A wet palette is a key tool in any miniature painter’s arsenal. There are a number on the market, including the Masterson Sta-Wet palette. For simplicity and ease-of-setup, the Sta-Wet is utilitarian, and it is one of the most popular wet palettes you can buy. But there are times when you want to use your own palette paper instead of the store-bought sheets, or when you’re making a DIY wet palette. What paper should you use?
Are you looking for a cheaper alternative to the palette paper that comes with most kits? Kitchen parchment paper. Here’s the substitute that works, and why it beats what ships in the box.
RELATED: BEST WET PALETTES FOR PAINTING MINIATURES AND MODELS (REVIEW)
I’ve tried all types of wet palettes: the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) disaster and even the fancier “Everlasting Wet Palette” (Red Grass Games). These are either mold-farms or over-hyped and expensive palettes.
How you make a wet palette requires a few items: a water-tight container, a sponge of some sort to hold the water, and a water-permeable membrane (e.g., usually a paper material).
What I discovered, that although DIY options work well, and “how to make a wet palette” instructions and tutorials are everywhere, the simplicity of a commercial system is unbeatable.
Yes, they do cost a little money, but not much.
Masterson Sta-Wet Palette Is the Most Popular Wet Palette for Miniature Painters
The best wet palette in my professional opinion is the Sta-Wet Palette. Tried and true, it’s been around for many, many years! Why fix it?
Okay, the paper that comes with the Sta-Wet palette kit sucks (see problems below). The solution? Reynolds Parchment Paper.
The Masterson Sta-Wet palette fills my happy middle ground for painting miniatures. Masterson even makes a bigger sized palette if you’re looking for more paint mixing space. If I had more table space for painting miniatures, I’d get the larger size.
I tend to use wet palettes to mix colors for layering and glazing on miniatures, including matching colors across paint brands when a specific shade isn’t sitting in my collection.
Problems with Commercial Wet Palette Papers
- Expensive
- May not work with thin paint mediums, such as those used by miniature painters, e.g., Citadel, Vallejo brand paints
Given that wet palette paper is disposable, the use of commercially available wet palette paper can get pricey. This is true if you replace your palette paper after every session.
No matter what you do, the paper will get tossed.
The other issue with general wet palette paper, is that miniature paints are much thinner than other paint mediums.
That is, acrylics we use for painting minis are thinner and absorb into the palette paper. The Everlasting Wet Palette I mentioned has overcome this with a different kind of paper. However, the paper is pricey (relative to alternatives that work just as well), cut to size only for their version of the wet palette, and doesn’t do a better job.
What Do I Recommend for Paper?
I’ve discovered that you don’t actually need to buy commercially marketed wet palette paper.
Okay, okay.
I know a ton of you guys already know this, especially those who fall into the DIY palette camp. To make a DIY wet palette, you need good palette paper. What is the best substitute wet palette paper?
Here’s what I think is the best non-indicated paper you can buy for any wet palette: Reynolds Kitchen Parchment Paper. It’s cheap, endless, and functional for all your miniature painting needs.
Reynolds parchment paper comes in huge rolls. Simply, pull a sheet, cut to size and apply to a pre-wetted sponge.
Quick Warning About Choosing Wet Palette Papers for Miniature Paints
Remember to avoid wax paper. The paraffin coating blocks moisture completely, which makes the sheet useless for our miniature painting needs.
You want the water from the sponge to seep through the paper into the paint sitting above. Parchment paper is coated with silicone rather than paraffin, and it still passes enough moisture to keep your paint workable, where a wax sheet seals it off entirely.
Instead, go for plain baking parchment. Read the box before you buy, and if it says wax anywhere, put it back on the shelf.
Other Thoughts on Choosing the Best Tools for Miniature Painting
At the end of the day, we just want to paint miniatures efficiently and effectively. I’ve painted hundreds of miniatures using wet and dry palettes. Everything in this article is an opinion formed through experience. Your mileage may vary (YMMV).
What are you looking for in a wet palette?
For me, that means acrylic paint that doesn’t dry right away, and a palette that lets me mix and thin paints for whatever I’m working on.
Every tool we use for painting miniatures is a personal choice. There is no perfect instrument.
I prefer a wet palette that doesn’t break the bank over time (with constant upkeep). Disposing of old paper and sponges is required to prevent mold.
The Wet Palette and Paper Combination I Use
These two products combined are a powerhouse.
See my gallery or Instagram for miniatures I’ve painted.
Final Thoughts
A wet palette can improve your miniature painting if you know how to use them properly. You can either DIY or buy a wet palette.
If you’re making your own palettes, how do you set yours up?
Let me know with a comment below.
Thank you for reading!
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By Andrew M. Tan
Andrew is a commissioned miniature painter with more than 20 years of hands-on experience painting tabletop miniatures, photographing models, and testing hobby tools in real-world use. Read his full bio.
I tried using parchment paper and found that the paper dries up, even when on a wet sponge, which in turn causes the paint to dry out. Do you have to soak the paper in water first?
Yeah, you need to let both sides of the paper get wet, then lay it down on the sponge.
Hopefully this link helps, showing you a picture of how I use parchment paper.
https://www.facebook.com/TangibleDay/photos/pcb.2872366642828307/2872366266161678/?type=3&theater
I have a Sta Wet Palette that I used for oil painting and never had a sponge. I am now using acrylics. Is it best to buy the Mastersons sponge to fit the Palette or is there a work around. Thanks
The masterson sponge is like any other normal sponge, but it is the right size for the palette. No cutting necessary. It’s not much more expensive than other sponges. The nice thing is the masterson is thin and flat (no texture) so it won’t make bubbles under your acrylic paints :). I hope this helps!
I found if I soaked the Reynolds parchment paper in boiling water, in the same way that is recommended for the Masterson’s paper that it worked even better. It also meant that the paper size was better stabilised, ie it did not stretch randomly or go as crinkley compared to not being pre-soaked. It also seems to make the parchment paper les likely to dry out. The paint does not seem to go through the Reynolds parchment the same way it does with the Mastersons paper and so the sponge stays clean.
Yes! I should mention that too. Thanks for the tip 🙂