Garpernics Stay Wet Palette for Acrylic Painting - Wet Palette Tray with Sponges and 100 Papers for Miniatures Review (2026)

What comes in the box

The Garpernics Stay Wet Palette ships as a starter kit: a plastic case that doubles as the water reservoir and lid, one black PVA sponge, and 100 sheets of palette paper. That paper supply is generous for the price and should last most hobby painters many months of regular use before a refill is needed. The tray measures roughly 6 by 8.3 inches, a modest footprint that fits easily next to a paint rack or lamp on a hobby desk. Setup is simple: add water to the case, let the sponge soak it up, lay a paper sheet on top, and start mixing paint directly on the surface.

How well it keeps paint wet

The sponge is made from PVA material rather than standard craft foam, and PVA holds and releases water more evenly over time, which is the main reason wet palettes work at all. In practice, painters using this palette report that mixed acrylic paint stays workable for roughly three to four days once the lid is sealed, which is enough to carry custom mixed colors across several painting sessions in a week. That is shorter than some premium palettes claim, but it comfortably beats an open paint palette where thin acrylic can skin over in under an hour. For anyone new to wet palette painting, that difference alone changes how much paint gets wasted.

Paper quality and seal

The included paper is usable for miniature painting but is a step down from premium hydro sheets bundled with higher priced palettes. It holds up fine for normal sessions, but independent hobby reviewers note it can break down a little faster than premium paper when left saturated for long stretches, so very long term storage of a single paper sheet may show more wear than pricier alternatives. The plastic case lid is not described as being as tightly sealed as dedicated premium wet palettes, so painters leaving the palette unused for a week or more between sessions may see paint dry out faster than the multi day claim suggests.

Value for beginners

At around ten dollars, this is one of the more affordable ways to find out whether wet palette painting suits your habits before spending more on a premium tray. The 100 included papers mean there is no immediate need to buy refills, which removes one of the recurring costs that can make trying a wet palette feel like a bigger commitment than it is. It is a reasonable pick for someone painting Warhammer or D&D miniatures casually, or for students and beginners who want to reduce wasted paint without a large upfront cost. Experienced painters doing daily detailed work may eventually want to upgrade to a palette with a tighter seal.

Who it suits best

This palette is best suited to hobbyists just starting out with acrylics on miniatures, or anyone who wants a low cost backup palette alongside a nicer one. The generous paper supply and PVA sponge make it functional for keeping paint fresh across a normal painting week, and the compact size keeps desk clutter down. Painters who need paint to stay wet for many weeks without attention, or who want the tightest possible seal for travel, should look toward pricier dedicated miniature wet palettes instead. For casual to regular hobby use on a budget, it does the core job it promises.

Frequently asked questions