Masterson Sta-Wet Premier Palette Airtight Paint Palette Keeps Paint Fresh for Days 12 x 16 Inches, Made in USA

Love this pallet for keeping paint wet longer! Truly a key component for acrylic painters! Worth every penny!

It may take a bit of getting used to, but this palette really makes it much easier to work with acrylics by extending their workable life without degrading the paint. I am able to save mixed colors for days. I also use matte flow acrylics, which seem to be extra-dry, so this helps slow things down and allows more deliberation, if that's your thing.

The seal is tight.

It works well - it’s really large though. Wish I purchased the smaller one but it works as described. It’s nice to preserve a color palette and not remixing everyday trying to achieve that color.

Generally I like the idea of this palette. But it doesn’t snap shut tightly. I use a bungee cord to hold it together. When I transport it to my art class I have to make sure the palette box doesn’t tip or the paper will shift & fold over inside the box. It does keep the paint from hardening! That’s a plus. It is a process to use it by soaking the sponge pad & soaking the palette paper. You only have to do that maybe once a month, as long as you keep it sealed tight so the moisture doesn’t evaporate. Overall I like it with the drawbacks mentioned. That’s why I gave it 3 stars.

Easy to set up and keeps my acrylic paints wet for weeks!

The Masterson Sta-Wet Premier Palette does precisely what it says-my acrylic paint certainly has not dried out one bit despite a couple weeks of neglect.The box is made of white plastic and is very roomy. The bottom is not totally flat though-a number of crisscrossing plastic lines make it uncomfortable to hold. Coupled with the size of the box, it makes for a poor palette, so expect to keep this grounded unless you opt for a smaller size.The lid is a flexible red plastic and snaps down when aligned correctly. It has numerous circular support columns that will touch paint, so ensure that you're always putting the lid on the same way you did before, or else you will contaminate your colors.The palette itself stays wet due to a durable sponge and some special paper. You soak the sponge and paper to start, and then add water periodically to the sponge as needed. Since the box is relatively air tight with the lid closed properly, the sponge does not need to be as thoroughly soaked when stored since less evaporation will occur (I could never get it to be fully "airtight" as claimed, so I was susceptible to some water loss). Indeed, the instructions directly warn you against over saturating when not in use as mold may develop. I have had the product for a few weeks now and have only ever had to add water once.I use the palette exclusively for acrylic paint. Due to the nature of the Sta-Wet system and because acrylic is water-based, my paint does thin out a little bit. It stays mostly in the area I mix it in, but be sure to allow for some spreading when mixing your paints.The box comes with five sheets of paper that sit atop the sponge, and they can be easily cut when dry. The instructions claim that the paper can withstand mixing from even metal tools, and I can attest that it holds it very well to plastic ones.Overall, I'm very happy with it. The price is already low, but I believe the box has already saved me a good bit in non-wasted paint. It certainly has saved me a lot of frustration from having to remix colors, and as an untrained hobbyist painter, that's invaluable.

This is a fabulous product! I rarely finish my paintings the same day, and now I don't have to worry about losing my palette of mixes until I am finished. The lid securely shuts and locks out all the air, leaving the unused paints for the next time I pry open the lid. It will keep most of the dibs and dabs moist for at least a month. The sponge is washable - I do it by hand - and the 12-16 is spacious. While I wouldn't throw it around, the rods sticking down in several places inside the lid keep the palette paper in place in case you have to carry it under your arm rather than flat.The container comes in various sizes, so you don't have to limit yourself to large or small. It's been a pleasure to use it, and the acrylics instructor refers to it whenever there are new people in our classes. I'm not the first to use something like this, but it was new when I first took it to class.I can't remember if it came with a sponge and a few sheets or if I bought them separately. Either way, both items can be ourchased together or separately. The sponge will eventually stain if you keep the paint on it long enough, but it's not an issue because wash it, and the next palette sheet covers it up for your next painting.So worth it!!!