Masterson Sta-Wet Premier Palette Review: Does It Work?
An airtight palette box with a sponge under a sheet of membrane paper. How it keeps acrylic paint workable between sessions, and the small upkeep it asks for.
Yes, for acrylic painters who paint in short sessions. The listing says paint stays workable for days or even weeks with the lid closed [1], on a large 12 x 16 inch surface [1]. Skip it for a watercolorist, and note that oil painters need separate oil palette paper [1].
By Andrew Pataleta, GiftX founder · Updated November 3, 2026 · Sources
Specs at a glance
| Mixing surface | 12 x 16 inches [1] |
| Lid | Airtight [1] |
| Included | Sponge and 5 sheets of palette paper [1] |
| Made for | Water based paint [1] |
| Oil use | With oil palette paper [1] |
| Paint life | Days or weeks with the lid closed [1] |
| Model | 105 [1] |
Pros and cons
- The sponge needs rinsing now and then or it can smell
- Palette paper is a running cost once the starter sheets are gone
- Wet acrylic can feel a little thinner on the damp paper
Acrylics dry while you think
Acrylic paint dries fast. That is great on the canvas and a waste on a plate palette, where a pile of mixed color skins over in an hour and goes in the trash. The Sta-Wet fixes that with a damp sponge under a sheet of membrane paper, which feeds moisture to the paint from below [1].
Close the airtight lid at the end of the evening and the same mixes are ready the next day.
The box, the sponge and the paper
The Premier is the large model, with a 12 x 16 inch mixing surface [1]. That is enough room for a full set of tube colors plus mixing space for a mid sized canvas. The box comes with the sponge and five sheets of Sta-Wet palette paper [1].
The listing says paint stays workable for days or even weeks with the lid closed [1]. It also notes the palette works for oils when oil palette paper is used [1].
Upkeep and small trade-offs
A wet sponge in a closed box needs a rinse now and then. Painters who forget can get a musty smell, so a quick wash every week or two keeps it fresh. Spare palette paper becomes a small running cost.
Some painters find paint on the damp paper slightly thinner than straight from the tube. Those who want stiff, heavy texture leave a dab of fresh paint at the edge of the paper.
Who gets the most from it
It suits acrylic painters with short evening sessions, who start a painting on Tuesday and come back on Thursday. A watercolorist gets little from it, since watercolor rewets on its own.
Pair it with the Liquitex BASICS or ARTEZA acrylic sets from this guide, or add the U.S. Art Supply six pack of canvases so the fresh paint has somewhere to go.
FAQ
How long does paint stay wet in the Masterson Sta-Wet palette?
The listing says paint stays workable for days or even weeks with the lid closed [1]. In practice that depends on keeping the sponge damp and the lid shut. For a painter who works a few evenings a week, the Masterson Sta-Wet Premier Palette means mixed colors carry over between sessions [1]
Can you use the Sta-Wet palette for oil paint?
Yes, with the right paper. The listing says the Masterson Sta-Wet Premier Palette is also great for oils when oil palette paper is used [1]. The included sheets are for water based paint, so an oil painter needs to buy the separate oil sheets [1]
Is the Masterson Sta-Wet palette good for watercolor?
Not really. Watercolor rewets with a brush once it dries, so it does not need a wet palette. The Masterson Sta-Wet Premier Palette is made for acrylic painters who lose paint to drying, and that is the person it suits best [1]
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Sources and how we checked
- Amazon.com listing for the Masterson Sta-Wet Premier Palette
Source check: Amazon prices and contents above were checked on November 3, 2026. We did not test these products hands-on. Picks are based on manufacturer specs, Amazon listings and the reasons people actually give these gifts.
As an Amazon Associate, GiftX earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability change, so check Amazon for the current price.