If you love working on watercolor paper but also love the look and stability of Trekell’s Baltic birch panels, you do not have to choose between them. You can combine both by mounting your favorite paper onto a panel and turning it into a ready‑to‑hang, frame‑friendly surface.
Trekell Pro Team Artist Mallory Hart uses this approach to get the best of both worlds: the familiar feel of watercolor paper and the strength and cool shapes of Trekell panels. Here is how you can do the same thing step by step.
Why mount watercolor paper to a panel?
Watercolor and drawing papers are beautiful to work on, but they can buckle, wrinkle, or feel fragile, especially at larger sizes. Mounting paper onto a panel solves several problems at once.
- You get a rigid, stable surface that will not warp or buckle when wet.
- Your finished piece is already on a panel, ready for framing or hanging.
- You can use unique panel shapes (like shields and icons) while still painting on the paper you trust.
If you already like Trekell’s Baltic birch panels for acrylics and oils, this method lets you bring watercolor, ink, colored pencil, and mixed media into the mix without giving up that solid support.
What you will need
Here is the basic setup Mallory uses when mounting watercolor paper to a Trekell panel:
- A Trekell Baltic birch panel in your chosen size and shape.
- Your watercolor paper of choice, cut slightly larger than the panel (you can trim flush after mounting).
- Golden Gel Matte Medium as the adhesive.
- A brush for spreading the gel medium.
- Clean pencils or similar smooth round objects to help roll out bubbles and press the paper down.
- Something to add weight (books, extra panels, or a flat board with weights) while the piece dries.
- A sharp razor knife or craft knife and a straight edge for trimming excess paper once everything is dry.
Before you begin, make sure your hands, tools, and work surface are clean to avoid transferring dust or oils onto the papevr or panel.
Step 1: Prepare the panel and paper
Start with a clean, dry Trekell Baltic birch panel. If the surface has dust or loose fibers, lightly wipe it with a clean, dry cloth. If needed, you can very lightly sand and wipe off the dust, but avoid leaving any residue on the surface.
Cut your watercolor paper so it is slightly larger than the panel on all sides. This gives you a bit of extra margin in case the paper shifts during mounting. You can trim it flush with the panel once everything is fully dry.
Lay both the panel and the paper flat in front of you so you can move quickly once the gel medium is applied.
Step 2: Apply Golden Gel Matte Medium
Using your brush, apply an even layer of Golden Gel Matte Medium onto the face of the panel. You want full coverage all the way to the edges, but not so thick that it pools or leaves ridges.
- Work the gel medium across the entire surface in smooth strokes.
- Make sure there are no dry spots or obvious thick blobs.
- Pay extra attention to the corners and edges so the paper will adhere well there.
You want a consistent, wet layer that will stay workable long enough to position your paper, but not so heavy that it soaks through or creates lumps.
Step 3: Lay down the watercolor paper
With the gel still wet, carefully place your watercolor paper onto the panel. You can:
- Start by aligning one edge or corner and then gently roll the rest of the paper down.
- Or, hover the paper over the panel, line up your position, and lower it from the center outward.
Take your time to avoid trapping large air pockets. Once the paper is down, do not pull it up and reset, as this can stretch or damage it. Instead, work from the center out to adjust and smooth.
Step 4: Smooth out bubbles and secure the bond
Using your hands first, gently press from the center of the paper outward toward the edges to start pushing out any trapped air and excess medium.
Then, take your pencils (or other smooth round tools) and use them as a gentle roller:
- Place a pencil on the paper and roll it lightly from the center toward the edges.
- Repeat in different directions, overlapping your passes so you cover the entire surface.
- Be careful not to press so hard that you crease or scratch the paper.
This step helps ensure even contact between the paper and the panel, reduces bubbles, and spreads the gel into a uniform layer underneath.
Step 5: Add weight and let it dry
Once the paper is smoothed and you are happy with the placement, it is time to let the adhesive do its work.
- Lay a clean sheet of paper or plastic over your watercolor paper to protect it.
- Place a flat board, additional panels, or books on top to add even weight.
- Make sure the weight covers the entire mounted area so the paper dries flat.
Leave the panel under weight for the full drying time recommended for Golden Gel Matte Medium. This usually means overnight or longer, depending on your environment. Patience here pays off with a smooth, secure bond.
Step 6: Trim and finish the edges
When everything is completely dry, carefully remove the weights and protective sheet.
Use your razor knife or craft knife and a straight edge to trim the excess watercolor paper flush with the edges of the panel. Work slowly and make several light passes rather than trying to cut through in one go. Support the panel as you work so you do not tear the paper or chip the edges.
At this point, you have a clean, mounted watercolor surface on a Trekell Baltic birch panel, ready for painting, drawing, or further prep if you like.
Now you can use Trekell panels for your paper work
If you usually work only on loose watercolor paper or drawing pads, this method opens up a lot of new options.
- You can turn your favorite paper into a rigid, gallery-ready piece.
- You can take advantage of Trekell’s unique panel shapes while still working on paper.
- You can make framing and hanging easier, since the piece already has a solid backing.
Whether you are painting in watercolor, working in ink, or drawing in colored pencil and mixed media, mounting your paper onto a Trekell panel lets you combine the surface you love with the structure you trust.
To try this process yourself, you can grab:
- Your favorite Trekell Baltic birch panel in any shape you like.
- Golden Gel Matte Medium.
- Your preferred watercolor or drawing paper.
- A sharp razor knife or craft knife for clean trimming.
Then follow Mallory’s steps above and turn your paper pieces into finished, ready‑to‑hang artworks that sit proudly on a Trekell panel.
