How To Stretch Watercolor Paper On Gatorboard. First you soak the paper, then you stretch it. I then take the watercolor paper with the drawing on it to the sink.
Use a clean paper towel or sponge to blot excess water from the sheet. Then, apply blue painter’s tape around the edge of the paper, leaving whatever size border you want. Watercolor paper in prepared blocks will dry flat also, if left on the block to dry.
Then, apply blue painter’s tape around the edge of the paper, leaving whatever size border you want.
I'm a beginner to watercolor; As the screws on the frame of the board are tightened, tension is placed on the outside edges of the paper. She suggested we may want to use gatorboard. Someplace in these discussions i saw somebody say that you don't soak and stretch when using gatorboard.