I am a watercolor artist who usually uses Arches W/C. I tried using the Stonehenge Aqua CP 300# and although I like the performance overall, I find that when masking, the top layer of the sheet pulls off with the tape. I have also had some issues with lifting where the pigment does not pull out of the sheet as well as Arches. Why am I experiencing this?

Updated October 2026

Ross,

Thanks for giving Stonehenge Aqua CP a try. Every watercolor paper behaves a little differently, and how easily a color lifts also depends on the paint. Some pigments stain more than others and are hard to lift on any paper.

On the masking: Stonehenge Aqua's surface keeps color luminous and workable, and that same surface asks for care with tape. Ordinary masking tape can grab hard enough to pull up the top layer when it comes off. That can happen on Hot Press and Cold Press, even with low-tack tape. Use Holbein Soft Tape (https://holbeinartistmaterials.com/accessories/soft-tape-frisket/), let your painting dry completely, warm the tape with a hair dryer on low, and peel slowly at a low angle, pulling to the side. The full steps, plus masking fluid tips, are in our Stonehenge Aqua FAQ: https://legionpaper.com/faq-stonehenge-aqua

I wish I had read this post earlier. I also am finding the masking tape peels off the paper on both hot and cold pressed papers. Very disappointing. I like to keep the edges white. Is there anything I can try to avoid this?

Hi Barbara,

Can you please drop us an email to info [at] legionpaper.com with your contact details? We'd like to learn a bit more about your process and also share some tips and information with you.

Thank you,
Legion Paper

Hello there. I too have had trouble taping borders when painting on Stonehenge Aqua watercolor paper, but I love the paper itself. It's been exasperating. I found this page while looking for a solution. However, now that I see Legion is using synthetic sizing ~ only synthetic sizing ~ in the paper, I'm delighted. Thank you, Legion, for leaving the animals alone! Stay well, Everyone. May you thrive.

Updated October 2026

Ordinary masking tape, low-tack included, can still lift the surface of Stonehenge Aqua. Here's what works:

1. Use Holbein Soft Tape (https://holbeinartistmaterials.com/accessories/soft-tape-frisket/).
2. To lower the tack even more, press the tape against a clean cotton T-shirt before you apply it.
3. Let your painting dry completely.
4. Warm the tape with a hair dryer on low heat and low speed, held 6–9 inches away.
5. Peel slowly, folding the tape back on itself at a low angle and pulling to the side. Don't pull straight up.

More detail, including masking fluid, is in our Stonehenge Aqua FAQ: https://legionpaper.com/faq-stonehenge-aqua

This is not a problem that is improved any and I've tried with multiple different tapes and even with the trick of putting the tape on my clothes first to reduce tackiness. Paper tears every single time.

Updated October 2026

Holbein Soft Tape (https://holbeinartistmaterials.com/accessories/soft-tape-frisket/) is the tape we recommend for Stonehenge Aqua. It held up in testing with watercolor artists and came off clean. Pair it with a slow, warm removal; the steps are in our Stonehenge Aqua FAQ: https://legionpaper.com/faq-stonehenge-aqua

Thanks all of the above for the solutions. I do like the paper, Stonehenge Aqua Coldpress and will try a hair dryer, then the Holbeins soft tape. Blessings. Jim

Hi all, I have also seen the tape lifting issue with the Stonehenge Hot Press Watercolor paper. That never happens with regular Stonehenge. BTW have seen the issue with one other non-Legion watercolor paper, too.

Out of curiosity, what is the difference in the composition of the regular Stonehenge compared to the Stonehenge Watercolor ie sizing, fiber content, layers, etc? The thinness of the upper layer in Stonehenge Watercolor was unexpected.

thanks

The main difference between Stonehenge and Stonehenge Aqua is the sizing.

Here's a video that the artist David Becker produced about using Holbein's SoftTape:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKPACcT41OU

Which has more size, the regular or the watercolor Stonehenge?

Also, is the paper composition the same? The watercolor version seems to have a thin outer paper layer on top, but the regular doesn't.

When I remove tape on the watercolor version, it can remove the thin outer layer or leave a "bubble" of the thin outer layer still attached to the surface of the paper.

When I remove tape on the regular, there's occasionally a few fibers removed in some spots, but never a layer removed or bubble effect.

thanks

Stonehenge Aqua has significantly more internal and external sizing than Stonehenge. This additional sizing allows one to work the liquid on the surface of the paper so it doesn't absorb into the sheet as quickly. The composition of both Stonehenge and Stonehenge Aqua is 100% cotton. However, the Stonehenge Aqua is a soft watercolor paper. Due to this softness we suggest to use the Holbein SoftTape instead of masking tape.