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I've switched to wet palette several months ago. Selfmade ones.
I've "build" two palettes, with different cases. For both I've used car washing sponges (quite big and absorbent). The problem is, these sponges float...
I want the water to almost reach the top of the sponge in the case, otherwise the top of the sponge won't be really that wet. But after adding some water, the sponge start to rise from the bottom.
Tried some double sided tape on the bottom of the case but, as expected, it lasted shortly once the case was filled with water.

So, am I using wrong sponges? Actually, I've rarely seen sponges drown in a bucket/sink; they tipically float.
My next try would be with some layers of old clothes, that could do the trick. Altought they probably dry out a little quickly.
I've read about using paper towel or other disposable tissues. I don't really like this solution due to the fact that the tissues tend to break apart after a while in the water, and I prefer to use something more environment-friendly materials, that I don't have to throw away often. (...one can comment that I've already littered way more by throwing away 2 sponges than what I'll do by throwing away N disposable tissues in the whole wet palette's lifetime. Well, yeah... you are right. But maybe someone reading this very thread in the future won't do my mistakes)

What are your hints?

Sounds like your wet palette goals are too wet. I use the following set up:

- Lid of a "clip-seal" tub (so maybe 5 mm deep at most.
- Paper kitchen towel, the equivalent of about 4 sheets "deep",
- A sheet of palette paper,

Place the kitchen towel in the recessed side of the lid, add water until it is wet through but there is no excess around the edges, lay your palette paper on top.

With this you can clip the "bottom" part of the tub on top in between painting sessions and this will preserve the paint as wet for a fair few days.

You can also use the "bottom" section to place your paint pots in when they're open so if there are any spillages they don't go on your desk.

This set up can be assembled for less than £10 (convert to currency of choice) and has served me well for some time.

Rik

So you are using the box upside down? Interesting!
I'm using a not-so-deep box, like 3 cm deep.

Anyway, regarding the "spongy" material, as said I prefer a non-disposable one. To follow your "depth" advice, a kitchen rag could be ok.

I used to use paper towels as well and had no problems with tearing (paper towels shouldn't break in water, toilet paper does). I however read an article which suggested using cellulose sponge cloth (those cheap ones you use to clean your kitchen) as the sponge. I find it that they hold the water better than the paper towel, are reusable and I don't have to fold the paper towels into my container anymore.

Tought about that. But I was a little concerned about the perfumes/anti-mold/wathever that is usually added to cleaning sponges, that can (??) interfere with paint.

I use paper towels myself, but my advice would be simply not to use more water than the sponge can soak up so that it doesn't float. Pour water on it until it starts pooling around the sponge, then pour out the excess and just keep the wet sponge.

By the way, if you use a sandwich box or something else with a lid that you can close, the paper towels will stay damp for weeks, and if you use good ones, they don't tear either. I'm not trying to talk you out of trying not to be wasteful (this hobby is pretty bad in that regard as it is), but it's really not a huge deal, and sponges eventually have to be replaced too.

 spacehamster wrote:
(this hobby is pretty bad in that regard as it is)

Come on, sometimes we have to lie to ourself a little.

il_mix wrote:
Tought about that. But I was a little concerned about the perfumes/anti-mold/wathever that is usually added to cleaning sponges, that can (??) interfere with paint.

Hmm, haven't heard about that. Anti-mold might be good though, I've seen that some people throw copper wire into the water and that supposedly keeps mold from forming. I just rinse the sponge every week or two when I change the parchment paper. The sponges I use are exactly like this, just another brand: https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Clean-Biodegradable-Cellulose-Sponge/dp/B01BZMJ3T0. It's biodegradable, doesn't smell like anything and I doubt that it has any chemicals in it. I'm certain it does not interfere with the paint in any way.

Paper towels are biodegradable. Just throw them in the compost (or equivalent) and you're not really taxing the environment.

Finally bought some cellulose (actually 75% cellulose, 25% cotton. Whatever...), like the one linked by mcmattila. Altought no additive is signaled on the package, they smell quite funny. So I've boiled them, just in case.
Noticed that they still float. Simply added less water, as suggested by Rik Lightstar.
Will test the next days.

Thanks for your tips!