Need Help - Warping
 

I am brand new to mixed media. I mostly make cards, so I want to do small mixed media things like tags. So far I have tried it out on cardboard because some tutorials show them using empty cereal boxes. Anyway, how do you prevent the tag from warping? There must be a secret, but tutorials never address it, and they're end product is always "straight" and unwarped. Thanks!

After my projects are dry, I stack lots of heavy books on top of them. To make sure none of the paint sticks to the books, I "sandwich" my project between wax paper. This flattens them out nicely. Even if there is still a curl to this, I'm okay with that because I usually adhere the project to something else - a scrapbook page or card, so the curl isn't even noticeable.

I too mostly make cards. For my mixed media cards I use watercolor or mixed media paper and use pop dots or foam tape around the edges to make it more stable. The regular adhesive tape isn't strong enough. You could try bending your tag the opposite way it's warping after you apply gesso and before you add more mediums like paint or modeling paste.

I am going to say the same thing use Gesso. I also stack books on top of my projects. I use wax or parchment paper to protect my project too.

I'm not sure if this is helpful but I read a looong time ago that wetting the opposite side will "reverse" the curl. Of course it still has to dry but probably worth a try.

Also it really depends on the weight of the cereal box. believe or not I didn't know that either. I also suggest gesso on the front.

try 140 pound water color paper.
Try the sturdy backing of a note pad

also consider how many layers your using for your tag
You can also try using a heat tool to help with some of the warping before book pressing

Thanks everybody - I will try all of your suggestions!;)

I'd like to know what worked for you :)

Yes, that does help. I also dry the back, and that helps too.