How to Use Pokorny Paint on Cardboard Terrain
By Dwarven Forge - Miniature Terrain for the gaming community | Published: 2026-10-20
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to apply Pokorny Paint on cardboard terrain without warping or losing detail. Step-by-step guide with tips for miniature terrain painting.
Quick answer
Yes, you can use Pokorny Paint on cardboard terrain, but you need to seal the cardboard first and apply thin coats to prevent warping.
Why cardboard needs special treatment
Cardboard is porous and absorbs moisture unevenly. Water-based acrylics like Pokorny Paint can cause the fibers to swell and the surface to warp if applied directly. A thin seal coat prevents this and gives you a smooth painting surface.
Unlike Dwarvenite, cardboard does not need primer — but it does need a barrier. A quick layer of matte medium or thinned PVA glue works well. This keeps the paint on top of the cardboard instead of soaking in.
Pokorny Paint works on cardboard without thinning
Pokorny Paint is formulated to be used straight from the bottle. Its viscosity is ideal for terrain painting — not too runny, not too thick. On sealed cardboard, it covers well in one or two coats without pooling or obscuring fine detail.
Because you don't need to thin it, you avoid adding extra water that could weaken the cardboard. This is a real advantage over many other acrylic paints that require dilution.
How to paint cardboard terrain with Pokorny Paint
- Seal the cardboard: Apply a thin coat of matte medium or 50/50 PVA glue and water to all surfaces. Let it dry completely. This prevents moisture from the paint from soaking in and warping the cardboard. Skipping this step is the most common cause of warped cardboard terrain.
- Shake the Pokorny Paint bottle: Shake the 4 oz bottle thoroughly before each use. The pigment can settle during storage. A good shake ensures consistent color and opacity.
- Apply the first thin coat: Use a flat brush to apply a thin, even coat of Pokorny Paint. Work in one direction to avoid lifting the cardboard fibers. Let it dry fully before adding more paint. Thick coats trap moisture and cause the cardboard to buckle. Thin coats are safer.
- Add a second coat if needed: Once the first coat is dry, evaluate the coverage. Most colors need two coats for an even finish. Apply the second coat the same way — thin and even. If you see the cardboard grain through the first coat, a second coat will hide it without losing texture.
- Seal the finished paint job: After the paint is fully dry, spray or brush on a clear matte sealer. This protects the paint from chipping and gives the terrain a uniform finish. Test the sealer on a scrap piece first — some aerosol sealers can react with cardboard and cause staining.
Product used in this guide
- Pokorny Paint - Cardboard: Pokorny Paint Colours are water-based acrylics formulated by Stefan Pokorny for optimal viscosity on Dwarvenite terrain. They don't need to be diluted and do not require primer on Dwarvenite. On cardboard, the same no-thin formula helps avoid excess moisture that causes warping, and the good coverage means you can work in thin layers.
Pokorny Paint - Cardboard
