Watercolor paper?

[tiffanyharvey.livejournal.com]

I got some watercolors for Christmas & this is my first time playing with them.

Technically the paints are gouache, opaque watercolor. Is there a big difference between working with these & solid block watercolors?

I know you are supposed to prepare the paper before painting ~ wetting and taping it down. How do you prepare your paper? .... Also, what's the best way to straighten a painting that is warped/wrinkled. (Not that, you know, I have one. ;) Just curious.)