In one embodiment, a plate for an evaporative cooler is disclosed. The plate may comprise a wicking material with an exposed surface and a sealed surface opposite the exposed surface. An impermeable barrier may be coupled to the sealed surface. One or more masks may line a portion of the exposed surface, wherein the masks may comprise an impermeable material. In some embodiments, the mask may be a strip of impermeable material and may be coupled to a flat area of the top surface. In further embodiments, the one or more masks may align with a liquid wick path of the wicking material. In further embodiments, the one or more masks may line the edge of perforations that pass at least partially through the plate.