This is a very specialized art form that is not widely practiced by many artists. Because the term “scratchboard” can be a bit vague, it’s important to know exactly what materials are used to create scratchboard art.
There are a few different types of scratchboard art, such as black and white, color gradients, and watercolor. Each type of scratchboard art has its own set of materials and techniques.
Here are the best scratchboard art materials to help you get started.
Our Editor’s Best Scratchboard Art Materials Reviews
- MUSEUM-QUALITY SCRATCHBORD: Acid-free kaolin clay ground with India ink on warp-resistant Hardbord. Ultra-smooth, highly absorbent, scratch art surface
- PROFESSIONALS’ TOP CHOICE: Easier to scratch into for clean, crisp, details and lines. Scratch marks are repairable by reapplying India ink. Add vibrant color to your Scratchbord art with inks
- HIGH-DENSITY HARDBOARD CORE: Will not tear, bend or buckle. Ampersand’s premium, warp-resistant, FSC-Certified Hardbord will ensure your artwork is supported
- FRAME WITHOUT GLASS: Seal and display your scratchboard artwork without glass
- MADE IN THE USA: Unparalleled quality and craftsmanship has made Ampersand Art Supply the leader in painting panels for over 25 years
- for kindergarten and primary use
- Scratch pen and stick are designed for the easy scratch-off
- With fine polishing, it is safe to use
- Can help develop kidss imagination and potentiality
- Made of with fine workmanship, to scratch
- 【SCRATCH ART RAINBOW】: Scratch Art products feature bright colors and patterns hidden beneath a matte coating, Each Scratch Cards features a foil layer of sketches, Use scratch pen (included) to scratch off gray colored sketches, Revealing a beautiful colors underneath.
- 【PACKAGE INCLUDING】: 4 x Scratch (Drawing BoardCafe Terrace at Night - Sunflowers - Starry Night Over the Rhone - The Starry Night), 2 x Scratch Pen, 1 x Clean Brush - 16 x 11.2 inch
- 【PERFECT GIFT FOR KIDS' SKETCHES (AND ADULTS) 】: Complete engraving art set for any age artist. The size is excellent for kids and can be easily carried around say for a girls trip or your next trip to the grocery store. No odd flavor, No toxic powder, So kids can take their time to play and prepare for their masterpieces, Enjoy scratch art.
- 【HOME DECORATION&CREATIVE GIFTS】: You Can Mount It with A Picture Frame Hung Up on The Wall or Put on Your Desk Top increase The Artistic Atmosphere and Decorate Your House, Also You can display the stunning final art or give them as gifts to friends or family.
- 【SCRATCH ART THERAPY】 You're more likely to work well if you take a short break for mindless work everyday. This scratch off painting is exactly what you are looking for, easy, time-wasting and stress-free.
- [PACKAGE INCLUDING]: 16 x Scratch Drawing Board, 1 x Black Scratch Pen, 1 x White Pen, 1 x Clean Brush, 1 x Repair Fluid, 4 x Wood Stylus Stick - 7.9 x 5.5 inch (Envelope size)
- [SCRATCH ART RAINBOW]: Each Scratch Cards features a foil layer of sketches, Use scratch pen (included) to scratch off gray colored sketches, Revealing a beautiful colors underneath, and use a small brush to clean the scraped black powder in time.
- [SCRATCH ART THERAPY]: You're more likely to work well if you take a short break for mindless work everyday. This scratch off painting is exactly what you are looking for, easy, time-wasting and stress-free.
- [PERFECT GIFT FOR KIDS 'SKETCHES (AND ADULTS)]: Complete engraving art set for any age artist. The size is excellent for kids and can be easily carried around say for a car trip or your next trip to the grocery store.
- [HOME DECORATION & CREATIVE GIFTS]: You can make your own unique postcard or frame as an ornament. You can write down what you want to express on the back. A unique and surprise gift for the people you care. Or When you arrive in a city , send a hand-painted postcard to your friends, which is a special memory for you and your friends.
- PACKAGE INCLUDING: 8 x GLOWS IN THE DARK Scratch Drawing Board(Butterfly/Dolphin), 3 x Scratch Pen, 1 x Clean Brush - A4 size. Great for developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and artistic expression, making it an ideal learning tool for home and classroom use
- Easy to Use: Comes UNIQUE ART EXPERIENCE: After being charged with Flashlight or other bright light sources, the scratch art paper glows in the dark. To reveal the hidden colorful luminous designs, simply use the included stylus to lightly scratch off the printed lines. This process adds an element of magic and discovery, captivating curious young minds. Introduce your kids to a world of creativity and magic with our glow-in-the-dark scratch art paper. This unique art medium offers an exciting twist on traditional scratch art, providing hours of fun and engaging activities for young artistsa wooden stylus and cleaning brush for convenient scratching and erasing.
- LEISURE TIME EDUCATION: Makes an excellent arts and crafts activity for teens or grown-up artists, keep busy with this delightful craft supply. Complete engraving art set for any age artist. The size is excellent for kids and can be easily carried around say for a girls trip or your next trip to the grocery store. No odd flavor, No toxic powder, So kids can take their time to play and prepare for their masterpieces, Enjoy scratch art
- HOME DECORATION&CREATIVE GIFTS: You Can Mount It with A Picture Frame Hung Up on The Wall or Put on Your Desk Top increase The Artistic Atmosphere and Decorate Your House, Also You can display the stunning final art or give them as gifts to friends or family
- SCRATCH ART THERAPY: You're more likely to work well if you take a short break for mindless work everyday. This scratch off painting is exactly what you are looking for, easy, time-wasting and stress-free. Ideal for rainy days, birthday parties, or any time kids need a creative outlet
- 5 PIECE SET: Includes 1 each Line Tool, Scratch Knife (2 Nibs), Wire Brush, Fibre Brush, Piece of Steel Wool and Sample Piece of Claybord
- CREATE UNIQUE DETAILS: Use these tools to scratch away the surface coating exposing the white clay underneath
- PERFECT FOR DIY ART DESIGN: This complete kit is ideal for artists and hobbyists of all ages
- EASY TO USE: Create a variety of linework and textures using hatching, cross-hatching, and stippling on Claybord or Scratchbord
- ADD DEPTH & TEXTURE TO YOUR ART: Tools are available individually or in a 5-piece set
- 【PACKAGE INCLUDING】: 8 x Scratch Drawing Board, 1 x Scratch Pen, 1 x Red Scraper, 1 x Clean Brush, 1 x Repair Fluid, 2 x Wood Stylus Stick, 1 x Tool Bag. - 11.6 x 8.3 inch(A4)
- 【LEISURE TIME EDUCATION】 Amazing creative artwork, signs, and more! Makes an excellent arts and crafts activity for teens or grown-up artists, keep busy with this delightful craft supply.
- 【SCRATCH ART RAINBOW】: Scratch Art products feature bright colors and patterns hidden beneath a matte coating, Each Scratch Cards features a foil layer of sketches, Use scratch pen (included) to scratch off gray colored sketches, Revealing a beautiful colors underneath.
- 【PERFECT GIFT FOR TEENS SKETCHES (AND ADULTS) 】: Complete engraving art set for any age artist. The size is excellent for teens and can be easily carried around say for a girls trip or your next trip to the grocery store.
- 【HOME DECORATION&CREATIVE GIFTS】: You Can Mount It with A Picture Frame Hung Up on The Wall or Put on Your Desk Top increase The Artistic Atmosphere and Decorate Your House, Also You can display the stunning final art or give them as gifts to friends or family.
- 【PACKAGE INCLUDING】: 8 x Scratch Drawing Board, 1 x Scratch Pen, 1 x Red Scraper, 1 x Clean Brush, 1 x Repair Fluid, 2 x Wood Stylus Stick, 1 x Tool Bag. - 11.6 x 8.3 inch(A4)
- 【SCRATCH ART RAINBOW】: Scratch Art products feature bright colors and patterns hidden beneath a matte coating, Each Scratch Cards features a foil layer of sketches, Use scratch pen (included) to scratch off gray colored sketches, Revealing a beautiful colors underneath.
- 【LEISURE TIME EDUCATION】 Amazing creative artwork, signs, and more! Makes an excellent arts and crafts activity for teens or grown-up artists, keep busy with this delightful craft supply.
- 【PERFECT GIFT FOR TEENS SKETCHES (AND ADULTS) 】: Complete engraving art set for any age artist. The size is excellent for teens and can be easily carried around say for a girls trip or your next trip to the grocery store.
- 【HOME DECORATION&CREATIVE GIFTS】: You Can Mount It with A Picture Frame Hung Up on The Wall or Put on Your Desk Top increase The Artistic Atmosphere and Decorate Your House, Also You can display the stunning final art or give them as gifts to friends or family.
- DIY Personalized Crafts: when the black coating on the surface of the scratch board paper is scraped off, the white paper underneath comes out; You can give full play to your imagination and creativity, to scrape out beautiful patterns on it, experiencing an interesting craft activity
- Let You Have Fun: the package contains 100 pieces of scratchboard papers and 20 pieces of scratch paper sticks, 120 pieces in total, enough quantity and a nice combination to meet your daily play and DIY needs; Also, you can share them with your friends, family members and more, to have fun
- Save Time and Energy: the scratch craft paper is suitable for most people, easy to use; Just use the scratch paper wooden stick to scratch off the black coating, and create the pattern you want, simple and convenient, without taking too much time and energy
- Proper Sizes to Use: the black scratch paper measures approx. 7.2 x 5 inches/ 18.5 x 12.5 cm, and the paper scratch stylus measures approx. 5.51 inches/ 14 cm long, lightweight and portable for fitting well in a backpack, which will not add a burden to you, allowing you to take them out and create in spare time
- Applicable Occasions: these scratching paper with tools are suitable for DIY craft projects, art classes, activities, family fun days, notes and cards making, sketching, drawing, tracing etc., adding more fun for you
- Material: the scratch paper art sets are made of thick paper cardboard, the wood stylus are made of wood, which are non-toxic and harmless for kids and adults.
- Super Value Set: The package includes 24pcs scratch bookmarks（16*7cm), 2 scratch pen, 3 wooden styluses
- Wipe Application: this DIY arts and craft kits is suitable for birthday party, dinosaur party, Christmas party, family and classroom activities, DIY project for stimulating children's creativity and imagination.
- Ideal Gift: perfect for DIY gifts for kids, great present for birthday, Children’s day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, etc.
- Warm Tips: recommended for kids of 3 years and up, suitable for parent-child games, helping to enhance the interaction between children and parents.
Best Scratchboard Art Materials Buying Guide
Before choosing the best scratch board art materials you should consider following options:
1. Ink: The ink you use will depend on what you want to do with your scratchboard. Ink can be water-based or oil-based.
If you want to create an image that can be photographed or scanned and then colored in with computer software, then you should use water-based ink.
If you want to create an image that is purely black and white, then you should use oil-based ink. You can also use a combination of ink types.
2. Inkpad: You will need an inkpad to hold your ink. Inkpads come in a range of sizes and materials. Some have a ridged bottom, which helps the ink from soaking into the board.
If you are using water-based ink, it is probably best to have a smooth bottom for the inkpad so that the ink doesn’t soak in too much.
If you are using oil-based ink, you should have a ridged bottom so that the ink doesn’t spread too far.
3. Inkbrush: You will need an inkbrush to apply ink to the board. There are different types of inkbrushes available.
You can choose a brush that has synthetic bristles, which is good for applying water-based ink, or you can choose a brush that has hog bristle, which is good for applying oil-based ink.
4. Ink Eraser: An ink eraser is needed to remove ink from your board. An eraser that is too hard will damage your board, and an eraser that is too soft will not remove the ink.
It is best to test the eraser before you buy it to make sure it is the right type for you.
5. Masking Tape: Masking tape is used to mask off areas of the board before you ink it. You can also use it to lift the ink off the board once it is dry.
6. Fixative: Fixative is used to seal the ink into the board. You can use fixative as you ink your board, or you can use it after the board is dry.
Fixative can be water-based or oil-based.
What else you should know about scratchboard art materials
1. What is a scratchboard?
A scratchboard is a board coated with a layer of wax or clay that can be scratched to create a design.
2. What are the different types of scratchboards?
There are several different types of scratchboards, but the most common are the black and white scratchboard, the colored scratchboard, and the metal scratchboard.
3. What are the best scratchboard art materials?
The best scratchboard art materials are the ones that suit your needs and preferences. Some people prefer to use traditional scratchboards made from wood, while others prefer to use modern materials such as plastic or metal. There is no right or wrong answer, so it really depends on what you want to achieve with your artwork.
4. How do I use a scratchboard?
To use a scratchboard, you will need a sharp object like a pen or a pencil. You will also need some sort of abrasive material like sandpaper.
First, you will want to sketch out your design on the scratchboard. Once you have your sketch, you will want to start scratching away at the board with your sharp object. Be sure to use light pressure at first so you don’t damage the board. As you scratch away, the abrasive material will start to remove the top layer of the board, revealing the layer beneath. You can continue to scratch away until you have the desired effect.
5. What are some scratchboard techniques?
Some scratchboard techniques are hatching, stippling, cross hatching, and scumbling.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best scratchboard art materials. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best scratchboard art materials will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.