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
- 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
- 【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
- 【THE PERFECT GIFT FOR CREATIVE MINDS】: This complete engraving art set is designed for artists of any age. Its compact size is ideal for on‑the‑go creativity—whether you're traveling or simply out for the day. With no odd odor or toxic powders, you can immerse yourself in the process and create your masterpiece at your own pace. Enjoy the mindful experience of scratch art.
- 【HOME DECOR & CREATIVE GIFT】: Once completed, you can frame the artwork to hang on your wall or display on your desk, adding an artistic touch to your space. It also makes a distinctive and personal gift for friends or loved ones.
- 【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.
- 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 50 pieces of scratchboard papers and 10 pieces of scratch paper sticks, 60 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, classmates and more, to have fun
- Save Time and Energy: the scratch craft paper is suitable for kids and adults, 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, school projects, classroom activities, family fun days, notes and cards making, sketching, drawing, tracing etc., adding more fun for you
- Luminous Effect Scratchboard ： This scratch art paper with premium quality, ensures every scratch reveals a clear and vivid image, maintaining the integrity of the artwork. Simple scratches are all that is needed to reveal, no paint is required, unlike traditional paintings that tend to stain clothes. Unique glow-in-the-dark design, you can also see the beautiful and extraordinary artwork at night!
- Portable entertainment: Lightweight and compact, these scratch boards are perfect for travel. Keep yourself or your kids entertained on long trips, rainy days, or quiet evenings at home
- Create stunning wall art: Turn your scratch art into beautiful home decor. Frame your finished pieces for unique, personalized wall hangings that showcase your artistic flair and travel memories
- Preserve travel memories creatively: Recreate favorite city scenes from your adventures. A unique way to commemorate special trips and relive cherished moments, more personal than photos
- MOVE YOUR TIP AND RELAX：Each Scratchboard has a foil sketch on it, use the scratch tools (included) to scratch off the gray sketch to reveal the beautiful colors underneath. A complete sculpting art set for artists of all ages. When you are stressed, angry or upset, try the stress release scratch art, the best way to whip boredom or release stress.
- 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
- 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
- 【PACKAGE INCLUDING】: 8 x Scratch Drawing Board, 1 x Scratch Pen, 1 x Clean Brush, 2 x Wood Stylus Stick - 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 kids or grown-up artists, keep busy with this delightful craft supply.
- 【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.
- 【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.
- 【Instant Masterpiece Kit】Create stunning metallic artworks in minutes - simply scratch the surface to reveal vibrant rainbow colors beneath the black coating, Create stunning wall art. Turn your scratch art into beautiful home decor. Frame your finished pieces for unique, personalized wall hangings that showcase your artistic flair and travel memories
- 【Complete Creative Set】Paint by Scratch adults ： 8 x Sheets Scratch Cards, 2 x Scratch Pen, 1x Clean Brush, 1 x Wood Stylus Stick, Size-11.6 x 8.3 inch(A4). Lightweight and compact, these scratch boards are perfect for travel. Keep yourself or your kids entertained on long trips, rainy days, or quiet evenings at home.
- 【Therapeutic Art Experience】Proven stress-relief activity combining tactile scratching motion with mesmerizing color revelation effect. So it's exactly what you are looking for, easy, time-wasting and stress-free，relaxing.
- 【Smart Educational Tool】Develops fine motor skills (14+) through guided pattern creation and free-form artistic exploration.The size and style are excellent for adults.The patterns are abundant with many city night scene. It can be easily carried around for people on trip.
- 【Premium Safe Materials】ASTM-certified non-toxic coating with scratch-resistant backing, packaged in reusable portfolio envelops for art preservation. A unique way to commemorate special trips and relive cherished moments, more personal than photos.
- 100 PCS BAMBOO STYLUS >> Get 100 pcs of the bamboo stylus with a smooth surface. The pieces can be used for scratch art creations. A good set for art projects, DIY and crafting.
- SMOOTH TOUGH MATERIAL >> Tough material, and will not easily break. A reliable stick for multiple purposes. The bamboo stylus is approximately 14 cm (5.5") in length and 0.5 cm (0.19") in diameter.
- MADE FOR SCRATCH BOARDS >> The classic shaped stick has a pointed end that can also be easily sharpened. It has a polished finish and effectively makes marks on scratchboards.
- FUN NO MESS ACCESSORY >> Create multiple beautiful scratch arts like bookmarks, wall displays, table displays, party favors, decorations, greeting cards and more.
- FOR DIY AND ART PROJECTS >> A perfect add-on to an arts and crafts set. Purchase it as part of a gift set for friends and family. The sticks can also be used for painting, crafting and school art projects.
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.