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
- 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 8 sheets of glow in the dark scratch paper cards（29*21cm), 1 scratch pen, 1 red scraper, 1 black brush, 4 plastic scratch pen, 1 wooden stylus
- 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.
- 【PACKAGE INCLUDING】: 4 x Sheets Scratch Cards, 1 x Scratch Pen, 1x Clean Brush, 1 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.
- 【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】: 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.
- [PACKAGE INCLUDING]: 2 x Scratch Pen, 1x Clean Brush, 3 x Wood Stylus Stick, 12 x Sheets Scratch Cards (Tower Bridge / Leaning Tower of Pisa / St.Paul's Cathedral / Statue of Liberty / Statue of LibertyColosseum / Pyramid / Castle / Oriental Pearl Tower / Tokyo Tower / Empire State Building / Eiffel tower / Las Vegas)
- [ 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 girls 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.
- 【PACKAGE INCLUDING】: 2 x Scratch Drawing Board, 2 x Blank Board for Free Drawing, 1 x Scratch Pen, 1 x Clean Brush, 2 x Wood Stylus Stick – 16 x 11.2 inch
- 【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.
- 【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 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.
- 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
- 【PACKAGE INCLUDING】: 1 x Scratch Drawing Board, 1 x Blank Board for Free Drawing, 1 x Scratch Pen, 1 x Clean Brush, 1 x Wood Stylus Stick – 16 x 11.2 inch
- 【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.
- 【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 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.
- MAGICAL SCRATCH ART: This scratch art paper glows in the dark after being scratched to reveal colorful rainbow designs underneath, providing fun creative activities for kids.
- INSPIRED BY VAN GOGH: The pre-printed patterns are inspired by the iconic artistic style of Vincent Van Gogh and allow children to discover their inner artist through engraving designs.
- EASY SCRATCHING FUN: Kids can use the included stylus to lightly scratch off the top black layer and watch as colorful rainbow designs are revealed below, providing an engaging hands-on art experience.
- GLOWS IN THE DARK: After being charged with sunlight or other bright lighting, the revealed designs underneath will glow in the dark, adding an element of magic and discovery for curious young artists.
- TWO SHEETS PER PACK: This set contains two full sheets of scratch art paper with different pre-printed patterns on each, supplying enough material for multiple creative 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.