Ampersand Art Supply Scratchbord 9×12 1/8" Flat Professional Scratchboard Panel — Hardbord Core, Smooth Kaolin Ground

Ampersand Scratchbord is a museum-quality 9×12, 1/8" flat scratchboard panel engineered for precision subtractive drawing and hyper-realistic white-on-black illustration.

Scratchbord combines a rigid Hardbord core sealed with Archiva-Seal, a smooth kaolin clay ground, and a rich black India ink coating to create a surface made specifically for scratchboard techniques. Unlike thin paper or generic black boards, this panel resists warping, tolerates repeated rescratching, and supports fine, engraving-style mark-making with blades, needles, and brushes. It’s handcrafted in the USA from FSC-certified materials and sized at 9×12 inches with a 1/8" depth for easy framing and gallery presentation.

How does Scratchbord improve control and detail compared with paper scratchboards?

Because it’s built on a stiff Hardbord core and finished with a finely leveled clay-and-ink layer, Scratchbord produces cleaner, steadier lines and allows repeated corrections without tearing. The solid substrate keeps edges crisp and prevents buckling when you work with sharp tools or apply localized pressure.

• Rigid, warp-resistant Hardbord core for consistent surface tension
• Ultra-smooth kaolin clay ground for predictable, clean subtraction
• Rich black India ink topcoat that reveals bright white clay beneath
• Durable surface accepts repeated scratching and fine rescratching

Which tools and techniques are best suited to this panel?

Scratchbord is compatible with a wide range of subtractive implements and mixed-media approaches. Use scratch knives, scalpels, tattoo needles, wire or fibre brushes, and oil-free steel wool to achieve varied textures; inks, airbrush, and collage can be added for mixed-media effects.

• Sharp blades and needles for ultra-fine lines and fur or hair work
• Wire/fibre brushes for consistent tonal textures and stippling
• Transparent Scratchbord/Claybord inks for vivid colour overlays (sold separately)
• Black Repair Ink or India ink to fix or deepen dark areas

Can finished pieces be framed and displayed without glass?

Yes—after sealing with a clear spray varnish, completed Scratchbord artwork can be framed without glass to show surface relief and etched detail without glare. Ampersand floater and duoframes provide a gallery-style presentation that protects and highlights every incision.

• Seal with spray varnish before framing to protect exposed clay
• Frame without glass to reveal texture and depth of scratches
• Ampersand floater/duoframes offer clean, professional display options
• Archival materials and pH-neutral construction ensure longevity

What maintenance and repair options exist if I make a mistake?

Scratchbord allows controlled corrections: unwanted marks can be darkened with black India ink or Ampersand Black Repair Ink, while highlights can be re-scratched for contrast. The clay-and-ink coating tolerates adjustments, so artists can refine details without replacing the panel.

• Repair dark areas with India ink or Ampersand Black Repair Ink
• Re-scratch highlights or texture; surface accepts repeated work
• Use oil-free steel wool for subtle tonal smoothing when needed
• Seal finished work with spray varnish to preserve delicate marks

Who is this for: Ampersand Scratchbord 9×12 (1/8") is designed for professional illustrators, wildlife and realism artists, and advanced students who need an archival, non-warping black drawing surface for detailed subtractive work. It’s also ideal for artists transitioning from paper scratchboards who want a more durable, gallery-ready panel that supports mixed media, correction, and repeated mark-making.

• Premium quality scratchboard for creating white on black scratches
• Claybord that is evenly coated with India ink
• Frame without glass once sealed
• pH neutral and acid free
• 9 x 12 inches - 1/8 inch depth