About This

• Surface for Detailed Illustration: Built for artists who demand precision, this acid-free, museum-quality panel begins with the same ultra-smooth kaolin clay surface used on Ampersand Claybord, then is coated with rich black India ink. Scratch through the surface to reveal the white clay beneath—perfect for high-contrast drawings, wildlife art, realism, hyper-detailed illustration, and subtractive scratchboard techniques with unmatched clarity.
• Warp-Resistant Hardbord Core: Crafted on Ampersand’s premium Hardbord, this rigid panel stays perfectly flat—never tearing, buckling, or wrinkling like paper scratchboards. The ultra-smooth clay surface allows tools to glide cleanly for crisp lines, textures, shading, cross-hatching, stippling, sgraffito, engraving effects, and detailed illustration.
• Repair Marks Easily: Apply transparent Scratchbord/Claybord Inks (sold separately) to the exposed white clay for rich, vivid color that stays luminous. Scratch again to refine highlights or deepen contrast. Unwanted marks or over-scratched areas can be repaired cleanly using black India ink or Ampersand Scratchbord Black Repair Ink.
• No Mounting Board Required: Unlike paper scratchboards, the 1/8" Hardbord backing provides a durable, non-flexing foundation that frames beautifully without foamcore, matboard, or other support. Perfect for professional display and conservation framing.
• Display Without Glass After Sealing: When sealed with a spray varnish, Scratchbord artwork becomes durable enough to display without glass — eliminating glare and giving the finished piece a striking, gallery-style presentation rarely possible with traditional scratchboard papers.