Why 'seal' a Scratchboard?

Scratchboards are relatively delicate and can be easily damaged. Sealing a Scratchboard will help to ensure longevity and appearance by protecting it from dirt (especially fingerprints), moisture, UV damage and minor scratches. Sealing is done using a spray-based varnish or 'fixative' (see below for my recommendations on the type of fixative to use). You should only seal your Scratchboard when you're 100% satisfied that it's complete as it's difficult to make changes to your scratching once sealed.

How should I seal my Scratchboard?

Before sealing the scratch board make absolutely certain the board is clean (use a light paintbrush to gently remove any 'scratch dust'). If there are dust particles on the board before sealing, they will be fixed to your board good when you seal it!

Choose an appropriate place - either outside or in a room/area that has plenty of ventilation. If you're doing it outside, make sure you choose a warm sunny still day. Then when it comes to sealing - follow the 'less is more' approach and follow these steps:

• Shake the can of fixative.
• Before spraying directly on the board, start spraying the fixative next to the board, then lightly pass over the board in one direction.
• Wait for a minute or two to make sure there are no issues, then turn the board around and spray in the other direction (remembering to spray off the board first).
• Wait for the fixative to dry.

What fixative should I use?

I've tried and range of different fixatives and had some bad experiences. While I chose 'tried and tested' brands, my experience was that they left a residue that made my boards look almost 'dusty' and resulted in a slight blue sheen when I photographed my finished Scratchboards. This was an extremely disappointing outcome considering the time and effort that goes into each artwork!

I now use Nuart Matt Spray and find this product to be vastly superior. It does not leave any visual residue, nor does it create any strange effects when photographed.

So, no matter what brand of fixative you decide to try, a word of caution - if you're trying a new brand, don't use it on your latest master piece that you have been working on for months. Test on an unimportant board!!

Marion, June 2025