The best way to scratch off a map
By the Double Rainbow Reviews Team. Updated November 11, 2026.
Use the scratch tool that came in the box, on a table, with light strokes. That covers most maps.
The rest of this page is for when there was no tool in the box, or the one you got is leaving marks.
What to scratch with
| Tool | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| The included scratcher | Everything, if the map came with one | Not every map includes one. Check the listing. |
| Coin | Gloss paper, large countries | Can scuff matte paper |
| Pencil eraser | Matte paper, clearing big areas fast | Leaves crumbs. Brush them off, don't wipe. |
| Guitar pick | Borders and coastlines | Slower on big areas |
| Toothpick | Small islands and flags | Easy to press too hard |
| Fingernail | A quick country when nothing else is nearby | Gets old fast |
The paper finish decides it. A coin, fingernail or blunt metal edge suits gloss paper, and an eraser or fingernail suits matte. BestReviews adds guitar picks and toothpicks, and says to keep knives and anything sharp away from the map because they damage the layer under the foil.1
How to do it
- Put the map on a hard, flat surface. A table is better than the wall.2
- Start in the middle of the country. Clear the inside first, where a slip doesn't matter.
- Slow down at the border. Switch to a pick or a toothpick and scratch toward the line. This is the part that decides whether the map looks neat in five years.
- Keep the pressure light. You're removing foil. If you can see the paper flexing, ease off.1
- Brush the crumbs away. A soft dry cloth or a clean paintbrush. Wiping with your palm drags grit across the foil you haven't scratched yet.
Two small things
Handle the map by its edges where you can. BestReviews notes that oil from your hands may discolor the foil on some maps.1
And if the map is going behind glass, think about how you'll get it out again. More on that in how to hang or frame a scratch off map.
Our top 5 scratch off world mapsFive maps compared on detail, foil, paper, extras and price. Sponsored by Landmass.
Sources
- BestReviews, "Best scratch maps" buying guide. bestreviews.com. Read November 11, 2026.
- Landmass, "How to scratch and care for your Landmass map". landmassgoods.com. Read November 11, 2026.