Best Clayboard of 2026

Ann Hale Avatar
Ann Hale
Last Updated: Jan 8, 2026

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Clayboard is a unique surface for artists and crafters to work on. It is made from a thin layer of clay that is adhered to a rigid board. The surface is smooth and allows for fine details to be created with ease. Clayboard is perfect for a variety of mediums, including pen and ink, acrylics, and watercolors. It is also great for scratch art and can be used with a variety of tools to create intricate designs. The surface is durable and can withstand multiple layers of paint and other materials. Clayboard is a versatile and exciting surface for artists and crafters to explore.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Ampersand Art Supply Wood Painting Panel: Museum Series Claybord Cover #TOP 1
Ampersand Art Supply Wood Painting Panel: Museum Series Claybord
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Ampersand Museum Series Claybord: Wood Painting Panel Cover #TOP 2
Ampersand Museum Series Claybord: Wood Painting Panel
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Ampersand Art Supply Museum Series Claybord Panel Cover #TOP 3
Ampersand Art Supply Museum Series Claybord Panel
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Clayboard

#TOP 1

Ampersand Art Supply Wood Painting Panel: Museum Series Claybord

CBS05
1/8" Flat Profile
5" x 7" - Pack of 3
Ampersand Art Supply Wood Painting Panel: Museum Series Claybord Cover
Ampersand Art Supply Wood Painting Panel: Museum Series Claybord, 5" x 7" - Pack of 3, 1/8" Flat Profile

The Ampersand Art Supply Wood Painting Panel: Museum Series Claybord is a set of 3 museum-quality clayboards that are acid-free and warp-resistant. Measuring 5x7 inches with a 1/8 inch depth, the ultra-smooth multimedia art surface is perfect for ink, gouache, egg tempera, acrylic, airbrush, graphite, printmaking techniques, mounting and more. The unique clay ground allows artists to etch into the surface to add contrast, texture, and details, while the high-density hardboard core ensures artwork is supported to prevent damage from warping, bowing or movement. This product is made in the USA and has unparalleled quality and craftsmanship which has made Ampersand Art Supply the leader in painting panels for over 25 years.

What We Like
Museum-quality clayboard
Ultra-smooth multimedia art surface
High-density hardboard core for support
#TOP 2

Ampersand Museum Series Claybord: Wood Painting Panel

CBS08
1/8" Flat Profile
8" x 10"
Ampersand Museum Series Claybord: Wood Painting Panel Cover
Ampersand Art Supply Wood Painting Panel: Museum Series Claybord, 8" x 10", 1/8" Flat Profile

The Ampersand Museum Series Claybord is a museum-quality wood painting panel that provides a highly-absorbent, ultra-smooth multimedia art surface. Its unique clay ground allows artists to add contrast, texture, and details to their work, making it perfect for a wide range of techniques including ink, gouache, egg tempera, acrylic, airbrush, graphite, printmaking techniques, and mounting. The panel is also made with a high-density hardboard core that prevents warping, bowing, or movement. Crafted in the USA, it offers unparalleled quality and craftsmanship that has made Ampersand Art Supply the leader in painting panels for over 25 years.

What We Like
Museum-quality kaolin clay on warp-resistant Hardbord
Highly-absorbent, ultra-smooth multimedia art surface
Unique clay ground allows artists to add contrast, texture, and details
#TOP 3

Ampersand Art Supply Museum Series Claybord Panel

CBS11
1/8" Flat Profile
11" x 14"
Ampersand Art Supply Museum Series Claybord Panel Cover
Ampersand Art Supply Wood Painting Panel: Museum Series Claybord, 11" x 14", 1/8" Flat Profile

The Ampersand Museum Series Claybord offers a smooth, highly absorbent surface made from acid-free kaolin clay on a sturdy, warp-resistant board. This means your artwork will have a reliable base that won’t bend or warp over time. The panel supports a wide range of art styles, including ink, acrylic, gouache, and even printmaking, giving you great flexibility to experiment. Its unique clay surface lets you add texture and fine details by etching or lightly sanding, so you can enhance your work with contrast and depth. Plus, the high-density hardboard core protects your art, keeping it stable and secure.

What We Like
Acid-free clay surface
Warp-resistant hardboard core
Supports many art techniques
Allows etching and texture
#TOP 4

Ampersand Aquabord Watercolor Panel

CBT066
6" x 6" - Pack of 4
Ampersand Aquabord Watercolor Panel Cover
Ampersand Art Supply Watercolor Painting Panel: Museum Series Aquabord, 1/8 Inch Flat Profile, 6" x 6" - Pack of 4

The Ampersand Aquabord Panel offers artists a top-tier surface for watercolor painting. Its museum-quality design features an acid-free clay and mineral ground, providing a highly absorbent texture that enhances color vibrancy. You will find that it allows for easy color lifting, which helps achieve stunning glazes and effects. The high-density Hardbord core prevents tearing or buckling, even with heavy water use, eliminating the need for stretching. Plus, you can frame your artwork without glass, making it easy to display your masterpiece. This panel is designed for artists who want exceptional quality in their work.

What We Like
Museum-quality watercolor surface
Warp-resistant Hardbord core
Easy color lifting
Frame without glass

Falling in Art Birch Wood Panels Kit

CT0119
Brown
9'' x 12'' Studio
Falling in Art Birch Wood Panels Kit Cover
Falling in Art Unfinished Birch Wood Canvas Panels Kit, 4 Pack of 9x12’’ Studio 3/4’’ Deep Cradle Boards for Pouring Art, Crafts, Painting and More

Falling in Art Wood Panels are ideal for various art projects. The 1/8'' thick birch board is strongly joined to the 5/8'' depth cradle, eliminating the need for staples or nails. This creates a smooth and flat surface that will not stretch or bend like traditional canvas. These panels are perfect for painting, dry mounting prints, pouring, collage, photo transfer, craft, wood burning, and other mixed media. The structured and smooth unfinished cradle boards make them suitable for everyone, especially beginners. The natural grain visible on each panel makes them beautifully unique.

What We Like
Smooth and flat surface
No staples or nails needed
Perfect for various art projects
#TOP 6

Ampersand Scratchbord Art Panel

CBB055
Black
5X5 Pack of 3
Ampersand Scratchbord Art Panel Cover
Ampersand Art Supply Scratchbord Art Panel: Museum Series Scratchboard, 1/8 Inch Flat Profile, 5" x 5" - Pack of 3

The Ampersand Scratchbord Panel offers a high-quality surface for your artistic creations. Made from acid-free kaolin clay and India ink, this scratchboard provides a smooth and absorbent area for you to work on. You'll find it easier to create clean, detailed lines, and you can fix any scratch marks by simply reapplying India ink. With a sturdy, warp-resistant Hardbord core, your artwork remains well-supported without bending or buckling. Plus, you can display your finished pieces without the need for glass, making it convenient to showcase your talent.

What We Like
High-quality scratch surface
Easy to repair scratch marks
Durable, warp-resistant core
Frame without glass
#TOP 7

Falling in Art Unfinished Birch Wood Canvas Panels Kit 8x8’’ 4 Pack

Brown
8'' x 8''
Falling in Art Unfinished Birch Wood Canvas Panels Kit 8x8’’ 4 Pack Cover
Falling in Art Unfinished Birch Wood Canvas Panels Kit, 4 Pack of 8x8’’ Studio 3/4’’ Deep Cradle Boards for Pouring Art, Crafts, Painting and More

The Falling in Art Birch Panels offer a sturdy and smooth surface for your creative projects. The 1/8'' thick birch top is firmly attached to a 5/8'' deep cradle, so you won’t have to worry about staples or nails ruining your work area. This solid construction means the panel won’t easily bend or flex like regular canvas, giving you a reliable base for painting or crafting. The hard, sanded wood is perfect for various techniques such as pouring, collage, or photo transfers. These panels are beginner-friendly, providing a stable and easy-to-use surface for all your artistic needs.

What We Like
Strong adhesive bond
Sturdy, non-flexible surface
Versatile for multiple art types
Beginner-friendly design
#TOP 8

Treela Portable Clay Wedging Board

Treela-Clay Wedging Board-29
Brown
18 x 24 inches
Treela Portable Clay Wedging Board Cover
Treela Portable Clay Wedging Board with Built in Handle Ceramic and Clay Supplies 18 x 24 Inch Wood Clayboard with 3 Pcs Clay Ribs and Clay Cutters Wire with Black Handles for Art Crafts Modeling

The Treela Clay Wedging Board is a versatile tool for your ceramic projects. It comes complete with a clay bat, three clay ribs, and a ceramic wire cutter, providing everything you need for effective clay modeling. This multi-purpose board is great for use in various settings, whether at home, in a classroom, or outdoors. The clay ribs help you smooth and shape your creations, while the wire cutter allows for precise and safe cutting. Made from durable wood, this board is built to last, ensuring it can handle your crafting needs for years to come.

What We Like
Complete clay crafting set
Durable wood construction
Multi-purpose for various uses
Easy smoothing and cutting

Ampersand Art Supply Wood Gesso Artist Painting Panel

APS1114
1/8" Flat Profile
11" x 14"
Ampersand Art Supply Wood Gesso Artist Painting Panel Cover
Ampersand Art Supply Wood Gesso Artist Painting Panel: Primed Smooth, 11" x 14", 1/8" Flat Profile

Ampersand Gesso Panel is an ultra-smooth, ready-to-paint art wood panel that is perfect for various art mediums. This panel is primed and coated with acid-free acrylic gesso on the top and sides, ensuring a smooth surface for your artwork. The high density fiber core provides strength and prevents warping, making it durable for long-lasting use. Whether you're painting with oil or acrylic, using ink or graphite, creating collages, mounting artwork, or even pouring paint, this panel is ideal. Its fully primed sides allow your artwork to carry over, and the stable surface can handle heavy paint applications. With over 25 years of unparalleled quality and craftsmanship, Ampersand Art Supply has established itself as a leader in painting panels.

What We Like
Primed smooth surface
High density fiber core
Ideal for multiple art mediums
#TOP 10

Ampersand Museum Series Aquabord 8x10

CBT08
8" x 10"
Ampersand Museum Series Aquabord 8x10 Cover
Ampersand Art Supply Watercolor Painting Panel: Museum Series Aquabord, 1/8 Inch Flat Profile, 8" x 10"

The Ampersand Aquabord Panel offers a high-quality surface designed for watercolor artists who want vibrant, true colors and smooth blending. Its special clay and mineral coating creates a texture similar to cold-pressed paper that absorbs paint beautifully, letting you layer glazes and lift colors easily. The sturdy, warp-resistant hardboard core means your panel won’t tear, shrink, or buckle, even when you use lots of water. Plus, you can frame your finished piece without needing glass, making display simpler and more elegant. This panel is a reliable choice for artists seeking durability and excellent paint performance.

What We Like
Museum-quality surface
Warp-resistant hardboard core
Excellent color lifting and glazing
Frame without glass
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Clayboard used for?

Clayboard is a type of hardboard with a clay and glue covering that is often used by artists who paint with acrylic and watercolor. It is a sturdy panel that allows artists to combine translucent and opaque painting techniques with etching.

2. What is Clayboard made of?

Clayboard is made using a true artists hardboard which is coated with an ultra smooth abosrbent kaolin clay ground. The finish is similar to the clay gesso grounds used during the Renaissance. The unique surface ensures your colours remain true and brilliant.

3. Can you use watercolor on Clayboard?

Claybord accepts dry, water-based, and oil-based pigments including: Acrylics. Watercolor (similar to hot press paper)

Editor's Notes

During our clayboard research, we found 24 clayboard products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 35,836 customer reviews through our big data system to write the clayboard list. We found that most customers choose clayboard with an average price of $14.21.

The clayboard are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of clayboard, including Ampersand Art Supply, Falling in Art, Treela. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Ann Hale Avatar

Ann Hale is a seamstress, pattern maker, and fashion designer with extensive sewing experience. She has worked in the fashion industry for over 10 years now after receiving Associates's Degree in fashion design in 2010. Also as a writer, she has many creative and unique insights when it comes to articles.