Ampersand : Cradled Claybord Panels

Ampersand Claybord is made from 3mm FSC-certified Hardbord coated with Ampersand's kaolin clay ground. Sanded to an ultra-smooth, highly absorbent finish, the surface allows colours to remain bright while providing excellent versatility for applying, removing, and reworking paint and ink. Its clay coating is approximately 7 to 10 dry-mils thick, allowing artists to scratch, erase, and sand into the surface.

Claybord is suitable for a wide range of painting, drawing, printmaking, and mixed media techniques. Its absorbent surface can be worked both additively and subtractively, allowing paint and ink to be layered, removed, scratched, or sanded to develop highlights, fine details, textures, and tonal variation.

Each panel features Ampersand's Archival-Seal barrier technology, designed to help prevent support-induced discolouration. Cradled Claybord panels are available in 22mm and 38mm profiles, with the cradles handmade from 13-ply birch plywood for stability and a clean finished edge. The 38mm profile is designed to fit standard canvas and floater frames, while the cradle edges can be painted, stained, or primed with gesso to complement the artwork.

Please note: Claybord is finished using an industrial sander, and very thin glazes or washes may reveal subtle circular marks from the sanding process. For an exceptionally smooth surface, lightly prepare the Claybord with very fine sandpaper or oil-free steel wool before painting.