Everything You Need to Know About Scratch Off Maps

What is a Scratch-Off Map?

Scratch-off maps are a type of wall poster meets world map first designed in 2009 by Luckies of London. Since then, the designed has been replicated but never truly equalled, with the Original Scratch Map being the gold standard for scratch-off maps around the world.

The design is quite simple - a complete world map poster where the entirety of every continent is covered with a thin foil layer. Beneath the foil is a highly detailed and coloured world map, not unlike those found in school textbooks or maps hanging on a classroom wall.

Think of it has a world map that has a layer of foil just like a scratch-card - expect there’s no gambling involved!

What to expect from a Scratch-Off Map

The best scratch-off maps come with a highly detailed and colourful world map, setting them apart from cheap maps that lack the same detail and vibrancy. The reason the best scratch-off maps are so detailed is because they are designed by professional cartographers to ensure the upmost geographic accuracy.

Most of the detail remains hidden below the foil surface, although each country and the world’s borders are clearly displayed prior to scratching anything. Once you start scratching, a much more detailed map is revealed, including cities and capitals, oceans and islands, and various pieces world trivia.

Why buy a Scratch-Off Map?

Scratch-off maps make for an awesome home decoration, providing a highly detailed world map that you can proudly display. However, the main goal is not to reveal any countries on the map unless you have visited them!

This means every scratch-off map is completely personalised for the individual, making it fantastic gift, especially for anyone you know that loves to travel or spent much of their life travelling when they were younger.  

Nothing is quite as thrilling as coming back from an unforgettable holiday and getting to scratch off another piece of the map - it serves as great motivation for those that want to travel more by encouraging you to scratch off as many countries as possible.

Of course, you don’t need to have travelled to the country to scratch off the foil - but that’s where all the fun comes from! Whether buying as a gift for someone special or using it to plan your next vacation, a scratch-off map is well worth buying for travelling aficionados!