Create your message
Write a short message in the designated area with a permanent marker. Let the ink dry completely before covering it.
DIY scratch off resource center
DIY Scratch Off Cards Ideas & Resources
A hidden message can become a classroom reward, a customer thank you, a family surprise or the next clue in an adventure. Start with an idea, write your own reveal and make it personal.
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Start with the basics
Write it. Cover it. Reveal it.
DIY cards arrive with a space for your message. You create what goes underneath the scratch off sticker; the recipient discovers it when they scratch.
Cover the reveal
Peel the scratch off sticker from its backing and place it over the message. Smooth it down so the reveal is covered.
Scratch and discover
Give the finished card to its recipient. A coin or scratcher tool reveals the message you created.
Pack sizes and sticker shapes vary by design. Check the individual listing for what is included. Markers, coins and prizes are not included.
One simple card. So many possibilities.
What will your card reveal?
Choose the setting that fits your project. Each idea below includes ways to use the cards, sample messages and a practical planning tip.
Teachers
Teacher rewards that feel personal
Turn a reading goal, helpful moment or classroom milestone into a reward students can discover. You decide what is meaningful for your class.
- Celebrate reading minutes, homework habits or a learning goal.
- Recognize kindness, teamwork and helpful classroom behavior.
- Reveal a classroom privilege, activity choice or positive note.
Messages you could hide
- Choose our next read-aloud book.
- You are today’s classroom helper.
- Pick a brain break for the class.
Make it work: Write rewards you can honor, including no-cost options. Keep the message brief and connect it to a clear classroom goal.
Explore teacher DIY designs
Business
Business thank yous with a reason to return
Make a customer appreciation message or offer more interactive without preparing a fully custom printed promotion. Pre-designed DIY cards let you write a different reveal on each card.
- Add a personal thank you or return-visit offer to an order.
- Hand out an invitation or service upgrade at an event.
- Create a small-batch promotion while testing different messages.
Messages you could hide
- A little thank you: 10% off your next visit.
- Enjoy a complimentary upgrade with your next booking.
- Bring this card back for your customer appreciation gift.
Make it work: Decide how staff will redeem the offer. Put any deadline or conditions where the customer can see them, and use a simple code if you want to track responses.
Explore business thank you cards
Home
Little surprises for everyday family moments
You do not need a big occasion to make someone smile. A DIY card can hide a kind note, a choice or the next part of a family activity.
- Tuck an encouraging note into a lunchbox or gift.
- Let the recipient reveal a movie, meal or family activity.
- Create birthday clues, date-night choices or holiday surprises.
Messages you could hide
- You pick tonight’s movie.
- Let’s bake something together this weekend.
- Your next surprise is waiting by the bookshelf.
Make it work: Match the writing space to your message. A Mini works well for a short note or destination; choose a larger DIY card when you need more room. Supervise young children during use.
Browse all DIY card designs
Employees
Employee appreciation with a personal reveal
Use a scratch off card to recognize a contribution, thank a teammate or add an activity to a staff celebration. The hidden message can be as simple as a specific compliment.
- Celebrate a project milestone or a helpful teammate.
- Reveal a team-approved perk or staff appreciation treat.
- Hide icebreaker prompts for meetings and team gatherings.
Messages you could hide
- Thank you for helping our new teammate settle in.
- Coffee is on us today.
- Share one thing you learned this week.
Make it work: Confirm perks with the person responsible for approving them. A thoughtful, specific thank you can be more meaningful than a random prize.
Explore versatile DIY designs
Scavenger hunts
Build a scavenger hunt, one reveal at a time
Turn each DIY card into a clue. Scratch, solve and move to the next location until the final reveal leads to the surprise.
- Plan a route through your home, classroom or office.
- Number your cards on the back and keep a matching route list.
- Prepare each clue, cover it, then place it at the previous stop.
Messages you could hide
- Start: Look where we keep our favorite books.
- At the bookshelf: Your next clue is beside the kitchen sink.
- At the sink: Find the candy bowl for your final surprise.
Make it work: Test the complete route before anyone plays. Use separate card sets for teams and keep a spare clue list. Mini DIY cards are 2″ × 2″, so keep each clue short.
Explore 2″ × 2″ Mini DIY cardsBefore you write the first card
A little planning makes a better reveal
Choose the result
Decide whether the card reveals a message, a reward, an offer or a clue. Write that purpose down first.
Keep the message short
Fit the important words inside the writing area. Try one sample card before preparing the full set.
Prepare the whole set
Count the recipients and cards, allow the ink to dry, and cover every message before handing out the cards.
Make redemption simple
If the reveal is a reward or offer, decide who will honor it, how it is redeemed and when it expires.
Choose the right starting point
DIY cards, games or stickers?
The difference is how much of the reveal you want to prepare yourself.
You write the hidden message
Choose a ready-designed card, add your own message and apply the scratch off sticker. Ideal for personal notes, flexible rewards and clues.
The reveals are already prepared
Choose a game when you want preprinted winning and non-winning reveals. Check the listing for its format and quantities.
You supply the card or project
Apply a scratch off sticker over your own prepared message or printed project. Match the sticker size to the area you want to hide.
Build around your brand or event
Choose professionally printed custom cards when the card design and hidden reveals need to be produced for your project.
A few real designs to start with
Find a format that fits your idea
These are examples, not a required shopping list. Start with the writing space and occasion, then choose a design you like.
TEACHER DIY
Cartes à gratter DIY Graffiti pour récompenses d’enseignant – récompenses de classe – lot de 50
See this design
DIY — YOU WRITE IT
Carte à gratter DIY multicolore de remerciement pour entreprise – témoignage de reconnaissance client et idée cadeau – lot de 20
See this design
DIY — YOU WRITE IT
Cartes à gratter DIY « Je t’aime » pour la Saint-Valentin – Idée de mot d’amour et cadeau – lot de 25
See this design
Helpful answers
DIY scratch off card questions
From choosing a design to preparing your first reveal, here are the details that help you get started.
What are DIY scratch off cards?
They are ready-designed cards with a designated area for your own message. Write the message, let it dry, then cover it with a scratch off sticker. The recipient scratches to discover your reveal.
Do DIY cards come with the messages or prizes already printed?
You create the hidden message on a DIY card. Ready to play games are a different product category with preprinted reveals. Any prizes or rewards are supplied by you.
What should I use to write on the cards?
Use a permanent marker and let the ink dry before adding the sticker. Pencil and ballpoint pen are not recommended because they can leave indentations. Markers are not included.
Can I print the message instead of writing it?
For ready-designed physical DIY cards, follow the listing’s preparation instructions rather than assuming printer compatibility. If you want to print your own cards, explore self-print downloads or add scratch off stickers to your own compatible printed project.
Are the scratch off stickers included?
Physical DIY card listings identify the included cards and stickers. Counts, shapes and finishes vary by design. Digital downloads and sticker-only products have different inclusions, so check the individual listing.
How do I choose between Mini and larger DIY cards?
Mini DIY cards are 2″ × 2″ and suit short notes, clues and compact handouts. Choose a larger card if you want more room around the writing area. Always check the card dimensions and sticker size on the product page.
Can I put a different message on every card?
Yes. That is one of the useful features of DIY cards: you can prepare different rewards, offers or clues in the same pack. Keep a list if you need to track which reveal goes to which recipient.
Can the cards be reused after scratching?
Prepare a new card and sticker for a fresh reveal. The scratch off coating is removed during use, so the same scratched sticker is not resettable.
Can I use my own branding?
Explore Custom Branded DIY cards if you want your design printed while you write the hidden messages yourself. Choose professionally printed custom scratch off cards if you also want the hidden reveals printed for you.
Keep exploring
More guidance for your next reveal
Product education hub
Compare scratch off formats and explore the holiday resource guides.
Explore the guideCustom cards for business
Plan a professionally printed promotion around your brand, audience and goal.
Explore the guideAsk our team
Get help matching the card, sticker and quantity to your idea.
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