Silver latex (or rub-removable) inks have been specially designed as opaque inks which can be applied over printed tickets or promotional cards and are readily removable using a coin or fingernail to display a pre-printed message underneath.

Rub-removable inks are normally printed over offset prints, which must be fully dried. The substrate must also be fully opaque to prevent ‘show through’ from the reverse. Silver latex or scratch-off inks are available in silver and gold.

Absorbent substrates are unsuitable as the removability of the ink may be impaired.

To aid removability, prints should ideally be sealed with a coat of oil-based lottery-release varnish. (This must also be allowed time to fully dry prior to applying the rub-removable ink.)