Scratch & Sniff

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All 'scratch and sniff' products – notably perfume sample in magazines – use aromas carried in millions of micron-size spheres that release their contents if burst. The microcapsules are mixed with a suitable carrier ink and coated onto paper or card. Rubbing or scratching the dried ink ruptures some of the capsules to release aroma. The raw water-soluble pigments can be mixed with acrylic media (or other aqueous-based paints such as water colours) and painted or printed onto a suitable surface.

Alternatively, ready-made 'scratch and sniff' paints are available in syringes for immediate use. Simply paint a surface and let it dry; the aroma will be released each time the surface is rubbed – e.g., up to 50 times depending on how much pressure is applied.With the availability of aroma pigments, a whole new dimension of creative work becomes possible. In graphics, for example, pupils and students can make their own working versions of commercial advertising products and aromatherapy samplers or where paper be comes capable of exuding authentic aromas and printed materials are able to carry factory messages as well as visual ones.

Scratch & Sniff