A scratch to unveil ad is an interactive banner ad in the 300x600 and 300x250 sizes that works like a digital scratch card. Viewers rub off a virtual layer to uncover what’s hidden underneath, such as an exclusive offer, a discount code, a prize or a surprise message, and then click through to redeem it.
How does a scratch to unveil ad work?
The banner shows a scratch layer on top of your hidden content. As viewers rub across it, the layer disappears and the offer underneath comes into view. Once it’s revealed, a call-to-action button takes them to the page where they can redeem it. The scratch-card gesture is familiar to everyone, so the interaction needs no explanation.
When should you use a scratch to unveil ad?
Use it when there’s a reward to win: a limited-time discount or launch offer in retail, a room upgrade or a hidden travel deal, a new shade or look in beauty, or a free menu item in food and beverage. Rewards like these turn a display slot into a small game and give viewers a reason to visit again.
Where can scratch to unveil ads run?
Scratch to unveil ads are HTML5 banner ads in two standard IAB display sizes: 300x600 (half page) and 300x250 (medium rectangle). They run in regular display placements, and Clipflip delivers them as an ad tag that you traffic through your ad server or DSP like any other HTML5 banner.
Which industries get the most out of Scratch To Unveil Ads?
- Retail & E-commerce
- Product Launch
- Discounts/Offers
How do brands use Scratch To Unveil Ads?
Retail & E-Commerce: Scratch to uncover limited-time discounts, new launches, or special offers. Creates urgency and drives immediate purchases through the reward of discovery.
Travel & Hospitality: Reveal exclusive travel deals, room upgrades, or hidden experiences beneath the scratch layer. The element of surprise converts curiosity into bookings.
Beauty & Fashion: Discover new makeup shades, skincare products, or complete looks through scratching. Direct shopping from revealed content increases impulse purchases.
Food & Beverage: Win instant prizes like free menu items or meal discounts. Gamified rewards drive repeat visits and build customer loyalty.
Scratch To Unveil Ads specifications
| Placement | 300x600, 300x250 |
|---|---|
| Delivery | VAST 3.0 & 4.2 tag, iframe for outstream |
| Ad servers | Adform, Google DV360, Xandr and other VAST-compatible servers |
| Headline | 30 chars max |
| Subline | 60 chars max |
| Call to action | 20 chars max |
| Picture | optional |
| Video file type | .mp4, .mov |
| Video dimensions | 16:9, 1:1, 9:16, 4:3 |
| Video length | 10s - 45s |
| Graphic file type | .jpg, .png, .svg, .gif |
| Graphic file size | Max 300KB per asset |
| Interaction | Scratch off a virtual layer to reveal the content |
| After the reveal | Click-through to redeem the offer |
Sources and standards
See more examples in Gallery
Scratch To Unveil Ads: Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. On touch screens viewers scratch with their finger, and on desktop they scratch with the mouse cursor.
Discounts, codes, prizes, travel deals, a new product or a surprise message. Rewards work best, because the scratch-card gesture makes people expect to win something.
The scratch layer visual and the content revealed underneath, a headline of up to 30 characters, a subline of up to 60 characters, a call to action of up to 20 characters and the landing page URL. Graphics can be .jpg, .png, .svg or .gif up to 300KB each.
Yes. Our team builds the interactive layer from your brief and assets, and you keep everything we create. Your first campaign runs free for up to 300,000 impressions with no CPM charged, so you can test the format against a standard banner.
