POLYMER CLAYS

These clays do not shrink after baking and do not dry out in the open air. They are available in various colors and finishes and can be sanded, polished, sculpted, and painted with any type of paint. They are ideal for beginners.

They are made of PVC, a coloring pigment, and a plasticizing oil that gives them flexibility. These clays can be handled as many times as you want without hardening.

The difference with regular clay is that we can harden it at home with a low-temperature domestic oven, or even with a hairdryer, or by exposing it to prolonged sunlight in the summer.

The two most well-known types of bakeable clay for modeling are as follows:

Sculpey

This name also comes from a very well-known brand in the United States. Different types can be found, such as:

Original is a soft, smooth, flexible, and pliable clay that can be easily manipulated. Once baked, it can be sanded, drilled, sculpted, and painted. While it can be used alone, it is better to mix it with the Super Sculpey version.

Super Sculpey Beige is the softest of the 3 Super Sculpey clays. Super Sculpey Blend is grey and has a hardness between beige and Super Sculpey Firm. Super Sculpey Firm is not recommended because it tends to become very hard. If you are looking for a hard Super Sculpey, the Blend option is preferable as it is often close to the Sculpey Firm, while having the same grey color.

Sculpey Premo dry does not require baking to harden. It air dries.

Fimo Clays

Actually, this is not a type of clay, but a brand that has become so well-known and famous that its name is now used to refer to polymer clay. They are available in packaging ranging from 56 to 454 grams. A liquid version is also available. Here are the different clays:

Fimo Air is a clay that does not require baking and hardens in the open air. It is made from natural substances and cellulose fibers. After 24 hours, it dries completely, but the pieces obtained are fragile.

Fimo Leather is very flexible with a particular, somewhat grainy texture, but with textile fibers that give it elasticity. It creates a very realistic leather effect.

Fimo Effect is flexible and very soft and allows you to create material effects such as beads, shiny, pearlescent, and metallic finishes, among others.

Fimo Soft is a range for beginners, as it is very easy to mold and pleasant to work with, odorless, and very affordable.

Fimo Professional, as its name suggests, is intended for professionals or advanced enthusiasts, as it is more difficult to handle but provides a hardness that prevents creations from breaking once they are baked in the oven.

What is the best brand of polymer clay?

It depends on what you want to use it for and what you're looking for at any given moment. For working with texture rollers, we recommend the Super Sculpey beige clay. Fimo offers a wide range of Fimo Soft with intense colors.

How does polymer clay harden?

Each polymer clay has a specific curing time indicated on the product packaging. However, there is a general rule for baking all types of polymer clay: just place it in the oven at 130º for 15 minutes.

You can place the clay on a domestic aluminum foil sheet, or even on MDF wooden supports that will not burn.

If you exceed the drying time, the surface of the clay may burn, change color, and become more fragile.

How to glue uncured polymer clay?

Uncured polymer clay can be glued to another already-cured clay using specific glues offered by each brand, such as Sculpey Bake and Bond, or simply by placing a little modeling petroleum jelly between the two pieces you want to join.

It is not recommended to use instant glues based on cyanoacrylate if the piece is to be baked again, as it will likely burn, creating an ugly black spot and may even cause a rash or skin irritation.

Can I mix polymer clays from different manufacturers?

Yes, all polymer clays have a compatible PVC base that allows them to be mixed together, sharing base properties depending on the amounts of each type.

What is the best paint for painting polymer clay?

Polymer clay can be colored beforehand by adding a few drops of acrylic inks or even earth pigments during the kneading and conditioning process.

Once the clay is baked and hardened, the best type of paint for low toxicity and ease of use would be acrylic paints, acrylic inks, and Dipping Inks from Green Stuff World.

Can you let polymer clay dry in the open air?

No, polymer clay will never dry in the open air because it is designed to be baked and hardened in a domestic oven. This is why polymer clay is ideal for beginners who don’t have to worry about the material deteriorating.

However, it is better to store the clay in a bag or box provided by the manufacturer to reduce the evaporation of its oils, and as much as possible in a cool and dry environment. The warmer the storage environment, the harder the material becomes. Heat is not good for this type of clay.

What do I need to get started with polymer clay?

In addition to the clay, you can use any tool that allows you to create texture and shapes with some precision, such as a toothpick. However, there are specific tools for working with polymer clay that will enhance your experience.

You will likely need a silicone mat, a smooth or textured roller, silicone molds, metal tools with many different tips, silicone-tipped brushes, and most importantly, a clay conditioning machine. These machines are clay cutters and really reduce kneading time significantly. Clays do not dry out over time, but they harden if they are not used regularly, so they become increasingly difficult to condition for work. A popular tip is to add a little petroleum jelly to the clay to recover some of the oil that may have been lost over time.

You can find these polymer clays in our section TOOLS: Mastics and Clays