General Information about Polymer Clay

Polymer clay is a clay-like substance which is baked after molded. Unlike regular clay, polymer clay contains polyvinyl chloride. It comes in just about any color you can imagine and its plasticity makes it pliable and fun to work with!

Is polymer clay safe for preschoolers to use?

Only with supervision. Polymer clay is non-toxic, but because of its plasticizer, it should not be consumed. Therefore, don't let your preschooler eat it or put her fingers in her mouth while using it. You'll want to devote certain kitchen utensils to it, as the plasticizer should not come in contact with food preparation areas.

What about clean up?

Simply wipe hands and other surfaces with baby wipes to remove any clay residue.

What temperature do I bake with?

Low temperatures are best (around 260ºF). See manufacturer's instructions for details.

How long do I bake it?

That depends on the thickness of your creation. Some manufacturers recommend baking for 15 minutes for every 1/4" of thickness. For instance, a piece such as the Polymer Clay Sparkly Snowman Figure, would bake about an hour and a half. Check with the manufacturer's instructions for further details.

Caution: Do NOT allow polymer clay to burn. The plasticizer could release toxic fumes at high temperatures.

Additional Tips

For projects that require polymer clay to be flattened, you can use either a rolling pin and waxed paper or a pasta machine (to be used only on polymer clay--you don't want to make pasta in the same machine).

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