8 polymer clay tips for beginners

Polymer clay is one of the easiest materials to start with. It’s also one of the easiest to get wrong first time. Clay that won't soften, a fingerprint you spot too late or a piece that comes out brittle can all catch you out.

None of that means you've ruined it. Polymer clay stays workable right up until it goes in the oven, so most first-time mistakes are ones you can still fix.

The main polymer clay tips for beginners come down to eight things. Start with clean hands and surfaces and condition the clay properly. Support larger shapes from the inside and add holes and texture before baking. Smooth marks while the clay is soft and follow the packet’s baking instructions. Bake detailed pieces in stages and properly store what’s left over.

How to condition polymer clay and get set up

1.    Start with clean hands and a clean surface

Polymer clay has a habit of picking up whatever is nearby. Dust, fluff, pet hair and traces of other colours can all sneak into your make. So a quick clean before you start goes a long way. Wash and dry your hands, wipe down your tools and work on glass, ceramic tile or a smooth palette to. Avoid porous or textured surfaces, such as unfinished wood or cutting boards, which can absorb oils or mark the clay.

Working with several colours? Move from light to dark and clean your hands and tools between shades. It’s much easier than picking a mysterious red speck out of white clay later. Unless, of course, you’re going for a marbled look.

Image credit: Jade Kylander

2.    Crumbly clay? Keep working it

If your clay feels firm or crumbly straight from the packet, it probably needs a little more conditioning.

Learning how to condition polymer clay is about knowing what ready-to-use clay feels like. Knead a manageable piece, then roll and fold it until it feels smooth and pliable.

Not sure if it’s ready? Bend a small section and look at the edges. If you see cracks or crumbling, keep going. For larger amounts, a clay press can save your hands some work. Pass the clay through, fold it and repeat until the texture feels even.  You can also roll it between cling film to keep dust away and prevent sticking.

Polymer clay tools and shaping technique

3.    Build larger sculptures around a support

You don’t need solid clay throughout a larger sculpture. Use tightly compacted aluminium foil for the basic shape, cover it with conditioned clay, then build up the form and details.

If you need more structure, use an armature: a wire or foil frame inside the clay. It works particularly well for limbs, tails and other shapes that extend from the main body. It can also give separate pieces more support at the joins.

Don’t bulk out your project with air dry clay, play dough or plasticine. These materials behave and cure differently, so they aren’t interchangeable with polymer clay.

4.    Do the fiddly bits while the clay is still soft

This is also the time to add textures, patterns, glitter and other surface details. You don’t need a huge collection of polymer clay tools either. Modelling tools, cutters and textured items can create different effects, while glitter can be kneaded through the clay or pressed onto selected areas without glue.

How to smooth polymer clay for a cleaner finish

5.    Fingerprints are easy to fix while the clay is soft

Fingerprints are normal when shaping clay by hand. When learning how to smooth polymer clay, start with a light touch. Blend joins, soften fingerprints and neaten rough edges with your fingers. Something like a synthetic taklon brush or a blunt modelling tool will give you a more refined finish.

Turn the piece as you work because marks can appear under different light. For stubborn fingerprints, sparingly apply isopropyl rubbing alcohol with a cotton tip.

 Once the clay has cured and cooled, fine-grit sandpaper gives you another chance to refine rough areas.

How to bake polymer clay without the guesswork

6.    Check the packet before you set the oven

Different polymer clays can have different curing instructions, so check the packet before reaching for the oven dial.

For Mont Marte Make n Bake Polymer Clay, preheat your oven to 120–130°C (248–266°F). Allow around 30 minutes of baking for every 6mm of clay thickness. You can also watch our Make n Bake Product Demo for a closer look at preparing and baking your clay.

Use a standard oven setting rather than fan-forced. The fan can cause temperature spikes and make the heat harder to control.

Mont Marte Make n Bake Polymer Clay baking guide

Measure the thickest part of your make when working out the baking time. If you’ve used foil inside a larger sculpture, measure the surrounding clay rather than the piece’s full width.

Place your make towards the centre of the oven and away from direct heating elements for more even heat. Keep an eye on it through the oven door as repeatedly opening the oven can cause the temperature to fluctuate. An oven thermometer can help you keep an eye on the actual heat inside your oven. Trying an unfamiliar shape or technique? Bake a small test piece first to see how the clay behaves.

If you don’t have an oven, you can bake polymer clay in an air fryer. Models vary, so test a small piece before committing your finished make. Keep polymer clay out of the microwave as it needs controlled, dry heat to cure. Never leave polymer clay unattended in an oven or air fryer.

Let your piece cool completely. Thin polymer clay can remain slightly flexible, so a little bend is normal and doesn’t necessarily mean it’s underbaked.

7.    You can bake in stages

You don’t always need to finish a detailed sculpture before the first bake.

Mont Marte Make n Bake Polymer Clay can be re-baked up to six times. can be re-baked up to six times, so you can cure and cool one section before continuing. This makes complex pieces easier to handle. A finished section is less likely to be squashed while you’re concentrating on something close to it.

If you’re adding a sealer or varnish, check that it’s suitable for polymer clay.

How to store polymer clay for your next make

8.    Save those little scraps for later

Finished your project with a handful of bits and bobs left over? Keep them. Scraps are useful for testing textures, practising details, trying colour combinations, creating marbled effects or adding tiny details.

Unsure how to store polymer clay?

- Keep unused clay somewhere cool and away from direct sunlight

- Protect it from dust by wrapping it and keeping it in a suitable airtight container

- Keep different colours separated unless you plan to mix them

- Check that your container is suitable for raw polymer clay. Some plastics can react with uncured clay over time

Polymer clay FAQs

How do you condition polymer clay?

Work the clay with clean hands until it feels soft, smooth and easy to shape. A clay press can help with larger amounts; pass the clay through, fold it and repeat until it’s evenly conditioned.

How do you smooth polymer clay?

Smooth marks and joins before baking while the clay is still workable. Select tools can help neaten the surface without adding more fingerprints.

How do you bake polymer clay?

Mont Marte Make n Bake Polymer Clay cures at 120–130°C (248–266°F). Allow around 30 minutes of baking for every 6mm of thickness. Use a standard oven setting rather than fan-forced, and always check the instructions for the clay you’re using.

How do you store polymer clay?

Keep unused polymer clay in a cool, dark place away from heat and direct sunlight. Store it wrapped and protected from dust so it’s ready to use again next time.

Our polymer clay FAQs cover tools, air bubbles, cracking, armatures and clay that gets too soft.

Polymer clay gets easier the more you handle it. You’ll learn when it needs more conditioning, when a join needs support and when it’s time to stop fiddling. Your first piece probably won’t look exactly like the one in your head, but that’s how everyone starts.

Pick your colours and get started with these 16 polymer clay projects. We can't wait to see what you make, so tag us @montmarteart or use #montmarteart when you do.