How to Bake Polymer Clay: Tips and Tricks for Perfect Results

Imagine spending hours designing and making a beautiful pair of polymer clay earrings or miniature cake for it to get burned because it wasn’t baked properly

Something like that might put you off another project, so why not learn the ropes the first time around so that your polymer clay bakes are dough-lightful (yep, I really wrote that) every single time? 

In this blog post, I’ll walk through the process of baking polymer clay to perfection.

Firstly, do you have to bake polymer clay?

Pretty much all polymer clay requires baking. But, most brands produce air-drying polymer clay that doesn’t need to be baked, such as Sculpey Air-dry and FIMOair. It has a different texture from traditional polymer clay and doesn’t have the benefit of not hardening if left out. 

This might be suitable for specific projects and a safer option when working with young makers.

I think one of the reasons why people are so dubious about using polymer clay that needs baking in an oven or toaster oven is that they’re afraid the toxins from the clay will affect food and make their family unwell. Well, good news – polymer clay is actually non-toxic. It’s safe for kids and pets and fine to bake it using your kitchen oven. 

I keep aside a separate baking tray that has seen better days just for my polymer clay. 

Baking Instructions for Polymer Clay

You can use a regular old oven or even a toaster oven to bake polymer clay.

Preheat Your Oven

Before you start baking your polymer clay, preheat your oven or toaster oven to the temperature specified on your clay package. Most polymer clay brands suggest baking at 265°F to 275°F (130°C to 135°C) for about 15-30 minutes per 1/4 inch (6mm) of thickness. I’ve added a few specific polymer clay brand requirements for temperatures and baking times below.

To make sure your oven is at the right temperature, test it with a thermometer. 

What Should You Bake Polymer Clay On?

Place your polymer clay creation on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. You can reuse the silicon mat every time you bake, so this is the least wasteful option. Using a mat or paper will stop the clay from sticking to the baking sheet and ensure it bakes evenly. Silicon mats are easy to clean, too, reducing the chances of getting extra ‘bits’ baking onto your polymer clay creation. 

Before putting your polymer clay in the oven, cover it with an aluminium tray or foil to prevent it from burning or browning on the edges.

How to Bake Clay in the Oven

Once you’re ready to go, carefully place the baking tray with your polymer clay creation in the oven. Set a timer for the recommended baking time based on the thickness of your creation. As tempting as it is, try not to open the oven door during the baking process, as this can cause temperature fluctuations and affect the final result. If you’re really concerned about your work burning, do a test first.

How Long Does it Take to Bake Polymer Clay?

The polymer clay type and thickness of your creation will affect how long it takes polymer clay to bake. 

Before baking your project, do a test with a piece of clay with a thickness of ¼ inch (6mm). If the clay burns, then your oven is too hot. Turn it down and re-test. 

But, generally, you can follow the rule that for every 1/4 inch (6mm) of thickness, it will take around 15-30 minutes to bake polymer clay in the oven.

These are the baking instructions for some of the most well-known polymer clay brands. Since each brand has loads of clay types, you should double-check the package before baking.

Baking Sculpey Clay

Temperature: Preheat the oven to 275℉, or 130°C

Baking time: 15-30 minutes for every ¼ inch (6mm) thickness

Baking FIMO Clay

Temperature: Preheat the oven to 110°C

 Baking time: 30 minutes 

Taking Your Clay From the Oven

Once the baking time has elapsed, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven and place it on a heat-resistant surface. Allow the polymer clay to cool completely before handling it. Once it has cooled, you can sand, paint, or glaze your creation as desired.

Polymer clay still feels soft when it first comes out of the oven, so it’s pretty essential to keep an eye on the time and the temperature for a proper bake. When it’s baked properly, polymer clay can be marked with a fingernail, but it won’t sink in.

Tips for Baking Polymer Clay