FAQs

We've compiled a bunch of frequently asked polymer clay questions below. If you can't find your question here, feel free to email us at hello@myclayco.com.au. We're always here to help!

We also have a range of helpful tutorials on our YouTube channel. You can find them all here.

 

Polymer Clay Basics

Do I need to bake polymer clay?
Yes. Polymer clay needs to be baked to cure.

Can I bake polymer clay in my regular oven?
Yes! Polymer clay is non-toxic so you can bake it in your home oven. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's baking instructions on the packet. Many polymer clay artists also use toaster ovens dedicated to clay crafting.

Do I need to bake my polymer clay straight away?
No. If you haven't finished your project, or have run out of time to get your piece baked, simply keep it covered in a cool place away from sunlight.

What is clay conditioning?
To condition your polymer clay, essentially means to massage and work it until it becomes a workable consistency. Some polymer clay can be soft out the packet while others can be quite firm, so there is no set time that you need to condition polymer clay for. You can condition polymer clay either by hand or with a clay/pasta machine.

How should I store my polymer clay that I'm not using?
Once your clay packet is open, we recommend keeping it in some kind of sealed bag or container, away from dust and keeping it in a cool place, away from sunlight. An important thing to note is that polymer clay can melt some plastics. You can read an article on this by The Blue Bottle Tree here.

Do I need to seal my polymer clay pieces?
No. You do not need to seal polymer clay unless you have incorporated another medium, such as acrylic paint, metallic leaf or pigment powder. You may also want to use a sealer (such as a varnish, glaze or UV resin) if you would like a glossy finish on your piece, but it is not necessary.

Can I reuse polymer clay scraps?
Yes. One of the great things about polymer clay is that your scraps can be used again and again. you can repurpose your scraps for other makes, and if you've used a mix of colours you can choose to mix it all up and create a new custom colour! You can find our video tutorial on using scraps here.

Does the brand of polymer clay matter?
Yes. You will find that all brands have different qualities. Some brands or variants of polymer clay are more flexible after baking, while others can be brittle. You will find some softer and others firmer.

Some brands even have different lines of polymer clay. For example, Sculpey have Sculpey III polymer clay that is more suited to modelling thicker items and kids projects. They also have Sculpey Premo and Souffle that can also be used for modelling, but are also great for fine details and thinner pieces like earrings, jewellery and accessories. 

 

Air Dry Clay Basics

Does air dry clay need to be baked?
No. Unlike polymer clay, air dry clay should not be baked (this can damage your pieces and cause excessive cracking). It should be left to dry for approximately 24-72 hours depending on the size of your piece.

Do you need to seal air dry clay?
Yes. Unlike polymer clay, air dry clay is not water resistant and can break down over time when exposed to moisture in the air. We highly recommend sealing your pieces. You can find a range of options here.

Can I use air dry clay with MyClayCo cutters?
Yes, we do however recommend using larger sized cutters with air dry clay as it is a lot softer and can get stuck in small or micro cutters.

 

Using MyClayCo Cutters & Tools

How do I stop my polymer clay getting stuck in my cutters?
This can be a common problem, especially when using small and intricate cutters. It's important to make sure that your clay isn't too thick, and we also recommend rolling it onto a gloss ceramic tile so that it sticks before stamping out your pieces. You can find a tutorial on different cutter stamping techniques here.

How do I clean my tools and cutters?
We find that a baby wipe is best for cleaning cutters and tools. Be careful with using harsh chemicals on your tools and cutters as they could damage them.

Can I clean my cutters in the dishwasher?
No. When exposed to warm temperatures cutters can begin to melt and warp so please do not put them in your dishwasher.

What material are your cutters made from?
Our cutters are 3D printed in-house by us with PLA, a biodegradable thermoplastic.

 

Orders, Shipping and Returns

How long will it take for my order to be processed?
Our standard processing time is 1-2 business days. During peak periods this may be 1-5 business days. Getting orders prepared and packed is our top priority so that we can get your clay and tools to you as quickly as possible.

How long does shipping take?
Shipping times depend on where you are located. You can check out shipping page for more details based on your region.

Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we do. 

What happens if my order arrives damaged or is faulty?
We want to ensure that you are happy with your order so if you did have any issues once your order is delivered, please contact us at hello@myclayco.com.au so that we can assist. We reply to emails within 1-2 business days.

 

For answers to more FAQ we highly recommend that you visit our YouTube channel here. It includes hundreds of video tutorials to help you on your polymer clay journey.