Baking Instructions

Sculpey Polymer Clay Baking Instructions

Find out how to bake Sculpey Polymer Clays with our detailed instructions.

How to Bake Polymer Clay

Sculpey & Premo Polymer Clays can be baked in a regular household oven. Some moisture and residue may collect on the inside of the oven so please thoroughly wipe clean after use.

Alternatively you can use a small portable toaster oven, available relatively cheaply from most department stores. The temperature settings on toaster ovens can vary from that shown on the dial and most do not have a built-in thermometer. We'd recommend purchasing an oven thermometer to ensure you are at the ideal temperatures. Due to the element position in a toaster oven, you may need to adjust to a temperature to slightly below the recommended temperature to avoid burning or scorching the clay. You may also need to use just one element and adjust the shelf to the furthest position from the heat source.

Regardless of your preferred baking apparatus, we recommend having a play and doing a few test-bakes before placing your carefully crafted masterpiece in the oven. There is a fine line between under-baked and over-baked. An under-baked clay will still be "raw" inside which may result in cracking or shape distortion, while an over-baked clay may brown, crack or bubble on the surface.

Before we get started

Please make sure your work area is covered and you are not working on an unprotected surface. We recommend working on the Sculpey® Work ‘n Bake Clay Mat, wax paper, metal baking sheet, or disposable foil. Uncured clay may damage unprotected furniture or finished surfaces. Be sure to cover your crafting area appropriately.

What can and can't be baked?

Before we get started, it's important to know what can and can't be baked. The Sculpey Work 'n Bake Mat can be placed in the oven, as can the Bead Baking Rack and most metal skewers. Silicone Molds can be baked while most other molds can not. Tools generally can't be placed in the oven, neither can cutters and texture sheets.

It's important to read the information supplied with your tools, molds and other equipment to determine which can be placed in the oven with a clay item and which can't.

Liquid Sculpey & Bake and Bond

Liquid Sculpey products and Bake & Bond are designed to work with the unbaked clay and cured in the oven. These products do not set by themselves so ensure they are only applied to pre-baked clay, or partially baked pieces to be finished in the oven after the application of the liquid.

Baking Times and Temperatures

As we mentioned, it's important to bake your clay for the right amount of time at the right temperature. In a standard oven, the following is a good general rule. In a toaster-oven or gas oven, you may need to adjust the temperature down slightly.

If a piece is under-baked, you can return it to the oven. An over-baked piece generally can't be salvaged.