Creating sculptures from clay is not easy. It’s a process that requires effort and skill in order to achieve the best results. Unfortunately, many people forget the importance of using the best polymer clay for sculpting projects.
Yes! The quality of clay you use is crucial for your sculptures. Polymer clay is a type of hardened clay that is created using a product referred to as polymer polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Whether you are into decorative arts, craft items, or making sculptures, polymer clay ensures the best results.
The top pick in this guide would have to be Premo! Sculpey. Why? Premo! Sculpey has various unique benefits: it includes a 12-color set, it is also easy to use and is durable. The remaining clay products on this list are also equally exceptional. They include:
Top Pick is the Premo! Sculpey
Expect to produce high-quality sculptures and artwork when you have the Premo Sculpey polymer clay. The clay is extremely durable when baked. It is designed to suit the various needs of artists. It’s available in a set of vibrant colors that are based on oil paints.
The color diversity is often an essential consideration for most clay workers, especially if you have a color-intensive project. Expect to easily mix the clay with other polymer clays, powders, or even pigments to produce custom results. The polymer clay is also easy to manipulate. Plus, you can oven-bake it without any crumbling or breaking issues.
As one of the best polymer clay on the market, this unit is easy to use for bead making, wearable art, rubber stamping, and more. It’s also ready to use straight from the package, with no preparation required. Designed to be smooth and pliable, this polymer clay is easy to knead. Even if it’s easy to knead, it will stay firm for detailed work, and won’t easily crumble.
The Good
- Available in a set of 12 different colors
- Easy to bake without crumbling or breaking issues
- Can be mixed with other clay products
The Bad
- Could have a better color indicator for convenience
Another Top Pick is the Original Sculpey
The Original Sculpey Polymer clay is a modern modeling compound that remains pliable even when used at room temperature. As one of the best polymer clay, this product is non-sticky, non-staining and it won’t shrink.
Perhaps the most crucial factor to consider when choosing the best polymer clay is the ease of manipulation of your chosen clay. Thus, this is what you can expect when you have the Original Sculpey: when placed in a conventional oven, it will become hard and it will not break or even crumble.
Being able to manipulate or customize the final baked product should also be a crucial factor to consider. Thus, once you are done with the baking process, you will find it easy to add designs to the sculpture in order to suit your needs. You can sand, carve, rebake, or even paint on it by using acrylic.
The Good
- Non-sticky and non-staining
- Available in three colors including gray, white and terra cotta
- Easy to re-bake, paint or carve for clay projects
The Bad
- None
Also Consider the Sculpey III
With the Sculpey III, fun is always a part of every project you make. This is why you should consider adding this unit to your artwork projects. The material is soft and highly pliable, making it ideal for novices and even experts. It is easy to bake in the oven, and it won’t break or crumble.
The color diversity of your chosen clay set should also be important. Therefore, with the Sculpey III, you will have access to as many as 30 assorted colors. These colors are dynamic and perfect for working on different polymer clay projects.
Even more, the Sculpey III is easy to manipulate to suit your specific pottery projects. You will find it easy to adjust and fold into new shapes and patterns. The best part about using this polymer clay – it does not have unusual scents. It will also not cause any allergies.
The Good
- Available in as many as 30 colors
- Easy to manipulate into many patterns
- Can be baked to provide high-quality results
The Bad
- Could have a better scent
The Super Sculpey
You will realize what you have been missing in your art projects when you have the Super Sculpey polymer clay. The ceramic-like sculpting compound is easy to work with. You can even prepare it in the oven – no kiln required! The material is semi-translucent and beige-pink to make it ideal for different types of art projects.
As one of the best polymer clay products on the market, you can carve, sand, or even drill it after baking. The material is shutter and chip-resistant. It is perfect for novices who never pay any real attention to detail. As expected with all high-end polymer clay products, the Super Sculpey bakes fast. Plus, it’s durable.
Yes! The polymer clay won’t break or crumble even if you bake it. You will find it easy to customize your crafts when you are done with your artwork projects
The Good
- Semi-translucent and beige-pink clay for creating prototypes
- Easy to carve, sand and drill after baking
- Shatter and chip-resistant clay material
The Bad
- N/A
The Della Robbia Oven Bake Clay
When you want to work like a pro, you need the correct tools. Sculpting is never easy, but it will be when you learn about the Della Robbia Oven Bake Clay. The clay has a deep vibrant brown color. To achieve best results, the clay needs to be kept moist and pliable by using water. Yes, keeping this clay maintained is a breeze, just as it is easy to manipulate to produce unique crafts.
Similar to all the high clay products on the market today, the clay dries fast and is easy to manipulate into unique shapes. The clay is also durable, and offers lasting benefits. Any sculpture or craft made using the Della Robbia Clay will surely cause it to last for many years.
The Good
- Has a deep vibrant brown color
- Offers ease of use and manipulation
- Can bake at 250°F (121°C)
The Bad
- Requires many days of drying before baking
- Available in a single color
The Super Sculpey Firm
Make a good impression with your artwork when you have the correct polymer clay for your needs. With the Super Sculpey Firm, converting your ideas into artwork has never been this easy. The polymer clay has all the benefits and functions you need to produce quality craftwork.
For instance, the extra firm polymer clay is easy to sculpt. You can also use it for projects that require even the most exquisite details. The material has a gray color to let sculptors create fine details conveniently. Thus, you and photographers will find it easy to catch the finest points when working on your artwork.
The Super Sculpey Firm clay is exceptional and commonly used by professionals worldwide. As you would expect with the best polymer clay on the market, the Super Sculpey Firm is easy to manipulate into different crafts.
The Good
- Easy to carve and use to produce fine details
- Can be baked for extra quality
- Durable and available in different colors
The Bad
- None
How to Choose the Best Polymer Clay
- Color diversity. Color is not necessarily an indicator of quality when buying clay products. That said, if you need many colors, ensure that you check the features of your chosen items. Some products only come in a single color.
- Ease of manipulation. The clay should be easy to manipulate into different shapes and forms. Some brands are known for producing clay that is frail. A few might have unusual scents. Remember to consider the ease of use of your chosen product.
- Can it bake in the oven? Yes, you can oven-bake only when you have the right polymer clay type. The brands we have in this guide are all easy to bake in the oven. Moreover, the clay should resist any crumbling or frailing that usually occur due to being exposed to high oven temperatures.
- Durability. The clay should also provide longevity benefits. The last thing you want is clay that will start fading or cracking after a few days. While preparation of the clay is vital, the material’s quality also has a significant impact on your results.
Final Thoughts
As we all know, aside from your skills as an artist, the quality of resources you use is equally important. When you have the best polymer clay, producing artwork becomes a breeze. You will find it easy to manipulate the clay into different shapes, forms, designs, and more. Before buying a particular clay set, consider the nature of your project and your needs. For instance, though products such as the Della Robbia Oven Bake Clay are available in one color, they are still perfect for your needs.
That said, products such as Premo! Sculpey is diverse! Remember to consider the type of clay, and its specific features to ensure the best results for your projects.