Types of Polymer Clay
There are many types or brands of polymer clay available on the market today.
In this page I will review the properties of a few common types -
Sculpey III
Sculpey III is soft clay, easy to use streight from the package. it is ideal for beginners and children as it doesn't require great hand strength. It is rigid and brittle after baking, this clay is suitable for beads and home decor that are fairly thick. it is not recommended to thin pieces or millefiori canes. This clay is available in many colors. The colors blend easily, which is good for color mixing.
Fimo Classic
Fimo Classic is firmer than any of Sculpey clays, and is the most suitable for making millefiori canes. Fimo can be dry and crumbly out of the package and needs conditioning.
Cernit Cernit is fairly firm out of the package but it is very reasponsive to warmth by handling. It is less flexible than some other clays but fairly strong. It is the clay choice for dollmakers and loved for its porcelain-like finish. It is very strong after baking.
Kato Kato is the stiffest of all of polymer clays, but it is also the strongest and flexible when baked. It is a bit glossy on the surface after baking. The Kato canes are nicely sliced immediately after the are reduced unlike other brands that needs a bit of "rest" before slicing. For purchasing Kato Polyclay visit this website - http://www.prairiecraft.com/
Ultralight Ultralight (by Sculpey Polyform) is a unique clay, it is very lightweight. This clay is extremely soft and easy to knead, but it becomes very hard after baking. This clay is available only in white, but it can be painted after baking. It makes a nice filler for larger polymer clay beads.
Sculpey Amazing Eraser Clay Polymer clay that becomes a real eraser after it’s baked. Fun and functional, this clay is ideal for school age children. Eraser clay can even be baked right on a pencil. Amazing Eraser Clay can be molded, sculpted, stamped or patterned, just like regular Sculpey clays, to create a vibrant collection of usable erasers.
Studio by Sculpey Studio by Sculpey was received by the clayers community with a lot of enthusiasm. It has nice qualities both during sculpting and after baking: it is easy to condition, not too soft, does not stick too much to hands and other surfaces, have a soft suede touch, and it is sturdy and durable after baking. The clay comes in a nice soft palette of colors.
Pardo Pardo is the newest clay on the market, and it came from Germany (Viva Decor). It has no odor before, during, and after baking and comes in beautiful colors. Made with beeswax, it contains no phthalates. When baked, it is strong and flexible, but in its raw form it is a bit too soft for canes.
Liquid polymer clay Is available under a number of brand names, it may be used as a softener for solid clay and as a bonding aid when adding layers to previously baked parts. It may be tinted and used as paint or it can be used as a transfer medium with paint images. The clay's qualities, such as surface sheen, translucence and clarity, vary from brand to brand.
Choosing your favorite polymer clay is usually made according to your future creation, for example, caning, choose stiffer clays (such as Fimo Classic, Premo or Kato); You will need a stronger clays for jewelry, since they are handled by hand and fall more frequently than a sculpture sitting on a shelf; Need a specific color that is not available in your favorite brand? you can choose your clay by color if you have any special preferences. Remember to check the package size when comparing the prices. Most clays are packaged in 2-oz packages, but some come in bigger or smaller packages.
