How to Bake Polymer Clay Earrings
Temperature and time by clay brand, why an oven thermometer matters more than the dial, how to stop scorching, and how to tell when a piece is fully cured.
Published
Baking temperature and time by brand
These are the figures each maker publishes. Formulas change, so the wrapper in your hand is the final word.
| Clay | Temperature | Time | Published by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sculpey Premo | 275 F (130 C) | 30 minutes per 1/4 inch (6 mm) of thickness | Sculpey |
| Sculpey Souffle | 275 F (130 C) | 30 minutes per 1/4 inch (6 mm) of thickness | Sculpey |
| FIMO soft | 230 F (110 C) | 30 minutes | Staedtler |
| Kato Polyclay | 275 to 300 F (135 to 150 C) | 10 to 30 minutes | Kato Polyclay |
Other brands, such as Cernit and Pardo, print their own figures on the wrapper. Sculpey's directions also say not to use a microwave oven.
Step by step
- Put an oven thermometer on the shelf where the pieces will sit, and preheat. Many ovens overshoot while they heat up, so wait until the reading settles.
- Lay the pieces on plain, unprinted paper or cardstock on a ceramic tile or a metal tray. Paper stops the shiny patches a glazed tile leaves on the back, and ink from printed paper can transfer to the clay.
- Use the middle shelf, away from the heating elements.
- Cover the pieces. An upturned foil pan or a tent of foil shields them from direct heat when the element cycles on.
- Bake for at least the time on the package for the thickness of the piece.
- Let the pieces cool completely before you judge them. Staedtler notes that FIMO is only completely hard once it has cooled.
How long for thin earrings
Package times are written per thickness, so a 3 mm earring works out shorter than a 6 mm one. Treat that figure as the minimum, not a target to undercut. Sculpey's directions say not to exceed the stated temperature or time. The Blue Bottle Tree, which tests baking in detail, finds that longer baking at the correct temperature makes clay stronger and suggests at least 45 minutes per 1/4 inch, while noting that light and translucent colors can darken with long bakes. Both agree on the temperature: check it with a thermometer and do not go above it.
How to tell it is done
- Fingernail test: press a nail into the back of a cooled piece. If it leaves a permanent mark, bake the piece again for longer.
- Flex test: a properly cured thin piece bends a little. If a thin piece snaps or crumbles, it was underbaked.
- An underbaked piece can go back in the oven.
Problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Brown or dark spots | Oven hotter than the dial, or pieces close to the element | Use an oven thermometer, the middle shelf, and a foil cover |
| Earrings snap | Underbaked, or a clay that is brittle when thin | Bake at the right temperature for the full time, and use a strong clay for thin pieces |
| Shiny patch on the back | Baked directly on a glazed tile | Bake on plain paper or cardstock |
| Bumps or bubbles | Air trapped while conditioning | Condition thoroughly, and open visible bubbles before baking |
| Specks of lint | Dust on hands, clothes, or the work surface | Wash your hands, clean the surface, and avoid touching clothing while you work |
| Cracks | Poorly conditioned or old, dry clay | Condition fully and use fresh clay |
Make earring cutters in your sizes
Frequently Asked Questions
- What temperature do you bake polymer clay earrings?
- The temperature on the package. Sculpey Premo and Souffle are 275 F (130 C), FIMO soft is 230 F (110 C), and Kato Polyclay is 275 to 300 F (135 to 150 C).
- How long do you bake polymer clay earrings?
- At least the package time for the thickness. Premo and Souffle are 30 minutes per 1/4 inch (6 mm), and FIMO soft is 30 minutes. If a cooled piece marks under a fingernail, bake it longer.
- Why did my polymer clay earrings burn?
- The oven was hotter than the dial said, or the pieces were too close to the heating element. Use an oven thermometer, bake on the middle shelf, and cover the pieces with a foil pan.
- Why are my polymer clay earrings brittle?
- Usually underbaking. Check the real oven temperature and bake for the full time. Some softer clays are also brittle when thin, so use a strong clay for earrings.
- Can you rebake polymer clay?
- Yes. If a piece is underbaked, put it back in at the correct temperature for longer.
- Do polymer clay earrings need to be sealed after baking?
- No. Baked polymer clay does not need a sealer. A sealer is only for protecting a surface treatment such as glitter or chalk.
Related: 12 polymer clay earring mistakes and how to sand and finish polymer clay earrings.
Sources: Sculpey, Premo and Souffle baking directions and 6 things to avoid when baking polymer clay. Staedtler, FIMO soft hardening instructions. Kato Polyclay, curing temperatures. The Blue Bottle Tree, baking tips and tricks and how flexible polymer clay should be.