How to Use Polymer Clay Cutters
A step by step way to cut clean polymer clay shapes: how to prepare the slab, which surface to cut on, how to press and lift, and how to tidy edges before baking.
Published
What you need
- Polymer clay that stays strong when thin. Clay educators name Premo, Souffle, Fimo, Kato, Cernit, and Pardo as strong choices for thin pieces.
- An acrylic roller or a pasta machine, plus two guides of equal height if you roll by hand.
- A glossy ceramic tile or a sheet of glass to cut on.
- Your cutters.
- Cornstarch and a soft brush, plastic wrap, or a small spray bottle of water, in case the clay sticks.
- A thin blade for lifting shapes, plain paper to bake on, and an oven thermometer.
Step by step
- Condition the clay. Knead it until it is smooth and pliable. Conditioning makes the clay easier to work and less likely to crack later.
- Roll an even slab. About 2 to 4 mm suits most earrings. Keep the thickness the same across a pair, and see the <a href="/blog/polymer-clay-earring-size-guide">earring size guide</a> for sizes by style.
- Press the slab onto the tile and smooth it down so it grips. Clay that is stuck to the work surface does not ride up inside the cutter.
- Add texture now if you want it. Texture the slab first and cut afterwards, so the pattern runs to the edge.
- Press the cutter straight down until it meets the tile.
- Give the cutter a small wiggle to free the edge, then lift it straight up.
- Peel away the scrap. Lift the clay from around the shapes and leave the shapes where they are.
- Tidy the edges while the clay is raw. A light fingertip pass along the edge removes most of what you would otherwise sand.
- Mark holes rather than poking them. A small dot shows where to drill once the piece is baked, which keeps the hole round.
- Slide a thin blade under each shape, move it onto plain paper on a tile, and bake. See <a href="/blog/how-to-bake-polymer-clay-earrings">how to bake polymer clay earrings</a>.
Sharp edge or rounded edge
Cutting straight into the clay leaves a crisp, square edge. For a soft, slightly domed edge, lay plastic wrap smoothly over the slab, cut through the wrap, peel the wrap off, and then lift the cutter. The wrap also keeps the clay from sticking to the cutter.
Using 3D printed cutters
Printed cutters are used in exactly the same way. Two things are worth knowing. Simple shapes release with a wiggle, while detailed shapes with tight inside corners can hold clay however carefully you cut, so brush a little cornstarch onto the clay before cutting those. And clean printed cutters with a damp cloth or a soft brush rather than hot water, which can deform PLA.
If a shape keeps tearing at the same point, the fix is usually in the cutter design. Clay cutter design settings for clean cuts and release covers points, bridges, and inside corners.
Quick fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Clay lifts out with the cutter | Cutting on paper or a matte surface | Cut on glossy tile or glass and press the slab down first |
| Shape stretches when you move it | Clay too warm or too soft | Let the slab rest or chill it for a few minutes, and lift with a blade |
| Ragged edge | Scrap pulled away roughly, or clay dragged by the cutter | Wiggle before lifting, then smooth the raw edge with a fingertip |
| Clay stuck in fine detail | Tight inside corners | Brush cornstarch onto the clay, or cut through plastic wrap |
| Oval or torn holes | Holes poked in raw clay | Mark a dot and drill after baking |
More on the most common one: why polymer clay sticks to cutters and how to stop it.
Make a clay cutter in your own shape
Frequently Asked Questions
- What surface should I cut polymer clay on?
- A glossy ceramic tile or a sheet of glass. The clay grips the smooth surface, so it stays put when you lift the cutter. On paper the clay has nothing to hold and tends to jam inside the cutter.
- How thick should I roll polymer clay for cutters?
- About 2 to 4 mm for most earrings. Use the thicker end for large, long, or narrow shapes.
- Do I need cornstarch to use clay cutters?
- Not always. Try a glossy surface and firmer clay first. If a detailed cutter still holds the clay, brush a very light dusting of cornstarch onto the clay.
- Should I make holes before or after baking?
- After. Drilling a baked piece with a small hand drill gives a round, clean hole. Poking raw clay tends to distort it. A dot marked in the raw clay gives you a guide.
- How do I clean polymer clay cutters?
- Wipe them with a damp cloth or a baby wipe after use, and lift residue out of corners with a soft brush. Keep 3D printed PLA cutters away from hot water.
Sources: Sculpey, tips for using cutters with your clay and how to prevent clay from sticking to cutters. The Blue Bottle Tree, how to prevent polymer clay sticking in cutters and polymer clay earring mistakes.