Does polymer clay shrink when you bake it?

Answer 1

Polymer clay shrinks only a little bit... so little that you'd mostly notice it only if you were baking a large sheet (say over 6-8" that needed to fit someplace exactly). By contrast, air-dry clays often shrink a lot.

There are some variables that have to do with likelihood of shrinkage in polymer clays besides size --like brand, how much plasticizer or liquid clay is present, what clay sheets have been baked on and how they're cooled, etc.
You can read more about the variables that can make clay shrink on this page:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/Characteristics.htm
(... click on *Strength, Rigidity*... then scroll down to the subcategory called *Shrinking, Bleeding*...)

So, unless you're doing a few special things, polymer clay doesn't really shrink for all practical purposes.


HTH,

Diane B.

Answer 2

All manufacturers of clay can shrink. The ratio could be from one million% to 5%. i got here upon it relies upon on the softness/stickiness of the clay--how plenty solvent and plasticizer is modern. subsequently leached clay will shrink below sparkling clay. the thickness of the sheet looks to have an inverse dating to shrinkage

Answer 3

unless the heat is to high or the clay has been in to long it wont shrink.

Answer 4

If the heat is to High and or the clay is in to long!!

Answer 5

In general, no. Any shrinkage is very minimal. The size your item is when it goes into the oven is the size it will be when it comes out.