Top polymer clay manufacturers for 2022

Polymer clay is a material similar in structure to plasticine, from which fakes, souvenirs, hairpins are made, sculptures are modeled, and even used as a decorative element. But differs from the mentioned material in its durability and strength.

Composition and types

Plastic consists of a base (PVC) and one more liquid plasticizer. Also, some manufacturers add various pigments to the base or mica to give a pearlescent or glossy effect.

Clay happens:

• Self-hardening - in other words, it does not need to make special efforts to harden it. It is enough just to leave the plastic in the air.
• Baked - polymer hardens under the influence of heat.

There are two ways to "bake" the material.

The first way is baking in the oven. Stages:

1. preheat the oven to about 100-130^OC;
2. the product is placed in a cupboard in faience or ceramic dishes (if there is no such dish, then the baking sheet must be covered with parchment);
3. bake for 5-40 minutes, depending on the thickness of the product;
4. turn off the oven and leave the product to cool without removing it.

Many craftsmen advise purchasing a special mini-oven for heat treatment of thermoplastics.

The second way is boiling.

The advantage of cooking is the following: Firstly, the material will not burn, will not deteriorate in any case. Secondly, you do not need to calculate the baking time minute by minute, because it will not work worse.

The disadvantages include the fact that after cooking something like lime appears on the product.

The following rules must be taken into account:

1. water must first be boiled;
2. we place the product in a bowl with boiling water, but only carefully, you do not need to throw it;
3. cooking time depends on the size of the product, usually one minute per 1 millimeter + an additional 5 minutes;
4. we also carefully take out the figurine and place it under cold water, but do not throw it or put it under a large stream of water. Enough to put in a container.

It is important to remember one thing for both baking methods: you cannot use a cooking utensil if it has already had a thermoplastic product in it.Also, after the mentioned procedure, it is recommended to put water in the oven and heat it inside about 3-5 times, and then wash it.

Rules for safe operation

• Many advise to work with gloves, so as not to inadvertently harm yourself, and also not to leave traces of fingerprints;
• it is forbidden to leave a child with plastic surgery without adult supervision;
• if the child took raw clay in his hands, then it is necessary to immediately wash them so that polymer particles do not get into the mouth - this can lead to poisoning;
• bake the product only if there is no food in the oven;
• if the clay burned out during baking, then immediately you need to open the window to ventilate the room, then go out for a while - so harmful vapors will not enter the body;
• before starting work, it is necessary to prepare the material for work, which means that you need to take a small piece and, kneading, warm it up;
• if the thermoplastic is self-hardening, then it is recommended to take a little material during work so that it does not dry out until the product is ready;
• it is forbidden to bake the product in a microwave oven;
• when working directly with the material, you only need to cut it “from yourself”, because due to the rigidity of the polymer, the knife can slip and cause harm;
• polymer can be mixed to get a new color that is not in the purchased palette. However, if the thermoplastic is at different temperatures, then this can lead to undercooking (the product will not be strong and will break quickly) or, on the contrary, to darkening;
• if the material is too hard, then it can be softened with: cream, petroleum jelly, plasticizer;
• in case of excessive softness, it is recommended to put a piece of plastic on paper and press down on both sides with something heavy - an excess amount of plasticizer flows out.

How and where to store?

Even if the clay is not self-hardening, this does not mean that it will not harden in the air. That's why:

• after opening, be sure to close the package tightly;
• if there is no packaging left, then cling film will do;
• for each color a separate package, as the material may stick together;
• must be stored under the conditions recommended by the manufacturer;
• plastic should not be left in direct sunlight, as its quality deteriorates.

After a detailed description of the clay, you should move on to the rating of the best polymer manufacturers, since it is very important to purchase high-quality clay that will not cause problems when used.

Top 8 Best Polymer Clay Manufacturers

Artifact Classic

1 place

High-quality material from a domestic manufacturer is used for all types of work - suitable for modeling and modeling.

Characteristic:

• The color scheme is classic colors (red, yellow, green, etc.). There are also fluorescent, with a metallic effect, mother-of-pearl.
• Baking temperature - 130^OC within 30 minutes.
• Package weight - 56 grams.
• But you can buy briquettes with standard colors (white, flesh, black) for 250 g.
• For children from 5 years old.

The average price is 150 rubles.

• malleable in modeling;
• does not dry out if the briquette is not completely closed;
• there is no unpleasant smell when baking (only if all the rules are followed);
• durable - 5 years.

• not suitable for sculpting small and thin parts;
• darkens if overbaked.

Without much effort, you can mold any figure (not small). After thermal exposure, it becomes durable, does not change in size - does not dry out. The manufacturer declares the environmental friendliness of the components and safety for others.

Sculpey III

2nd place

Thermoplastic is suitable for both beginners and professionals. But it is worth remembering that it is difficult to roll out.

Characteristic:

• Palette - only 44 shades with various effects and without them.
• Baked at 130^OC in 15 minutes.
• Package weight - 57 grams.
• For children from 3 years old.

The average price is 200 rubles.

• quality;
• keeps its shape well;
• easy to polish, grind;
• rich hues.

• slightly changes color after baking;
• not suitable for mixing polymer from another manufacturer;
• fragile.

Many recommend this thermoplastic for beginners, because it is easy to knead, pliable in work, repeats the desired shape of the product. It is also a great option for those who just want to test themselves in such a hobby, since the cost is not particularly high.

flower

3rd place

If you are new to modeling, then this plastic is the most suitable choice. Firstly, the manufacturer produces briquettes with several colors - you don’t have to buy anything else. Secondly, the democratic cost - it will not be a pity for money if the hobby is not to your liking.

Characteristic:

• Only 12 colors: white, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, blue, green, brown, black, dark green, burgundy.
• But the manufacturer provides separate packages with pastel and fluorescent colors, sparkles - there are already 6 shades here.
• Bake for 10 minutes at 120-130 degrees.
• Bar weight - 20 g.
• Age limit - from 5 years old.

The cost depends on the number of flowers in the package:

• 12 colors - 400 rubles;
• 6 - 200 rubles.

• palette;
• easy to mix;
• hardens quickly in the oven;
• budgeting;
• soft (if kneaded well);
• does not stick to hands.

• paints hands at work;
• it is difficult for a child to stretch the material before use;
• not suitable for creating small parts;
• dense consistency.

Plastic "Flower" is suitable for working with children or beginners, as it is difficult to mold too complex figures from it because of the texture. The very same clay of rich and bright colors will allow you to make simple, but beautiful products.

fimo

4th place

This company deservedly receives good reviews from all modeling enthusiasts, because the manufacturer offers customers high-quality polymer in several categories:

• Fimo Professional is the toughest and hardest of all these types. Suitable for making dolls, products with a large number of miniature parts.
• Fimo Effect - moderately hard, does not spread during operation.
• Fimo Soft is less hard, flexible and even allows you to make small details.
• Fimo Kids is the softest of all, so only large figures can be sculpted from it.

Characteristic:

• Palette - Fimo provides a huge number of colors. Some even imitate granite, precious stones.
• Heat treatment should last about 10-30 minutes at a minimum temperature of 110 degrees (the larger the product, the longer it is in the oven).
• Bar weight - from 42 g.
• Age limit - from 5 years old.

The average price is 200 rubles.

• variety of colors;
• easy to mold;
• keeps the shape
• does not change color after thermal exposure;
• does not stick to hands;
• nice to work.

• stretches for a long time.

This is the most popular company, as the manufacturer has created one of the highest quality thermoclays. With the help of it, many products are created that amaze with their appearance. According to reviews, working with such a polymer is a pleasure, because it repeats all the necessary shapes and curves of the product.

Cernit

5th place

No less popular company, like the previous one. Not suitable for beginners due to the dense structure - out of habit it will be difficult to knead such plastic.

Characteristic:

Cernit offers several color lines:

• Number One - basic colors;
• Translucent - transparent shades;
• Glamor - mother-of-pearl, soft glitter;
• Shiny - with a metallic effect;
• Nature - the colors are made to look like stones;
• Neon Light - fluorescent colors.

For heat treatment, 30 minutes at 115^OC.

Bar weight - 56, 250, 500 g.

Recommended for children over 8 years old.

The cost depends on the number of flowers in the package:

• 56 g. - 150 rubles;
• 250 g - 600 rubles;
• 500 g. - 1000 rubles.

• strength after processing;
• does not stick to hands;
• mixes easily with other colors;
• durable;
• saturated colors;
• does not darken;
• price.

• poorly amenable to grinding;
• during the molding process it takes in a lot of air; after heat treatment, irregularities on the surface may occur.

The manufacturer declares a non-toxic and safe composition. Despite the fact that the price is small, the quality of thermoplastics is on top.

Fleur

6th place

The second name of this company is “cold porcelain”, the most realistic products are obtained from the composition, in particular flowers.

Characteristic:

• The palette of shades depends on the selected set.
• The clay is self-hardening.
• Weight - depends on the set.
• The manufacturer did not indicate the recommended age for starting use.

The average price is 1000 rubles.

• elastic;
• does not lose color after drying;
• no need to bake
• allows you to roll out very thin layers;
• plastic;
• products after solidification are durable.

• dries quickly in the air - you need to work with small pieces;
• sticks to hands;
• price;
• awkward packaging.

When working with this polymer, you need to remember one of the main rules: Fleur clay is afraid of water, so you should avoid it so that moisture does not get on the finished parts. After drying, the finished products remain flexible, but do not break.

Sonnet

7th place

Plastic and pliable clay, from which you can mold figures of various sizes.

Characteristic:

• The manufacturer offers a huge number of colors - more than 40.
• The duration of heat treatment depends on the size of the figurine - from 3 to 30 minutes at 130 degrees.
• Package weight - 56, 120, 250, 1000 g.
• The manufacturer did not specify an age limit.

The price varies from 150 to 600 rubles.

• does not get dirty;
• quality;
• proposed number of colors;
• small expense;
• does not crumble;
• easy to mold;
• price;
• compound;
• soft.

• slightly changes color after heat treatment;
• grainy.

Based on numerous reviews, this thermoplastic is of sufficient quality for its cost. Large palette of colors with various effects.

Sculpey Premo!

8th place

Despite the fact that we have already indicated the polymer of this manufacturer in our rating, “Premo!” deserves special attention.

Characteristic:

The color line consists of 24 shades with different effects:

• 6 with a metallic effect with the addition of metallic mica;
• 3 colors “under granite”;
• 6 with mother-of-pearl;
• 6 translucent;
• 3 colors with glitter.

Bake for 15-30 minutes at a maximum temperature of 130^OC.

Package weight - 57, 227 g.

It is forbidden to use children from 0 to 8 years.

The average price is from 300 to 900 rubles.

• does not crumble;
• does not require long kneading;
• price;
• mixes well;
• does not stick to hands and does not get dirty;
• saturated colors;
• does not flow;
• easy to grind;
• nice to work.

• if the temperature regime is not observed, it may darken;
• insufficient number of translucent shades;
• fast consumption;
• small packages in which clay is sold.

Thermoplastic exceeds all the expectations of the masters, because when molded it is soft, but it does not spread, and after heat treatment it is hard and strong (it is almost impossible to break). Also, they cannot but please the proposed rich and juicy shades, where, indeed, sparkles are visible.

Thus, a huge number of polymer clay companies are provided on the market. Manufacturers, of course, have pleased even the most fastidious lovers of such creativity: various types of clay have been created (hard, soft, baked, self-hardening), and the palette of colors offered cannot but please the eye.

How to choose a good clay?

• first you need to determine which structure is preferable to work with (pulling, soft, hard, moderate);
• read the reviews of people who describe in detail how this or that clay behaves at work and always after sculpting, since some polymers may begin to crumble.

But every review is different. Through trial and error, sooner or later it will be possible to find exactly the clay that is pleasant to work with. The main thing to remember is that even for a small price you can buy high-quality plastic.

At the beginning of work, it may seem that everything is too complicated: the clay is not the same, the oven does not bake, the hands are crooked. But you should not give up everything at the beginning of the path - you just need to understand the whole principle of work.