Can You Air Dry Paper Clay?

What is Paper Clay?

Paper clay is a modeling material made primarily from clay and cellulose fiber. The cellulose, which comes from plant sources like cotton or wood pulp, is soaked and blended with any natural clay. This gives the clay increased strength and flexibility compared to regular pottery clay.

The added fiber allows paper clay to be sculpted and shaped like regular clay. But unlike regular clay, paper clay can be dried completely without cracking. The fiber binds the clay particles together as it dries, giving paper clay unique properties and advantages over standard clays.

Paper clay is lighter and easier to work with than pure clay. The fiber content also makes it less prone to cracking and breakage. When dry, paper clay has an almost ceramic-like hardness while still retaining some flexibility. These attributes make it great for detailed sculptures, jewelry, decorative items, and other craft projects requiring fine shaping and texture.

Benefits of Using Paper Clay

One of the key benefits of working with paper clay compared to regular pottery clay is that it shrinks and cracks much less during the drying/firing process. Pieces made with paper clay will maintain their shape and size better without warping or cracking apart like some regular clays can when they dry. This makes it ideal for creating more intricate and delicate clay sculptures, jewelry, and decorative objects.

Paper clay also tends to be lighter in weight than ceramic clays once dried/fired. The cellulose fiber content makes pieces dry into a lightweight, flexible material that is easier to work with than heavier pottery clays. It’s great for making larger sculptural works, jewelry and wearable clay art that won’t become too heavy or brittle.

The smooth, soft texture of paper clay makes it very easy to sculpt and add finer surface details to pieces. It’s a very responsive and flexible clay that lends itself well to creating refined, detailed works with crisp edges and lines. Many artists choose paper clay specifically when they want the ability to sculpt very intricate designs, patterns and textures into their clay art.

How to Air Dry Paper Clay

Air drying paper clay is a simple process that involves sculpting your object and then allowing it to dry completely at room temperature. Here are some tips for successful air drying of paper clay:

First, roll out your clay and sculpt your desired object. Make sure the clay is an even thickness throughout the piece to ensure even drying. Next, place the finished clay object in a location with good air circulation. Avoid drying paper clay in direct sunlight or anywhere it could overheat. Air drying will take days or even weeks depending on the size and thickness of your piece.

As the clay dries, turn it regularly to prevent warping. Rotating the object every 12-24 hours allows it to dry evenly on all sides. Consider positioning a fan nearby to gently accelerate the drying time – just take care not to have the fan blowing directly on the clay nonstop. Check on the clay periodically. When thoroughly dry it will be firm and lightweight.

With proper air drying, paper clay holds its shape just as well as when fired in a kiln. Just be patient and allow adequate drying time for best results. Air dried paper clay makes an excellent choice for crafts, jewelry, sculptures, decorations, and more.

Tips for Successful Air Drying

There are a few tips that can help ensure your paper clay creations dry successfully when air drying:

Sculpt thinner pieces for faster drying. The thinner the clay, the faster it will dry. For larger pieces, keep walls under 1/4 inch thick. For intricate details, use thicknesses less than 1/8 inch.

Avoid enclosed areas that trap moisture. Hollow spaces or areas where clay folds back onto itself can retain moisture and prevent thorough drying.

Use cardboard or plastic sheets to prevent sticking. Place paper clay creations on these non-porous surfaces while air drying to prevent them from sticking.

Store in breathable container like paper bag. Once dried, store paper clay in paper bags or cardboard boxes. Avoid airtight plastic containers that can trap moisture.

Using a Kiln or Oven to Dry Paper Clay

While air drying paper clay is very convenient, it can take a long time for pieces to fully dry and harden. For faster drying, you can use a kiln or oven set to a low temperature under 200°F. The low heat helps drive out excess moisture from the clay quickly and evenly.

When using an oven or kiln, prop open the door slightly to allow humidity to escape. If the door is sealed completely, steam can build up inside and prevent thorough drying. Also, monitor the temperature closely and don’t overheat the clay. Temperatures over 200°F can cause the clay to scorch or burn.

The key is low and slow heating. Drying paper clay in a kiln or oven at around 175°F for 1-2 hours works well for most pieces under 1 inch thick. You may need longer times for larger, thicker items. Just check frequently until the clay has hardened completely.

Kiln drying produces the best results, but a regular kitchen oven also does the job quite well. Just be sure to keep the temperature low and allow moisture to vent during the entire drying time.

Storing Paper Clay Pieces

After your paper clay sculptures and creations are fully air dried, it is important to store them properly to preserve their shape and structure. Here are some tips for storing paper clay pieces:

Wrap pieces in plastic after they are completely dry. Plastic wrap or bags will help protect air dried paper clay from absorbing excess moisture from the air. Too much moisture can cause paper clay to become soft or misshapen over time.

Keep pieces in a cool, dry location away from moisture and humidity. Places like cupboards, drawers, or shelves work well. Avoid storing paper clay creations in damp basements or garages.

Take precautions against moisture absorption and deformation. Since paper clay contains paper, it can become warped or fragile if stored in moist conditions. Check periodically for any condensation or moisture buildup inside storage bags or containers.

By taking some simple precautions with storage, your dried paper clay pieces will maintain their structural integrity and last for many years. Proper storage is important for preserving the time and effort put into your paper clay art and craft projects.

Painting and Coloring Dried Paper Clay

One of the great things about paper clay is that once it’s dried, you can paint it just like regular clay. Acrylic and tempera paints work well for adding color. You can also use colored pencils, markers, pastels, and other coloring materials.

For the best adhesion and vibrancy, it’s a good idea to use a primer first. An acrylic primer will help the paint stick to the surface better. Apply a thin coat and let it fully dry before painting.

You can also use glazes on dried paper clay. The glaze will give the piece a glossy finished look. Keep in mind that oil-based glazes and paints are not recommended for paper clay as they can cause issues over time.

If you plan on placing your finished paper clay sculpture outside, make sure to use weatherproof and UV-resistant paints and sealants. This will protect the piece from sun damage and prevent the colors from fading over time.

With the right preparation, painted paper clay makes a lightweight and durable art material suitable for both indoor and outdoor display.

Paper Clay vs Air Dry Clay

Paper clay and air dry clay are two different types of modeling materials that have some key differences.

Air dry clay is a modeling material that does not require firing in a kiln. It air dries to hardness at room temperature. Typical air dry clays include materials like Crayola Model Magic or Original Sculpey.

The main advantage of air dry clay is that it does not require a kiln for hardening. However, it has some downsides compared to paper clay:

• Air dry clay is less flexible and prone to cracking as it dries.
• It has lower overall strength and durability compared to paper clay.
• Air dry clays are typically cheaper than paper clay.

Paper clay contains cellulose fiber that gives it increased strength and flexibility compared to air dry clays. This makes it less prone to cracking and breakage. The firing process also makes paper clay more durable and water-resistant.

While air dry clay offers convenience, paper clay is stronger and longer-lasting if you have access to a kiln. The type of project and needed durability can help determine which material is the best choice.

Pros and Cons of Air Drying Paper Clay

Air drying paper clay has both advantages and disadvantages compared to drying it in a kiln or oven. Here are some of the main pros and cons to consider:

Pros:

• Convenient – Air drying paper clay does not require any special equipment like a kiln or oven. You can let your pieces dry at room temperature in your own home.
• Skips firing step – Air drying avoids the extra firing step needed when clay is dried in a kiln. This saves time and effort.

Cons:

• Very slow process – Air drying paper clay can take weeks, whereas firing in a kiln may only take hours.
• Warping risk – Air dried pieces are more prone to warping or cracking while drying.
• Less durable – Air dried paper clay is more fragile and less sturdy than pieces fired in a kiln.

When to Choose Air Drying Over Firing

While firing paper clay in a kiln or oven will make the pieces much stronger and more durable, there are a few instances where air drying is the better choice:

Small, thin pieces: Paper clay areas that are very small or thin may not hold up well to the high temperatures in a kiln. Very fragile pieces are better suited to simple air drying.

If no kiln available: If you do not have access to a kiln or oven that reaches the proper temperature for firing clay, air drying is your only option. While the pieces will be less durable, air dried paper clay will still harden nicely.

Non-functional decorative items: If you are making paper clay decorations, figurines, jewelry, or other items that do not need to be highly durable, air drying provides a simple finishing method. The lightweight nature of paper clay is ideal for decorative purposes.

Can fire later for added durability: One option is to air dry your paper clay creations first, then later coat them with a clear acrylic spray or fire them in a kiln to add strength and hardness. This allows you to check the pieces when dry and make any tweaks before permanently finishing them with a protective coating.