How to Use Paper Clay?

Written by 👉👉 How to Use Paper Clay?

Paper clay is a clay that is mixed with shredded paper or other fibers.

These fibers create a very strong and versatile clay that is also lightweight.

It's perfect for building ceramics of any size, including very large pieces that would be extremely heavy with standard clay. You can buy ready mixed paper clay at any good ceramics store or make it yourself.

Extra-Strength Clay

Paper clay is made by mixed regular clay with paper pulp. The paper fibers create a strong structure within the clay. This"capillary system" also transfers moisture easily and evenly throughout the clay.

Paper clay can be made with a variety of different clays, including terracotta, porcelain, earthenware, and stoneware. Though paper pulp is the most common and easiest fiber to work with, clay can also be mixed with any other cellulose fiber to create the same effect.

If you make your own paper clay, you can have complete control over the amount of fiber added to achieve the desires strength. This added strength allows you to easily make slabs that you can fold and bend without the tearing you may experience in more traditional clay. It makes creating shapes through hand molding a dream.

Improved Structure

Paper clay is also brilliant to use if you are making either a large structure or thinner, more delicate work. The added internal strength of the body clay means that the work can support itself. This also makes it much easier to transport.

Easy Repairs

Paper clay is also excellent for repairing any joins or cracks which may have appeared in your work. In fact, most potters use paper clay to mend flaws, even if the body clay of the piece is regular clay. You can even fix any breaks in bisque-fired paper clay with wet paper clay.

Faster Drying

Paper clay typically dries more quickly than regular clay because the moisture tends to evaporate much faster. Potters are also known to "force dry" paper clay as drying the work more quickly reduces the chances of it cracking.

Firing Paper Clay

The firing and glazing process for paper clay can be the same as regular clay, so you generally won't need to amend your normal routine. However, some potters do fire paper clay at a slightly higher temperature.

Be aware that the extra fibers which make the work so strong can also make the fired work more porous. During firing, the paper fibers burn away and this can make the work sightly more fragile to handle afterward.

Common Uses

Typically, potters use paper clay for hand building. You can throw paper clay, but it doesn't quite stretch as easily as regular clay. If you are throwing with regular clay, you can make paper clay with any scraps of clay that are leftover.