Measuring Tools

Rulers and Grids

Rulers or ruled grids help you make carefully measured cuts. Cork-backed metal rulers are particularly popular, because you can cut along the metal ruler with a craft knife without worrying about cutting into the ruler, as sometimes happens with wooden or plastic rulers. Also, the plasticizers in polymer clay sometimes react badly with plastics and woods. With metal, this shouldn't be an issue.

Marxit Tool

The Marxit is the invention of polymer clay artist Donna Kato. The plastic hexagonal cylinder is six inches long and marked with different increments (from 3 to 20mm) on each side. By pressing the tool along a cane or roll of clay, you impress these marks into the clay and give yourself a guide for cutting equal slices from the cane.

For more information on the Marxit tool, visit this website:
Marxit, by Kato
http://www.katopolyclay.com/marxit.html

Polymer Clay Template

AMACO offers a thin plastic template designed with the polymer clay artist in mind. It is intended to aid in measuring precise amounts of clay. There are reports that if this template is stored without careful cleaning, traces of clay residue can eat away at the markings, so be sure to clean it after each claying session.

Comb

Even something as simple as a comb or hair pick can be helpful in measuring clay. Press the comb gently into a block or length of clay. The teeth of the comb will leave shallow impressions in the soft clay, providing a guide for cutting even slices.