Tips for Slab-Building MethodUpdated 11 days ago

Slab-building is a technique where you roll out your clay into flat sheets, then cut and shape them into your piece. Here are some tips to help you get the best results.

Keep your clay from drying out
Air-dry clay dries faster than traditional clay, so keep any clay you are not working with covered in plastic wrap or in an airtight container. If your clay starts to feel dry or stiff while you are working, dampen a sponge and work a small amount of water into it while kneading. Note that this only works if the clay has not fully dried out yet.

Roll and assemble in stages
Rather than rolling out all your slabs at once, work in stages. Roll out and shape one part of your piece, let it dry to the leather-hard stage (firm but still slightly flexible), then move on to the next part. This makes your piece easier to handle and reduces the risk of it warping or losing its shape.

Drying your piece
Once assembled, leave your piece to dry at room temperature in a well-ventilated area. Avoid placing it near a direct heat source or in direct sunlight as this can cause cracking. Drying usually takes 24 to 48 hours but may take longer for thicker pieces. Make sure each part is fully dry before moving on to painting or varnishing.

Smoothing the surface
As air-dry clay dries it can develop a slightly rough texture. Once your piece is fully dry, you can smooth it out using fine-grit sandpaper. This is not included in the kit so you will need to source it separately.

Do not overwork the clay
Try to avoid reworking the same area of clay too many times. The more it is handled, the more likely it is to crack or weaken, especially at joins.