Regarding baking at temperatures higher than 130ºc: please don't even think about it! At higher temperatures (I think 150ºc and beyond) polymer clay burns up, and it gives off toxic vapours. These temperature figures depend on the clay you are working with of course. Baking temperature for Kato® clay, to name one brand, never should exceed 170ºc.

By following the manufacturer's instructions for their particular brand of clay, your pieces will come out better, tougher and without tan shades. Another tip is to always preheat the oven to 130ºc - or to whatever temperature the manufacturer indicates is best.

Setting the pieces to be baked on an oven tray placed close to the bottom oven rack helps for even baking. Another thing to consider would be turning off any upper heat. If you cannot do this, place a tray at the uppermost section of the oven, covering the elements, to reduce any direct heat to the pieces.

Bake your doll for 15-20 minutes (take into account that these figures of temperature and time are the best for Sculpey's® "Living Doll", the type clay I use for my dolls; and generally the best for any other Sculpey® or Fimo® polymer clays). There are other clays whose suitable baking temperatures differ - Kato® Clay, for example, recommends 150ºc.

One important point I would like to emphasize is that I've met people who bake their smaller pieces in the microwave oven, putting them in a bowl full of water. Please don't microwave polymer clay! It is not a suitable substance for microwaves.

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