DIY Polymer Clay Shape Templates Using Canva

This post is all about using Canva to make your own polymer clay shape templates.

I’ll by the first to admit that shopping for new polymer clay tools is fun, especially all those fun shape cutters. But if you’re anything like me, you’ll end up with a drawer full of cutters that you rarely use and that’s just a poor use of resources.

You can save yourself money (buy more clay instead!) by making your own paper templates. You could draw your own but if you suck at drawing—like me—then you may want to go another route.

And one of those routes is Canva.

I love Canva. I use it often in my business but only recently did I clue into the fact that I could use it to create shape templates as well.

If you don’t already know, Canva is a graphic design platform that is easy to use and has both free and paid account options. I have a paid account but there are still plenty of design tools available with a free account so there’s no need to shell out any $$.

So, head on over to Canva and login, or set up an account, and let’s make some DIY shape templates!

Tools & Materials

• Canva account
• Printer
• Card stock
• Scissors
• Craft knife
• Small cutting mat

Directions for DIY Polymer Clay Shape Templates

Open up Canva and select the Flyer or Newsletter design for an 8.5” x 11” sheet.

If desired, you can create guidelines to keep your template sheet orderly. In the upper left corner, tap File > Settings > Add guides. From there you can set margins and guidelines for spacing.

From the menu on the left, select Elements. For basic shapes select Shapes and choose what you’d like to add to your template sheet. Use the cursor on the corner and sides of the shape and drag it to the size you’d like. 

Most of the shapes under this heading can be manipulated somewhat. Circles can be made oval. Arches can become longer and thinner or short and wide. Stretch a square into a rectangle, etc.

Drag your shape onto the spot on the page you’d like it. Change the color to white. Turn on the boarder and make it 1 pixel — the default it 4 which is wider than necessary.

Head to the search bar in Elements and begin looking for other shapes you’d like. Canva has a vast library. I have a paid account, so have access to everything, but a free account should serve you well for this purpose.

If the graphics you’d like have wide lines that can’t be made thinner or are a solid color, I change the color to a light gray. 

Create Mirror Images

This may seem unnecessary because a paper template can simply be flipped over to create a mirror image but I prefer to keep the ink side off my clay just in case the ink transfers.

To create a mirror image first make a duplicate of the image you want to mirror. Drag it to a new spot on the page and tap Flip on the tool bar. Next choose Flip horizontal.

Printing & Cutting

Once you’ve filled your page with shapes download the design as a PDF Print.

Print on card stock and cut the template sheet apart with scissors leaving boarders around the shapes.

Cut the shapes out using a craft knife with a sharp blade and a small cutting mat. For straight lines use a ruler to guide the craft knife. For all other lines keep the knife in contact with the template at all times. Lifting the knife from the paper will likely result in uneven cuts. 

Your posture should remain in the same position while you’re cutting. Rather than moving yourself around the template, rotate the template itself at you cut. I prefer to rotate the cutting mat as I cut. You could also pick up the paper with the blade stuck in and rotate that way. This makes for more precise cutting and less uncomfortable contortion on your part.

Using the Polymer Clay Shape Templates

Lay the paper template on the clay to be cut and lightly run a finger over to make it stick to the clay. Holding your craft knife straight up and down run the blade around the paper template. Use a ruler for straight lines and for all other lines, cut in one continuous motion without lifting the blade from the clay.

Smooth any edges that need it with a fingertip before curing to minimize sanding afterwards.

Notes

I’ve found that some measurements onscreen aren’t accurate and the templates print a little smaller than what I’d planned for. If you are wanting an exact size, you may need to do a little experimenting to see what works best.

Regular weight printer paper could be used but the templates won’t last as long. If I was doing a one off project I’d probably save my card stock and use regular printer paper. 

You now know how to use Canva to make your own polymer clay shape templates.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, I’m happy to hear from you. Drop a comment below and let me know if you found this useful!