<p>Much simpler if you do it before.</p>

<p>You will always deal with some shrinkage with polymer clay, so just make sure that the hole is a bit larger than you will need it.  If you are really worried, try a couple of samples and measure how much they will shrink.  But it is fairly minimal, so unless you need an exact fit, it is nothing that major.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-15T00:55:34.223Z
2017-03-15T00:55:34.223Z
magerber
<p>I want to make beads out of polymer clay. Is it a better idea to form the holes before baking, or drill them after? (I'm concerned about weird shrinkage or other effects around the hole during baking, affecting the size.)</p>

<polymer-clay>
Should the hole in polymer clay beads be made before or after baking?
Erica
# Should the hole in polymer clay beads be made before or after baking?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-03-15)

I want to make beads out of polymer clay. Is it a better idea to form the holes before baking, or drill them after? (I'm concerned about weird shrinkage or other effects around the hole during baking, affecting the size.)

**Tags:** polymer-clay


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-03-15. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

Much simpler if you do it before.

You will always deal with some shrinkage with polymer clay, so just make sure that the hole is a bit larger than you will need it. If you are really worried, try a couple of samples and measure how much they will shrink. But it is fairly minimal, so unless you need an exact fit, it is nothing that major.


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