This is a reader-supported site. When you buy through links on this site, I may earn an affiliate commission. Thanks for your support! 🙂
No more searching for the right joint compound for paper mache clay!
This new recipe for paper mache clay doesn’t use PVA glue, so you can use any brand of pre-mixed drywall joint compound.
The original idea for using “home-made glue” in paper mache clay came from Rich, “The Ghoulish Cop.” Thanks, Rich!
I simplified Rich’s recipe so it’s now much easier. It only takes a few minutes to make in your kitchen, and it uses inexpensive ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
Why bother to make your own glue?
It’s starting to get really hard to find drywall joint compound brands that will work with the PVA glue that’s used in my original paper mache clay recipe. I’m really excited about this new recipe – I like it even better than the original recipe that I’ve been using for years. If you try it, please let us know what you think of it in the comment section below.
No-Glue Recipe for Paper Mache Clay
For the DIY glue/paste:
In a small saucepan, mix:
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 2 tablespoons white flour
Whisk together thoroughly to remove any lumps. Then add:
- 1 teaspoon corn starch
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 capful (about a teaspoon) of white vinegar.
Whisk again until well mixed. Put the pan on a burner set to Medium to Medium-High heat, and stir constantly until the mixture thickens. Then stir another minute until you start to see bubbles and the mixture comes together.
Put the mixture into a heat-proof container and allow to cool.
For the paper mache clay:
In a medium size bowl, mix:
- 1/2 cup wet toilet paper (24 grams dry, 110 grams wet – see video above)
- 1/2 cup pre-mixed drywall joint compound, any brand
- All of the ‘glue’ you made previously
When the paper has mixed in completely and there are no lumps, add:
- 1/2 cup corn starch, divided
Put about half of the corn starch into the bowl, and mix well. Then add the rest. If the paper mache clay starts to get too stiff for the motor on your mixer, or if it tries to ride up the beaters, you can finish mixing by hand with a spoon.
To make the paper mache clay the consistency you like, add:
- More corn starch, a little at a time.
When the mixture is too stiff to mix with a spoon, turn it onto a work table and knead by hand. When it’s very close to the way you want it, add:
- 1 capful (about 1 teaspoon) of mineral oil, baby oil, or linseed oil
Knead the clay some more to mix in the oil. Add more corn starch if needed.
Your new paper mache clay is now ready to use. Keep it in a plastic bag to keep it from drying out. If you can’t use it within a few days, store it in the refrigerator. You can use your new paper mache clay for almost any pattern or project on this site.
If you try this new recipe, be sure to let us know what you think of it. 🙂
Joni, do you recommend any specific things to seal the paper mache with?
I like the way the matte enamel from Rust-Oleum looks. I wouldn’t expect it to be waterproof or good for an outdoor sculpture, but it’s great for masks and indoor art.
How are we supposed to store this? I left it in a bucket over the weekend and it smells pretty stinky. Almost fermented.
Yes, that will happen. It has a lot of the same ingredients as traditional paper mache, so try to make just enough to use in a day, and apply it in a thin layer so it can dry quickly. That will keep yeasts and mold from getting a chance to grow. If you have some left over, put it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for a few days.
Oh Miss Jonni you have no idea how thrilled I was to come on to your website and find this video! I’ve been watching you for years and I’ve used your other recipes many times with fantastic results.
Here’s my dilemma, for sometime the only joint compound that I’m able to get my hands on is Wurth..and we all know how that ends ?
I was so hopeful, I thought I had it in the bucket but at the end it’s going all sticky on me. I added a bit more cornstarch, that didn’t work added a little bit more oil, nope. The only thing I had to do different was the oil. All I had was a bit of vegetable oil. I’m really hoping I didn’t ruin it because that was the last of my joint compound ?Can this be rescued?
When you say it was all sticky, do you mean more than the stickiness it needs to stay attached to the armature? Can you use apply a thin layer with a knife that’s been dipped in water to keep the pm clay from sticking to it?
Hi! 🙂 I would like to ask that if I’m planning to stick with the PVA Glue than what amount should I use for this receipt?
Thank you so much! 🙂
The original recipe that uses the PVA glue can be found here. Have fun! 🙂
Thank you so much! 🙂
Can it happen that the object we make becomes obsolete or changes and does not retain its properties forever, like a ceramic? Can I be afraid that it will “naturally” deteriorate after years?
Thank you in advance!:)
Thank you so much! 🙂
Can it happen that the object we make becomes obsolete or changes and does not retain its properties forever, like a ceramic? Can I be afraid that it will “naturally” deteriorate after years?
Thank you in advance!:)
I’ve had sculptures made with paper mache clay for over 15 years, and they haven’t changed at all. But I did seal them so they don’t absorb moisture from the air, and I live in a temperate climate. We also don’t have any type of bugs that like to come in the house to eat paper mache. So – the answer is ‘it depends.’ If you don’t live in the tropics, your sculptures should last for many years. They won’t last for thousands of years buried in the dirt, the way ceramics do, but if they’re used like normal sculptures in a normal home, they’ll be fine. 🙂
Hi Jonni!
If you’re not adding just a thin layer, do you suggest adding one thin layer at a time in order to dry, or will it dry slightly thicker as well?
Thanks!
The paper in the mixture likes to hang on to water, so it’s best to apply a thin coat. You might be able to get a thicker coat dry fast enough, but the only way to know is to try it. Every environment is different – the humidity in the air, how much the air is moving, et., all change how long paper mache will take to dry.
How much paper mache clay do you end up with using this recipe? Also, is this recipe good for making paper mache clay bowls? plaques?
You’ll get about 2 cups of paper mache clay, but you can double the recipe if you want to. It’s intended to be spread in a thin layer over an armature. If you make something that’s flat, without any support, it will probably warp when it dries. It’s a substitute for traditional paper mache.
Hello! I’m a big fan of your work and I am just trying out this new recipe, so far so good! My question to you is: when applying another coat of this paste onto a previous one so that we have multiple layers built upon one another, do you advise wetting the dry layer with something? So that the next layer adheres better? Or is it unnecessary? Thank you!
Hi Magdalena. Your second layer should stick without wetting the layer underneath. If you add quite a lot of cornstarch to make the material stiffer, then you might need to brush the first layer with some glue. Try spreading some on without the glue – you’ll be able to tell if it’s sticking or not.
Have fun! 🙂
I just found your site and am extremely excited to get into this! I love to sculpt but regular clay is less accessible and sometimes too heavy for what I need. Do you find the paper mache clay to be much lighter than regular or polymer clay or are they about the same?
Also could you tell us what it is about this recipe that you like better than the original? I would assume with more “food” ingredients it may not last as long?
Thank you so much for answering all our questions, I so appreciate this work you do to help us learn!
Hi Ilaina. The paper mache clay is used in a very thin layer over an armature, so it’s a little difficult to compare it to polymer clay. It’s a replacement for the traditional paper strips and paste, so the sculpting process might be different from what you’re used to. This new recipe doesn’t contain Elmer’s Glue-All, which won’t work with a lot of brands of drywall joint compound. It’s becoming difficult to find brands that will work together, but this recipe without glue takes care of that problem. Have fun experimenting with it! 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your expertise and this recipe! I used it for the first time over the weekend and am looking forward to playing some more. For my first project I made a sort of basket with an aluminum foil armature that has about 24 connection points (connected with masking tape before covering in the clay). At these points I’m seeing some cracks as the clay dries. I did my best to keep the layers 1/4 inch or less. I’m sure it’s user error as this is my first time but what might be happening here? And should I be able to cover with another layer to solidify things a bit more?
Hi Jessica. New paper mache should seal up the cracks. But it shouldn’t be cracking in the first place. Maybe it wasn’t wet enough to be sticky. That often happens with the Silky Smooth Air Dry Clay recipe, and we have to brush glue onto new areas to get it to stick. If newly applied clay doesn’t completely stick to clay that’s already been applied, the pieces will pull apart when they dry. Give it another try – I hope it works better next time. 🙂
I just made this clay recipe and it came out such a beautiful consistency. I have never sculpted with paper mache before but I am excited to use this clay to make some Christmas ornaments!
I’m glad you like it! Have fun. 🙂
Hi! I’m super excited to use your recipe! For my project, I need the surface to be super smooth. Is it an option to sand down the clay after it fully dries?
You can sand it, if you use a mask to keep the fine dust out of your lungs. But I never sand it – this is a lot easier. A dry paper-thin layer of premixed joint compound can be ‘sanded’ with a lightly damp sponge.
OOH perfect! Omg thank you SO much!
You’re welcome. 🙂
I am making a mushroom cap hat and I am so glad to find your recipes! I constructed the base with cardboard and did some rough traditional paper mache, but I’m excited to layer on some of this clay to get some nice grooves and details <3
That sounds like a great project – have fun with it! 🙂
Jonni!
Do you now prefer your “no PVA glue needed” clay recipe over the tried n true “silky smooth” recipe?
Have you ever tried calcium carbonate clay recipes? I have and find them beautiful but hard to sculpt so I returned to your silky smooth.
As always, thank you for your generous advice and artful creations.
Hi Duffy. I like the no-glue recipe because it’s getting really hard to find joint compound that works with Elmer’s glue. I don’t think it’s quite as smooth as the silky-smooth recipe, but it’s close. I have a recipe that uses calcium carbonate, but I haven’t used that recipe for a long time, and I can’t remember what it felt like when I was using it. If there’s another calcium carbonate clay recipe on the internet, I haven’t tried it.
I just found your site and learned about your paper meche clay. I find it extremely exciting and interesting to learn a new way to paper mache.
I am trying to make my daughters and daughters in laws homemade vases with homemade flowers for Christmas. I have made 5 vases out of paper mache (3 layers of newspaper and elmers glue all and water mixture so far). I would like to make sure they are much more sturdy and smooth before i start the painting process. Is it ok to put paper mache clay over the top of my vases to strengthen and smooth them or will moisture become trapped between the layers and will the clay stick to the paper mache I’ve already done.. I am questioning it because I heard you say to use it instead of the paper method
Hi Julie. Paper mache clay will stick to dry paper strips and paste, and to dry paper mache clay. Use thin layers, though. It is important to not trap moisture. I try to keep my layers at 1/8″ or less.
Hey there!
Thank you so much for the updated recipe, I’m so excited to start my project! In your experience, how long would you say it takes this new recipe to dry?
It really depends on how thickly it’s applied and the temperature and humidity in the room. Give it at least overnight, but two days would be safer. You never want to paint paper mache until it’s completely dry all the way through.
Hi Jonni,
I just finished putting the wolf mask together. Will this compound stick to the exposed tape ?
It works fine over areas that have a lot of cardboard exposed. If there’s an area where it’s mostly tape, you might want to put some masking tape over it first. The paper mache clay sticks to masking tape. I hope you’re having fun with it. 🙂
Do I have to seal the clay before painting, after painting, or not at all if it isn’t going to go outside?
I enjoy your tutorials!!
I recommend sealing it, by painting it and then applying a coat of artist’s varnish. That will keep it from absorbing moisture from the air. Have fun!
Hi, could I please ask how long it keeps for? Thank you
You can keep it for a day or two in the bowl if you cover it, but it is a form of paper mache. That means it will attract mold and yeast if you keep it out too long. You can save it longer if you put it in the fridge, or keep it in the freezer. Or just make smaller batches that you can use up in a day or two.
Can you use recycled cardboard instead of toilet paper, if you get it to the same amount for this recipe? I have so many cardboard cup holders from Dunkin Donuts and would love to repurpose them into something productive like a paper mache clay, if possible! Thank you.
Hi Valerie. I haven’t tried it myself, but many readers have said it works with the original paper mache clay – and that should mean that it would work with this one, too. You’ll need to soak the cardboard longer to make it fall apart into individual fibers. If the cup holders have any kind of sealer on them, it might not work – but it’s worth a try. 🙂
Hi there! I’m completely new to paper clay and im excited to try a good recipe that makes a good smooth clay! I wouldve paper clay sooner but im not a fan of the crumble texture and I dont like using glue so im super excited to try a recipe that doesn’t use glue and is praised by the paperclay master herself!!
Have fun! 🙂