Clay and Wooden Fridge Magnets: How They're Made

n Part 1 of our fridge magnet guide, we looked at flexible magnets, resin finishes and metal manufacturing methods.

In this second part, we’re covering clay and wood. Both materials are commonly used for decorative fridge magnets, but they’re quite different from metal in terms of appearance, weight and production.

Clay works well for handmade characters and small 3D designs, while wood is often used for lightweight souvenirs with printed or engraved artwork.

Let’s look at how each type is made and what to consider when choosing a material.

Clay Fridge Magnets

Materials: 1. Soft clay, polymer clay – requires baking in an oven to set.
2. Stone plastic clay, air-drying clay – has a texture similar to soft clay but does not require baking.
3. Resin clay / ultra-light clay: lighter in weight, can be air-dried or heated in a microwave for setting.
4. Acrylic paints, tools (shaping knives, rolling pins, molds), magnets, strong glue.
Production method
Shaping: Use hands or tools to shape, roll, and carve the clay into the desired shape (flat or three-dimensional).
(Optionally) Combine/ Add details: You can combine different colored clays or add small components.

Setting:
1）Soft clay: Place in an oven and bake according to the instructions at the specified temperature and time to harden.
2）Stone plastic / resin / ultra-light clay: Place in a ventilated area to air-dry and harden (a longer time is required).
3）Polishing: After drying or baking, use sandpaper to polish the surface to make it smooth (especially for stone plastic clay).
4）Painting: Use acrylic paints to draw patterns or color the hardened clay surface.
5）(Optionally) Glossing: Apply varnish or matte oil to protect the color and increase the texture.

Advantages: The design freedom is extremely high, allowing for the creation of unique three-dimensional works with a strong handcrafted feel and high artistic value. Different clays have different textures and properties (for example, stone plastic clay can be polished to have a stone-like texture).
Disadvantages: The production efficiency is low for manual work, making it unsuitable for large-scale production; it requires a certain foundation in art and manual skills; drying or baking takes time; the finished product may be heavy (especially if it is solid); the adhesion strength of magnetic iron needs to be noted.
Magnetic force: It depends on the size and strength of the magnetic iron being attached.

wooden fridge magnet

Wooden fridge magnets are often used for tourist souvenirs, local landmarks and simple promotional gifts. Their natural appearance makes them a good choice for designs that don’t need a heavy metal finish.

Materials and Production

Wooden magnets can be made from different types of wood or suitable engineered wood materials.

The shapes are cut according to the design, often using laser cutting or CNC equipment for commercial production. The edges are then sanded and finished to remove rough areas.

Logos, illustrations and lettering can be added through printing, laser engraving or painting. Some designs keep the natural wood grain visible, while others use a colored finish.

A protective coating may be applied before the magnet is attached to the back.

Advantages and Limitations

Wooden magnets are generally lightweight and work well for flat designs, engraved logos and souvenir illustrations.

However, natural wood can vary in grain and color. Thickness, surface finish and moisture resistance should be considered when planning a larger order.

For designs requiring deep 3D relief, intricate metal details or antique plating, a metal fridge magnet may be a more suitable option.

Which Fridge Magnet Material Should You choose?

Clay, wood and metal each have their own advantages.

For handmade decorations, clay offers flexibility. Wood is a good option for lightweight souvenirs and designs with a natural finish.

If you’re looking for detailed buildings, landmarks, raised lettering or antique metal effects, zinc alloy die casting is worth considering.

At Yuehui Gifts, we specialize in custom metal fridge magnets for souvenir shops, brands and promotional gift distributors.

You can explore our Custom Fridge Magnets or read Part 1 of this guide for more information about metal, resin and flexible magnet manufacturing.