捏製人形時，對初學者最難決定的，就是應該選用那種材料，用軟陶好，還是紙黏土好。當然，軟陶質地細緻，紙黏土纖維滿多，感覺較為粗糙。其實，現今已有許多紙黏土的代替品，如超輕黏土、石粉土…等，質感亦極為細緻，和軟陶不分軒輊，甚至有如瓷器的感覺，令人愛不釋手。

        對初入門者的建議，由於捏製技術相近，可以到技術成熟後，再依個人喜好來選使用的材料。剛開始建議使用超輕黏土或石粉土，可以練習以色土調色，或以油彩來上色，如不介意再添購熱風槍或是烘箱，也可以試用軟陶作為初學用的材料，價格稍高，但久久性質仍不改變。

        Choosing right working medium is an important issue for beginners on modeling doll. Polymer clay and paper clay are the most popular ones now. For years ago, doll artist was not satisfied with fibers on the surface of paper clay. But, there are many substitutions for paper clay now. And, also there are improvements on paper clay. There is no big difference between paper clay doll and polymer clay doll. Some paper clay doll looks like lovely china one now a days.

        Actually, sculpture is nothing about medium used. Beginners may use paper clay for doll modeling. But, after you familiar with color change by mixture of color clays, you may use any kind of clay you wish. If you have heat gun or oven, you may try polymer clay. Polymer clay is more expensive, but you may try one piece for a very long time without any significant change in material.