I've been practising (and tis getting expensive :-) ) with various cutters, thickness of clay and engraving tools, just trying to improve my technique with silver clay.

Most articles I've read seem to suggest that a thickness of 2mm is fine but I felt that was to thin for fingerprints as by the time you press your imprint into it, the clay spreads out to thinly - then again 3mm seems to thick to try and work with - it just feels awkward, so I'm thinking about trying 2.5 mm.

Just wondering what thickness other people use? and with clay being so expensive what's the next best medium to practise with?