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Don’t freak out if your DIY Shrinky dinks start to curl up. Also remember that the plastic will shrink up to about 1/3 the original size of the designs. You’ll need a good pair of scissors to cut out your shapes and you can https://shrinky-dink.com/ also use a hole puncher if you’re planning to make your DIY shrinky dinks into charms. When using recycled #6 plastic, you’re likely to only find smooth surfaces. The kits we used to use as kids came with rough sided plastic that you could easily decorate with the included colored pencils. To make this project, you’ll need to gather together just a few supplies.
It’s a fun and creative project that results in unique, lightweight statement earrings that are perfect for adding a pop of colour to any outfit. While Shrinky Dinks shrink and flatten when heated, you can create 3D shapes by bending and molding the plastic while it is still warm. The shrink art will curl and then will then go flat when ready. Watch as the plastic shrinks and curls up, then flattens out as it hardens.
- “It’s certainly a material people who grew up in the ’70s and ’80s remember with nostalgia, but always with that kitschy association,” says Kathy Sheldon, a crafts book author.
- You can use a toaster oven or a conventional oven to bake your Shrinky Dink.
- Permanent markers, colored pencils, and even certain inks work well for adding vivid designs to your Shrinky Dinks before they are baked.
The crafting session itself reinforces measurement, heat transfer, and material science concepts in a playful context. Kids love adding glitter paint for sparkle that survives the oven. You can also add reflective tape on the back to boost visibility at night. Hand‑drawn Shrinky Dinks are the simplest way to start, and the key is sizing and surface. You could also do album covers for favorite musical artists 🙂
The templates
When I did this as a kid we would use sandpaper to roughen up the plastic, and then coloured pencils worked like a charm. Tiny designs have more possibility of the sides touching each other when they curl up in the heat. The reason I recommended not making your designs too small is because of this curling.
Materials List
Both of these types of plastic are readily available and easy to work with, making them ideal for crafting. While kits provide a solid foundation, experimenting with additional tools like embossing powders or textured stamps can elevate projects once confidence grows. Tools like the hole puncher add versatility, allowing for keychains or necklace pendants. Practical tips include preheating the oven to 325°F (160°C) before shrinking and using permanent markers or acrylic paint for best results.
Why Use Printable Shrinky Dink Templates?
The Yncotte kit stands out by including 15 printable shrinky dink sheets plus key rings and earring accessories, offering a complete crafting experience without needing to source extras. The quality of the printable surface ensures colors remain vivid, making it an ideal choice for DIY enthusiasts seeking personalized and durable plastic crafts. The frosted side is optimal for printing vibrant images, photos, or custom artwork, enabling complete creative freedom without hand-drawing limitations. Save scraps and cut them into new shapes for future projects. So grab your colored pencils, preheat that oven, and let your imagination shrink—and shine!
All you need to do now is add and final details, like a keychain ring, string or chain. Line a cookie sheet with some oven-proof parchment paper or foil. I suggest using a toaster oven as it’s quicker to heat up and you won’t use as much electricity! You will want to heat your Shrinky Dink design in an oven or toaster oven.
Or for more outdoor themed patterns check out these 24 Free Printable Spring Shrinky Dink Patterns. If you want larger items, you can print the images out and blow them up on a copier, then trace them. Just print them out and lay them under your plastic to trace onto your shrink art. For more information, check out the Ultimate Shrinky Dink Instructions here. You may also want to take a toaster oven outside to avoid fumes inside, or preheat the grill and shrink them in there. Bake at 350 for about 5 minutes or until your items are flat.
We adore these DIY cacti shrinky dinks, especially how you can turn them into pendants to adorn your most favorite necklaces. She has created these DIY pet tags using shrink plastic. This time, she’s created these Valentine heart pins! Trust us, there’s sure to be several projects below that you’ll want to sink your teeth into!
You can also lightly grease the parchment paper for added protection. Once the designs have shrunk and flattened, remove the baking sheet from the oven using oven mitts and let the Shrinky Dinks cool completely before handling. Simply cut them into tag shapes or card fronts, and add a string or adhesive. If they are warped, you can quickly flatten them while they are still warm. If your Shrinky Dinks curl up during baking, you can use a spatula or a flat object to gently press them down while they are still warm. While colored pencils and permanent markers work well for Shrinky Dinks, you can also use acrylic paint, sharpies, or other art supplies to create your designs.
With the help of these buttons, you can add personality to your clothes and enhance their look. And if you’re bored out of one design, you can even create more and add it to your jewelry collection. Shrinky dink necklaces can be used as a statement piece for an event or as everyday wear to add a touch of personality to your accessories. Draw whatever you want on the shrinkable plastic with permanent markers and put it in the microwave to allow it to shrink down. The only hard work you will have to do is in finding what type of image you want on the pin. Today, there are 300 Shrinky Dinks kits sold in 42 countries, says Morris, and a children’s Shrinky Dinks oven, made by Big Time Toys of Nashville, Tenn., is planned.