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Secure your shrinky dink with a skewer or tweezers on a heat proof surface like a ceramic tile or craft mat, and apply heat with your heat gun. Even archival inks can smudge when wet, so make sure you are not smudging areas you have already coloured with your hand as you work on other sections. Start by securing your template on a solid surface – we are using the ceramic tile we use with our heat gun – and attaching the shrink plastic sheet on top of it. We are using the template created by Anne Oliver for her free heart embroidery design that we have for you on Gathered. If it still is not flat, hear it up again and place a ceramic tile or other flat heat-proof object on top of it while it cools.
More Shrinky Dink Templates
Just make sure to use permanent markers or colored pencils that are suitable for use on plastics for best results. Remove them from the oven once they have flattened out again and let them cool completely before handling. Bake for 1-3 minutes, or until the plastic has shrunk and flattened out again. Once they flatten out again, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely.
They are suppose to curl and then fully uncurl as they bake. You can also use acrylic paint pens or colored pencils. You want to see them curl and then fully uncurl, that’s when they are done. Bake at 325°F for 1-2 minutes, watching the pieces as they bake on parchment paper. You want to be able to watch the pieces bake as they will curl, and then uncurl when they are done baking.
And check out this fun printable Christmas scavenger hunt for kids to do! And for more think kids can make, check out these other Christmas gifts that kids can make themselves. For more ornament ideas, check out twig star ornaments, superhero ornaments, and clear glass ornament ideas. This cute little cat Christmas ornament is one of my favorite patterns. For more Free Shrinky Dink Templates (Printable) check this out.
DIY Shrinky Dink Valentine’s Day Pins
Cut the flat parts of the plastic out of your container (or grab your sheet of store-bought plastic). Once you have selected your shrinky dink plastic and medium, follow these shrinky dink instructions. Let the kids make any designs they wish and then cut them into shapes for them after. I stink at freehand cutting, but if you are creative with that or have some large punches, you can cut out your own shapes as I did here. It’s so much fun to watch recycled plastics shrink to a fraction of the original size and show the bright colors of what you created. For more special day ideas, check out these home daycare crafts and activities for special holidays can help make your celebrations fun!
DIY Shrinky Dinks Dog Tags
- Please hang out with me awhile and check it out!
- Opt for non-toxic, odor-free materials to ensure safety, especially for projects involving children.
- Making homemade Shrinky Dinks with cups allows both children and adults to relive the joy of shrinking plastic creations in the oven.
- If you want to draw directly on a crystal clear shrink plastic sheet, you need a permanent markers like a archival ink pen.
When using a microwave, place the Shrinky Dink on a microwave-safe surface or container. When heated, Shrinky Dinks reduce in size—about 7 times smaller—and thicken, which enhances their durability and makes them perfect for various creative projects. Gather shrinky dink plastic sheets your materials, unleash your creativity, and experience the joy of crafting with Shrinky Dinks. Whether you’re a crafting novice or an experienced DIYer, this project can yield satisfying results with just a few steps.
Pro Tips for Perfect Shrinks: Avoiding Crafting Calamities
The sheets are printer compatible so you can easily print out your desired pattern or photo and create your own shrink art freestyle. The 2 kinds of shrink paper included in this kit – white and semitransparent – are perfect for creating unique and meaningful crafts. Little did I know, I was playing with one of the most popular crafting tools of the 80s and 90s – Shrinky Dink paper. I remember being a kid and spending hours creating colorful and unique designs on small sheets of plastic that would magically shrink in the oven. She’s a coach and cartoonist passionate about helping people overcome perfectionism and shame to build authentic, joyful lives.
Use low-tack painter’s tape to hold fragile shapes flat on the parchment during shrinking. Bake the charm until it flattens, then apply a UV resin dome for glass-like depth and scratch resistance. Choose high-resolution images cropped to simple shapes so faces remain clear. Bake, flatten, and seal the piece before slipping a split ring through the hole. I remember some of the best times we’re making crafts with my friends and Shrinky Dinks were one of our favorite things to do. If they have a slight curl after baking, you can press them flat while they are still hot with a heavy object like a book.
I mean, who knew that crafting could be this fun and easy? Plus, they’re compatible with inkjet printers so you can easily print out your favorite patterns or photos. These sheets are the perfect addition to my collection. Trust me, this is the perfect gift for any crafty mom or grandma out there! I have always struggled with finding the perfect gift for my mother-in-law on Mother’s Day.
It is not possible to cut the images after it has baked; they will be too thick. Many printers allow you to feed straight from the back so the thick paper is not forced to curl inside the machine. Be sure to make the image large enough; it will reduce by more than 50 percent after it has been baked. Remember that you will have to cut your image out, so stay away from small circles and intricate corners. Create images on your computer.
We cut out squares and heart shapes from the plastic container to decorate. You might remember making shrinky dinks as a kid. Beware- if you read this you will start compulsively checking plastic containers to see if they can be made into homemade shrinky dinks!
Trace your favorite action hero from books & comics to make custom charms. Crayons and colored pencils stay more true to their unshrunken colors. Sadly, my new Epson doesn’t have a flat feeder, so I can’t use this anymore. Sanded or Frosted Shrink Plastic (like Shrinky Dink Ruff n Ready) has a rough side that holds colored pencils and even crayon.
