DIY Shrinky Dinks

Shrinky Dinks® have been a favorite arts and crafts activity for over 50 years — because they work, they’re fun, and kids love them. For over 50 years, shrink art has been our signature offering. At Shrinky Dinks®, our mission is to inspire creativity https://shrinky-dink.com/ and imagination in children of all ages through fun arts and crafts projects the entire family can enjoy.

Options For DIY Shrinky dink Plastic

• Heat the plastic until it flattens, rather than heating for a set amount of time.
• Shrinky Dinks are a fantastic craft for children, but a few safety tips go a long way.
• Either send it to me by email or share it on my facebook page– I’d love to add it to my Shrinky Dinks Fun Pinterest Board!
• If any Shrinky Dinks remained curled take a flat object (we used a craft rolling pin or you could use a spatula) to flatten them out.
• Sadly, my new Epson doesn’t have a flat feeder, so I can’t use this anymore.
• Use colored pencils on the rough side of the film.

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.

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Minted Strawberry created these ornate spiderweb earrings inspired by shrinky dinks. Both adults and children alike will love these colorful creations! Want to wear your favorite Polaroid photos around your neck? How About Orange has created some fun phrase shrinky dink pendants – how cool are they? Haus Panther has actually created this DIY wraparound cat ring using the material – So good! Handmade Charlotte posted this clever and crafty tutorial which is perfect for decorating the home with in the winter months.

Types of Shrink Film You Can Cut with Your Cricut

The designs are only 1cm tall so fit my rings perfectly. If you’re using the frosted type, remember to decorate the rough (frosted) side. You’re looking for large sheets of it, not pre-cut shapes.

These shrink plastic sheets significantly reduce in size when heated, making them perfect for detailed designs. 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.

The plastic sheets used for Shrinky Dinks are often thin and translucent, allowing for easy tracing of designs and coloring with markers or colored pencils. With a bit of creativity, you can incorporate Shrinky Dinks into scrapbooking, card-making, or even as fun additions to classroom projects. In addition to practical items, you can also create unique art pieces or ornaments for hanging. Remember to use oven mitts when taking the tray out of the toaster oven, as it can get very hot, just like a conventional oven. The same rules apply — place your artwork on parchment paper on the baking tray and ensure there is enough space between each piece for airflow. Preheat your toaster oven to the recommended temperature of 325°F (163°C) and keep a close eye on your project.

(Some people who are really concerned, bake them in a toaster oven outside.) Supposedly you can color these, from the backs (so use clear plastic, obviously), with chalk or colored pencils, if you lightly sand them with fine-grit sandpaper first to give the chalk/pencil something to grip. (I’m told you can also make them into shapes (like rings), but I’ve not tried this.) They’re hot, though, so don’t just pick them up with your fingers. First, I cut the sides off of the cups/boxes, so I was working with just flat pieces.

Notes on Coloring the Pieces (Before Baking)

If you need more inspiration for creating the shrinky dink items, you can check out the ideas mentioned above. But now you can give it a makeover with the fun shrinky-dink ideas and create pieces you’ll love flaunting to your friends and family. Shrinky dinks are a favorite childhood craft of the people who were born in the 70s. Whether it is a weekend meal or a fancy dinner party with your family, napkin rings are perfect for your table setting.

Longer, narrow pieces are more likely to curl up and stick to themselves. However, sometimes you’ll notice the smell of “hot plastic” while your projects are baking. These bookmarks are also a nice addition if you’re giving someone a book for a gift. Bookmarks might be one of the easiest Shrinky Dink projects, but it might be one of the most fun, especially for children! With photos printed on shrink-plastic sheets, you can make keychains of favorite family vacation photos, or a whole charm bracelet full of family portraits.