How to Make Shrinky Dinks at Home

What if I told you that you can make an awesome DIY shrinky dink in the comfort of your home? Yes, you heard that right! Shrinky dinks, the classic childhood craft that involves shrinking plastic sheets to create cool miniatures, are back in trend. Not only is it a fun activity to do with kids, but it’s also a way to unleash your creativity and make personalized trinkets and jewelry.

To start, you’ll need a sheet of Shrinky Dinks plastic that can be easily purchased online or at your local craft store. The plastic can be cut into any shape and size with scissors or a craft knife. Next, draw or print your desired design on the plastic sheet, using permanent markers, colored pencils, or even acrylic paint. Once you’re done, punch a hole in the plastic if you plan to hang it on a keychain or necklace. Finally, bake it in the oven according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and watch the magic happen as the plastic shrinks. Voila! Your custom-made shrinky dink is ready to be enjoyed.

Materials needed for making shrinky dinks

If you want to learn how to make shrinky dinks, the first thing you need is a list of materials that you will require. Here is a list of materials needed for making shrinky dinks:

1. Shrinky dink paper:

Shrinky dink paper is a special type of paper designed to shrink when heated. This paper is readily available in craft stores or online. The paper is available in different colours and shapes.

2. Printer:

You will need a printer to print out the designs or patterns that you want to shrink.

3. Scissors:

You will need scissors to cut out the designs or patterns you have printed out.

4. Pencils or markers:

You will need pencils or markers to draw your designs or patterns on the Shrinky dink paper.

5. Hole Puncher:

You will need a hole puncher to make holes in your designs. You will need this if you want to turn your Shrinky dinks into jewellery.

6. Oven:

You will need an oven to bake your Shrinky dinks. A conventional oven will work fine, and you don’t need a special type of oven to bake your shrinky dinks.

7. Baking tray:

You will need a baking tray to place your Shrinky dinks on before placing them in the oven.

8. Aluminium foil:

You will need aluminium foil to line the baking tray to prevent your Shrinky dinks from sticking to the tray.

9. Oven gloves:

You will need oven gloves to prevent burning your hands when removing the Shrinky dinks from the oven.

10. Sharpie pens:

You will need Sharpie pens to colour your designs or patterns after shrinking.

Now that you know the materials needed let us move on to the next step.

Materials You’ll Need:

To get started with making your very own shrinky dinks, you will need a few basic materials. These items are easy to find and can be purchased at your local craft store or online. Here are the things you’ll need:

1. Shrink Plastic

The most important material you’ll need is shrink plastic. It’s a special type of plastic that shrinks when heated in an oven. You can get shrink plastic in different sizes and colors depending on the design you want to create. Make sure you choose the right type of plastic for your needs. There are different brands of shrinky dink material available in the market. You can choose any according to your preference.

2. Images or Designs to Trace

To create your shrinky dinks, you’ll need some images or designs to trace. You can draw them yourself or print them out from the internet. Just make sure that they’re not too detailed or small as they might be hard to cut out.

3. Markers or Colored Pencils

You’ll need markers or colored pencils to color in your designs. You can use any color you want but make sure to use permanent markers so that the colors won’t smudge while baking.

4. Scissors or a Craft Knife

To cut out your designs, you’ll need a good pair of scissors or a craft knife. Make sure they’re sharp so that you can get clean cuts.

5. A Hole Puncher

If you want to turn your shrinky dinks into keychains or other hanging decorations, you’ll need to make a hole in them. A hole puncher will make this task quick and easy.

6. Baking Sheet or Aluminum Foil

You’ll need a baking sheet or aluminum foil to bake your shrinky dinks on. Make sure to use a flat surface that won’t warp in the oven.

7. Oven

To shrink your designs, you’ll need an oven. Make sure to preheat it to the right temperature before placing your shrinky dinks inside.

8. Oven Mitts

Since the oven will be hot, you’ll need oven mitts to handle the baking sheet once it’s out of the oven.

9. Parchment Paper

Using parchment paper will help prevent your shrinky dinks from sticking to the baking sheet or aluminum foil.

10. Cookie Cutters (Optional)

If you want to create perfectly shaped shrinky dinks, you can use cookie cutters to trace your designs onto the shrink plastic before cutting. This will ensure that all of your shrinky dinks are the same size and shape.

Materials Needed to Make a Shrinky Dink

1. Shrink Paper

The most important material you need to make a shrinky dink is the shrink paper, also known as shrink plastic or shrink film. It comes in a variety of brands, sizes, and colors. You can find it online, at craft stores, or office supply stores. The type of shrink paper you choose will depend on the project you are working on, and it should be compatible with your printer if you plan to print images on it.

2. Printer

If you want to print images on your shrink paper, you will need a printer. You can use an inkjet or a laser printer, but keep in mind that some brands of shrink paper are not compatible with certain types of printers. To avoid wasting your materials, always read the instructions and test print a small piece before printing your designs. It is also recommended to use the highest quality print settings and a clear resolution for the best results.

3. Sharpies or Permanent Markers

If you want to draw your designs by hand, you will need some sharpies or permanent markers. Make sure they have a fine tip and are waterproof and smudge-proof. You can use different colors and create intricate details, but avoid using metallic or glitter markers as they may not work well with the shrink paper. You can also use colored pencils or acrylic paint, but they may require more drying time and may not be as durable.

4. Scissors or Punches

Once you have printed or drawn your designs on the shrink paper, you will need to cut them out. You can use a pair of scissors or craft punches to create various shapes and sizes. Keep in mind that the size of your designs will shrink to about a third of their original size, so make sure to make them slightly larger than you want them to be. You can also punch holes in them if you want to use them as charms or pendants.

5. Oven, Toaster Oven, or Heat Gun

The final step is to shrink your designs. You can do this by using an oven, a toaster oven, or a heat gun. If you are using an oven or toaster oven, preheat it to around 325 degrees Fahrenheit and place your designs on a non-stick sheet or parchment paper. Keep a close eye on them as they will shrink and curl up within a few minutes. Use an oven mitt to remove them once they are flat again. If you are using a heat gun, hold it a few inches away from your designs and move it around to evenly heat them until they shrink and flatten.

Time to Shrink and Create!

And that’s it – you now know how to make your own shrinky dinks! We hope you had fun following these steps and creating your very own shrinky dink masterpieces. Don’t forget to use the colored pencils to create a detailed and vivid design. Thanks for reading and visiting us! We hope to see you again for more fun and creative art projects. Happy shrinking!