DIY Craft Shrinky Dinks KID FRIENDLY! Draw and bake to create!

I created a marble composition notebook too. It’s a fun choice for back-to-school workshops as it is so easy to install and comes in fun colors. I decided that keychains are the perfect back to school craft so that’s what I did! The plastic will twist and turn all different ways but once you’ve properly melted it all, it should lay mostly flat.

What Tools and Materials Do You Need to Make Shrinky Dinks?

The Fine-Point Blade is already selected so I left that in place. Before loading the cutting mat into the Cricut, select the correct cut setting. Make sure the correct printer is selected, the correct number of copies you wish to print are entered, and the “Add Bleed” setting is turned off.

If they’re not completely flat against the baking sheet, take a spatula and press down on them while they’re still warm. After about a minute your heart will start racing as your handi-work starts to shrivel up and look totally warped. Preheat your oven to 350ºF and place your creations on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil, a few inches apart. Remember that when you shrink them the colors will intensify and any “mistakes” tend to magically disappear – so don’t sweat the small stuff.

Cutting Out Shrinky Dinks

• – Shrinky Dink paper can be cut into custom shapes before baking, allowing you to create unique and intricate designs for your projects.
• By creating your own, you will save money, as well as being able to create an item that can be used by anyone.
• Change the color of the circle to match the outer layer of the initial, then move the circle to a point on the initial where you’d like to attach the letter to the keyring.
• So check the plastic for a #6 in the recycling arrows.

Click the “X” in the upper right of the window after selecting all the openings you wish to close. When choosing colors for shrink plastics, be sure to choose a very pale color. Once they are both selected, click “Flatten” on the lower right menu to turn the selection into a Print Then Cut group!

Why Shrinky Dinks Are Perfect for Summer

These markers come in a wide range of colors and are known for their durability and color saturation. Shrinky Dinks have been a beloved craft activity for decades, allowing people of all ages to create fun and unique designs that shrink down to a fraction of their original size. If you don’t see it, check your spam folder too. I respect your privacy and the law, and won’t share or sell your email address. To finish them off as flowers, start by twisting the end of a chenille stem and poking it through the hole in the center of a flower. I stopped it before it was fully done while the petals were still a bit curled.

If you’re using a baking sheet/cookie sheet, you might want to cover it with foil or parchment paper before baking. The parchment will keep them flat while they bake. Lay your cut-out pieces face down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The plastic sheets shrink to nearly one third of their original size while keeping all the original colors and designs intact.

Clear plastic containers can be coloured on using permanent markers or coloured pencils, while frosted plastic offers a different aesthetic. Opt for containers that offer a larger, flatter canvas for your Shrinky Dinks. Some containers, such as those shrinky dink art for berries or sushi, may have limited flat plastic, making it challenging to draw or trace designs. When choosing a plastic container to make shrinky dinks, it’s important to select one that is safe and will produce the desired results.

This works fine if you are a paper crafter who can stamp with archival inks, or you have a great selection of permanent coloured pens, but your average crafter does not. On top of creating perfect personalised embellishments, you’ll also discover that the mysterious shrinking process provokes childlike delight every time, whilst producing elegant and sophisticated results! There are lots of ways to shape and add designs to shrink plastic, including die-cutting, hand-drawing and stamping. If you get a sheet without any texture, you can either rough it with sandpaper to let you colour with pencils, or use permanent markers to apply colour to the clear, smooth surface. Our team independently selects products featured in our editorial content. Please hang out with me awhile and check it out!

In addition to awesome project inspiration, we share shopping links to some of our favorite affiliate partners. Here are my little Cacti that I created but completely forgot to punch the hole in the top. Here are some pics of the fun designs that we created for your inspiration! We created earrings, key chains, charm bracelets, and magnets. Now it’s time to create your various Shrink Dink Master Pieces!