Shrinky Dink Art: The Hot Pot Method

Shrinky Dinks are sheets of polystyrene plastic that can be decorated and shrunk down to a third of their original size using heat. They were invented in the 1980s and gained popularity as a children's craft. They can be used to make jewellery, keychains, pins, charms, and other craft projects. While they are often baked in a conventional oven, it is possible to use a CrockPot or hot pot to shrink them.

What are shrinky dinks?

Shrinky Dinks are a brand of arts-and-crafts plastic sheets that people use to create designs. They were especially popular with children in the 1980s. Shrinky Dinks are still sold by many major retailers and online commerce sites. You can use them to create colourful art or even jewellery.

The basic idea is that you decorate a piece of polystyrene (plastic) and then bake it so it scales down in size. The final piece will be smaller, thicker, and more heavily pigmented. They are made of polystyrene, a type of plastic.

The process of shrinking the dinks begins with heating them to a certain temperature, causing them to expand and then contract repeatedly. This contraction and expansion cause them to shrink or expand in size by about 30%. Once shrunk, they can be sealed in an airtight container for future use or sold on the open market.

You can draw, trace, or copy an image onto a Shrinky Dinks plastic sheet. Use coloured pencils, markers, and ink on Shrinky Dinks. Use the coloured pencil on the rough side of the sheets, and use Sharpie or permanent marker on the smooth side. Some Shrinky Dinks come pre-cut and with designs already outlined on them, and others will just be the plastic sheets.

You can cut a design or punch holes in the plastic. You may want to add decorative edges to the plastic, cut out your design, or punch holes in it to make it into a necklace or charms for a bracelet. Use paper punches if you want holes in the plastic. You might want holes if you are making jewellery or just for decoration. Punch any holes before you bake the Shrinky Dinks.

How to make shrinky dinks

Shrinky Dinks are thin, flexible sheets of polystyrene plastic that can be decorated and shrunk down in size using heat. They were invented in 1973 and reached peak popularity in the 1980s. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make your own Shrinky Dinks:

Step 1: Gather your materials

You will need Shrinky Dinks plastic sheets, colouring tools such as coloured pencils, markers, or ink, scissors, and a baking tray. You can purchase Shrinky Dinks from craft stores or online retailers, or make your own using recycled plastic (#6 plastic).

Step 2: Create your design

Draw, trace, or copy an image onto the Shrinky Dinks plastic sheet. You can use coloured pencils on the rough side of the sheets and Sharpies or permanent markers on the smooth side. Avoid oily or waxy substances like crayons or oil paint, as they will melt at high temperatures. Cut out your design and punch holes in the plastic if you want to turn it into a necklace or charm.

Step 3: Prepare your baking tray

Line a cookie sheet tray with non-stick aluminium foil or baking paper. Alternatively, you can create a mock tray by folding aluminium foil. Place the Shrinky Dink cut-out designs on the tray, leaving space between them to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Bake your Shrinky Dinks

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius). Place the tray with the Shrinky Dinks inside the oven and bake for 1 to 3 minutes. The Shrinky Dinks will initially curl up, but they will flatten back out. Once they are flat, bake for an additional 30 seconds.

Step 5: Remove from the oven and cool

Use potholders to remove the tray from the oven, as it will be hot. You can flatten your Shrinky Dinks further by pressing them gently with a piece of folded paper, but this is optional. Allow the Shrinky Dinks to cool for a few minutes before handling. The finished piece will be about a third of its original size and nine times thicker. The colours will be brighter and more intense.

Best shrinky dink kits and papers

Shrinky Dinks are a fun craft project for all ages. You can buy pre-made kits or the plastic sheets separately. Here are some of the best kits and papers available:

Kits:

• Shrinky Dinks Kit for Kids: This kit comes in Princess, Barbie, and Mickey Mouse themes and is perfect for younger crafters.
• Shrink Art Jewelry Kit: This kit, from Kids Made Modern, is great for older children.
• Shrinky Dinks Fantasy Jewelry Kit: With this kit, you can make fantasy charms, necklaces, and earrings, and hang them from a tree-shaped holder.
• Shrinky Dinks 3D Butterfly Lights: This kit lets you create a butterfly habitat that lights up your bedroom!

Papers:

• Printable Shrink Plastic Sheets: These semi-transparent sheets can be used with inkjet printers.
• Printable Shrink Plastic Kit: This kit includes the same type of inkjet-compatible paper as above, but it also comes with jewellery and keychain-making supplies.
• Auihiay 20 Pieces Shrink Papers: This pack includes 20 sanded shrink plastic sheets, great for creative DIY crafts.
• Xmfdty Shrink Plastic Sheets: This pack contains 11.4'' x 8'' large-size shrink paper sheets.

Can you use Sharpie on shrinky dinks?

Yes, you can use Sharpies on Shrinky Dinks. In fact, Sharpies are one of the most recommended markers for Shrinky Dinks.

Shrinky Dinks are craft-friendly shrinkable plastic sheets that you can colour with permanent markers, colour pencils, and acrylic paints. After completing your design, you bake the plastic, which reduces its size while increasing its thickness.

When choosing a marker for Shrinky Dinks, it is important to select one that can write on glossy surfaces and has bright colours that can withstand extreme heat. The ink should not be waxy, as it will melt off in the oven. Sharpie markers are permanent markers that can write on a variety of surfaces, including plastic, and their colours are vibrant and fade-resistant.

When using Sharpies on Shrinky Dinks, it is important to remember that the colours will intensify when the plastic shrinks, so it is recommended to make your design lighter than intended. Additionally, it is best to use Sharpies with fine or ultra-fine points to prevent getting ink in unwanted places.

Other recommended markers for Shrinky Dinks include Caliart Artist Dual Tip Art Markers, Shuttle Art Permanent Markers, Paintigo Acrylic Paint Pens, Smart Color Art Permanent Markers, Uni Posca Paint Markers, BIC Intensity Fashion Permanent Markers, and Prismacolor 3620 Premier Art Markers.

How to stop shrinky dinks from curling

Shrinky Dinks are thin sheets of plastic that, when heated, shrink and harden. They are often used for arts and crafts, and can be decorated with coloured pencils, markers, and ink.

To prevent curling, you can try the following:

• Use a heat gun instead of an oven.
• Use a toaster oven instead of a conventional oven.
• Place a piece of metal screen over the Shrinky Dinks in the oven.
• Remove the metal screen with oven mitts and replace it with a pad of paper.
• Flatten the Shrinky Dinks with a flat piece of cardboard immediately after removing them from the oven.
• Cover the Shrinky Dinks with a wooden-mounted stamp or the back of a large wood stamp as soon as they come out of the oven.
• Use a knitting needle or bamboo skewers to hold the Shrinky Dinks in place while they are heated with a heat gun.
• Use a sponge brush handle with a glued-in needle to hold the Shrinky Dinks while they are heated.
• Dust the cookie sheet with flour to prevent sticking and curling.
• Lightly sand the Shrinky Dinks and/or rub cornstarch or baby powder on them before heating.

Frequently asked questions