shrinky dinks! July 26, 2009

When I was younger, I always wanted shrinky dinks.  Well I never got them… until now!  They come in kids’ kits, but also come in packs with just the sheets themselves.  I saw them in solid blue, black, and white, and also in matte and clear.  I got the clear pack which works just fine with sharpies. Yay for sharpies! 

So, shrinky dinks.  They are flexible sheets of plastic (think overhead sheet) that when heated at about 300 degrees for a couple of minutes, they shrink to less than 50% the original size.  What you have is a smaller, yet thicker, unflexible piece of decorated plastic.

I just made a few to experiment with, and decided to send some to my cousins and sister.  A few of the pieces didn’t turn out right, so I’m including some tips so my mistakes won’t be repeated. 

sharpies, jelly roll pen, shrink film. using black sharpie first will get some black on your other sharpies later

"today is the first day of the rest of your life." a quote my dad would always say. i hole punched one corner after cutting out the saying.

parchment paper under and on top of the piece

THE PIECE WILL CURL up on itself and may stick, so i suggest folding the paper securely to keep the piece from getting ruined. don't put anything on top, the ink may stick to the paper.

toaster oven. 300 degrees for about 2 minutes.

right out of the oven

as a keychain! all done!

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So that’s a quick step by step.  Next are a few of the pieces that I sent off to my sister and cousins along with a little note.  Just something little to send off in the mail!

 

 

 

 

 

 

beth's personal mantra: small bites, chew well

 

Let me know if you make any shrinky dink creations!