How to use shrink plastic

Shrink plastic is a thin and flexible piece of plastic that shrinks down to 1/3 - 1/5 of its original size when it is exposed to heat. The plastic will also become both thicker and harder once it has been shrunk.

Shrink plastic comes in many colours and sizes, and it is possible to use coloured pencils or crayons to draw on the plastic. Shrink plastic is therefore perfect for making a number of different fun and exciting creations, such as beautiful accessories or keychains.

Working with shrink-plastic

Shrink plastic is actually super simple to work with; all you need are pencils/crayons, shrink plastic, scissors and an oven. So even the youngest members of the family can join in creating fun keychains and accessories, as long as there is one adult to control the oven.

Here's how you do it:

1. Shrink plastic has two sides; a glossy side and a matte, slightly rough side. Always make sure to place the glossy side down and the rough side up, so you always draw your design on the rough side.

2. Draw the design you want to make on your shrink plastic. Keep in mind that that shrink plastic will shrink in the oven, so make sure that you draw your design a little larger than you want the finished result to be. Shrink plastic shrinks to approx. 1/3 - 1/5 of its original size.

You can, of course, just draw from your imagination, but a good trick is also to print out an image from the computer and then place it under the shrink plastic. You can easily see through the plastic and draw by following the lines of your printed image.

3. Cut out your design, and if you want, you can also make a hole at the top. If you make the hole using a hole punch, the hole will be able to fit a keychain perfectly once it has shrunk.

4. Preheat your oven to 130 degrees and place your shrink plastic on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure the coloured side is facing up. Do not be nervous when your plastic starts to curl in the oven - it will straighten out again. After 3-4 minutes, your shrink plastic designs are ready.

If your plastic is slightly bent when it comes out of the oven, you can try to carefully flatten it out. But be careful, as the shrink plastic is very hot.

Shrink Plastic