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geothebio β How to Make Shrinky Dink Charms in Ten Easy Steps
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Published: 2013-09-03 17:50:12 +0000 UTC; Views: 16538; Favourites: 1211; Downloads: 0
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quite a few people on tumblr have asked me how i make my shrinky dink charms that i sell at cons, so i decided to make a tutorial!to see the full tutorial go here: geothebio.tumblr.com/post/6018β¦
feel free to make your own charms (just don't copy the design i use here) for relatively little money! if you live in the UK, shrinky dinks are virtually impossible to find in stores. the good news is, you can order them on amazon, in a variety of styles. i know some shrinky dink sheets have a rough side that is used for colored pencil use, but the sheets i used here didn't have a rough side, so i had to use sandpaper. if your sheets have a rough side, don't use sandpaper!
happy crafting!
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Comments: 76
I have a question:
How does the design have to be so that it can shrink to a reasonable size?
(because I don't want the charms to be too small)
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i would say make it about 2-3 times bigger than the size you want it to be
a 2 inch design would shrink down to one inch
a 3.5 inch design would shrink to about 1.5 inches or so
really it's all trial and error, that's how i figured it out
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I was wondering but how come you sand it down?
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the sanding makes sure the colored pencil stays on without flaking off
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ohh okie thanks for the info!
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where did you trace over the one in step two? orrr what is that plastic called?
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i traced it directly onto the shrinky dink plastic
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oooh okay. is there a substitute if i don't own a shrinky dink plastic? i can't find some in my country D:
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just search for "shrink plastic" and then add the name of your country after that and you should be able to find some substitutes!
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Around how big should the original design (on the lined paper) be? Fantastic work by the way!
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i would say about 2.5 in. wide and 3 in. tall
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... *runs off to make millions of shrinky dinks*
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I've made bracelets by stamping an image then using a heat gun to shrink the image you can only do a few at time since it starts to burn your fingers I can never get the shrink to lay flat using the oven they always curl on me. then again if you burn your fingerprints off... I like your tutorial I've never added color to my images I always end up smearing the lines not sure why colored pencils never crossed my mind. Thanks!
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oh very helpful and clear. I didn't realize I already have all I need haha. Thanks!
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When you use the sandpaper, do you do it to both sides, or just to one? Same question for the coloring and outlining with sharpie.
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just do both of those things on one side only
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Seems awesome, a pity I can't find proper sheets here in Poland and shipping costs A LOT.
Is there something I can use instead?
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i heard you can use #6 plastic containers as shrink plastic! just google "home made shrinky dinks" or something similar and you should find plenty of tutorials!
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thank you very much!
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you can do this with inkjet shrink paper too!
You don't have to color it by hand over and overΒ
(except the paper is expensiiiiveee)
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yeah, i looked into that paper but i found it to be much cheaper just coloring them all by hand each time C:
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THANK YOU SO EFFING MUCH!!!!!!! love you ~<3 x3
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I totally just read the title as "stinky drinks"
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most people read it as "shrinky dicks" haha
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There are Shrinky Dinks Ink Jet were you can just print down your images. I prefer those. It looks more professional and it's way more easier to reproduce your stuff (: They work almost the same way.
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Questions for the artist:
1) After you bake 'em, you said you wipe them down with a paper towel. Do they smudge if you do this? Do you have to be careful about it?
2) Do you have to use Mod Podge, or would something like nail polish top coat work too?
3) Suggestion: I've noticed that if you have a toaster oven, those tend to work way more quickly and heat more consistently than a conventional oven for Shrinky Dinks.
4) Why use sand paper? Shrinky Dinks has "frosted" paper that is basically the same thing.
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1. no, it shouldn't smudge, don't use a wet paper towel!
2. i wouldn't use clear nail polish, it'll get sticky (i've tried that before i got mod podge), but there are other alternative clear acrylic sealants that work just as well!
3. we don't have a toaster oven, but i have heard that as well! i also heard that a heat gun also works
4. like i said in the comments, don't use sandpaper if you haev the frosted (the kind with the rough side already there). i just happened to buy the plain shrinky dink paper without the rough side (it was cheaper)
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Thank you for the feedback! I will have to try the mod podge thing to waterproof my charms.
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Ok, just What the hell is happening here?
I've been working with shrinky dinks for almost a year and no printer ink and no copic marker ink has worn off, not even a bit. And I'm wearing them as keychains, throwing them wherever I feel like when I get home, using them for playing with my cats, etc.
Not even a scratch. They are all as new. wut
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someone told me on tumblr that they tried to use copics and it just bled all over the place (and i don't own copics or anything) but if that method works for you go ahead and keep using it!
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awesome stuff! I have an urge to make these now xD
I think in the UK, Hobbycraft stores sell something called Shrinkles which I think might be the same stuff (?) not sure, but I'm definitely looking into this 8D
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I work with shrinky dinks now, shrinky dinks are cool C:
Add fez for coolness.
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Thanks! I've loved using shrinky dinkys but always got frustrated when the colour rubs off and honestly hadn't thought to use mod podge as a varnish for it. Definitely going to be attempting some designs now.
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For an even easier and practically free way to get the material to make shrinky dinks, you can use #6 plastic. That's literally all a shrinky dink is: #6 plastic.
If you go this route the cook time will likely be differentΒ and will take some experimenting (cook time is determined by the thickness of the plastic you start out with)
It's also worth noting for people who may have not done shrinky dinks before, the fumes from cooking the plastic can be smelly and make some people sick (I don't know if the fumes are toxic but its probably safest to make sure to keep the area very well ventilated while cooking them). Don't do too many at once.
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I have to try this sometime D: Thanks so much for posting!
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I was considering using shrinky dinks but wasn't sure about using them, now I definitely want to use them 
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the cutting comes before the heating! if you heat it and then try to cut it, the plastic will be too thick to cut!
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Before heating, after heating them they become thicker and harder to cut, dont break your hand, do it before. haha
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HAHA! Ok I will definitely remember that, thanks!
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wow, actually I had just bought shrinky dinks and some modpodge to make keychains;;
this is a really nice tutorial I will refer to aside from the one I had learned this from >v<
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