Yes Shrinky Dinks! I. LOVE. THEM! If you are my age then you remember that amazing shrinking plastic that your parents would never buy you. Hence, my obsession with it now. Honestly I found a pin at Urban Outfitters that I fell in love with but refused to pay $30+ dollars for a little plastic gnome or $14 for a cassette tape. Enter Shrinky Dinks.
Maybe I would make any excuse to play with this amazing shrinking plastic. Maybe, just maybe? Well heck yeah. I’m about to show you how a little effort can turn a sheet of plastic into a fresh flair pin.
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Supplies you will need are:
Shrinky Dinks film – $6.49 for 10 sheets. I used 3 sheets of the ruff n’ ready kind.
Color pencils – $5.99. I used color pencils only to trace and color my pieces.
Permanent markers – $9.10 (optional)
Paint pen or acrylic paint – $2.79 for white pen @ Michaels. A paint pen is easier and less messy (optional)
scissors – $10.99 for this set
Mod Podge dimensional magic – $5.94 on Amazon. Use a %50 off coupon at Michaels if you can.
Templates to trace – Google what type of image you want and print it out. Making sure that it is about 3 inches tall for a pin or key-chain (optional)
Jewelry glue – $5.94
Pins – $2.00 @ Michaels
Key-chain – $2.99 @ Michaels (Optional)
I already had the Shrinky Dinks paper, colored pencils, markers and scissors.
My Total cost per pin – .46 cents! Yes only .46 (because I only made 3 sheets worth of Shrinky Dinks)
Assuming you have scissors already. If you get an average of 6 pins per page @ 10 pages. And you had to purchase the Shrinky Dinks film, colored pencils, permanent makers, Mod Podge, Glue and pins. For 60 pins the cost would only be .59 cents per pin!!!! Whoa! Super awesome.
Pin it for later!
SHRINKY DINKS FLAIR PIN TUTORIAL
Print out templates and trace designs onto the rough side of the Shrinky DInks film.
Color in your design using colored pencils or permanent marker. Because the colors will darken significantly when baked, you have to use a light hand when shading and coloring.
Bake Shrinky Dinks according to manufactures guidelines. (Ask for an adults help!)
Remove from oven. Flatten with a smooth object like a sheet pan or stamp block.
Once completely cool, paint the non-colored side. This is to prevent you from seeing the pin after you have glued it on. Skip this step if you are using white shrink film and sand paper method.
Add Mod Podge dimensional magic. Start by tipping the bottle over to remove air bubbles. Yes this wastes a little product, but, it will save you from chasing bubbles that don’t want to pop. Starting around the perimeter work your way around the entire piece and then flood the inside. Make sure that you do not lift the tip from the project or you’ll introduce air bubbles. Also DO NOT TOUCH the liquid at all. Mod Podge works by using surface tension to keep the product in place. If you touch the liquid it will ooze over the side, making a gooey mess.
Once the dimensional magic is completely clear and dry add your pin. Using jewelry glue will ensure your pin will adhere to both the plastic and metal. Follow the manufactures instructions.
And you’re done!
Tips and Tricks:
I used the ruff and ready film because it’s ready to use and does not have to be sanded. You can use any shrink film as long as you sand down the side you will be coloring on.
If you find that the dimensional magic is leaving gaps or dips just fill it in with a little more Mod Podge before it is dry.
I wish I would have used a flat pin (like the one’s pictured) instead of the ones I used.
Punch a hole in the film before baking if you plan on making a key-chain.
The color red will run a little when you cover it with Mod Podge. If you don’t want it to bleed over non-red elements paint a tiny bit of clear nail polish over the parts you don’t want red.
Permanent makers work well but may bleed a little when glazed over.
You can print directly on the film as well as stamp. Use a permanent stamping ink to prevent bleeding.
Pieces should be at least 3 inches in size for a good size pin. Anything below 3 inches will shrink down to less than a dime size.
Place your project either on oven safe paper of a silicon sheet while baking.
When using the Mod Podge work on a non-stick surface as well that you don’t mind getting ruined.
Want to give Shrinky Dinks pins away as gifts?
Here’s a bunch of free printable cards you can use for birthday’s, Christmas, Chanukah or just because! Just print them on some colored card stock and punch some holes for the pin to go through and gift away! Choose from either: Holiday’s flair pin cards Flair pin general cards
Get out there and make some statement pins of your own. You can also use all the left overs to make other projects like unique pencil cases, paper clips, jewelry and key-chains. The sky’s the limit!!
Watch my Tutorial video to see how it’s done.
Cheers!
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