Shrinking #6 Plastic: How Much Does It Reduce?

#6 plastic is a popular material for making 'shrinky dinks' – a fun craft project where plastic is shrunk down to make small, decorative items. #6 plastic is often used for food containers, and can be found in meat trays from the deli, as well as styrofoam cups. When heated, #6 plastic shrinks, but not always evenly, and the colours become darker and more intense.

#6 plastic sheets can be bought from Home Depot for $2 a sheet

#6 plastic, also known as craft foam, is a great material for making shrinky dinks. It shrinks like mad, but it doesn't get stiff. You can buy #6 plastic sheets at Home Depot for $2 a sheet. These sheets are 8"x10" and are perfect for making shrinky dinks. However, it's important to note that #6 plastic doesn't always shrink evenly, and sometimes it can come out with distortions and flaws. To make shrinky dinks, cut out your desired shapes and pop them in the oven at 175 degrees Centigrade (350 degrees Fahrenheit) for about 2 minutes. You'll notice that the colours become darker and more intense, and your shapes will be thick and flat.

If you're looking for a more sustainable option, you can recycle plastic to make your own shrinky dinks. Food containers made with #6 plastic are a good option, especially if they have a high-pitched noise when handled. However, even with recycled #6 plastic, there is no surefire way to predict which pieces will distort and which will shrink evenly.

#6 plastic shrinks like mad but doesn't get stiff

When making shrinky dinks with #6 plastic, it is important to note that the plastic may not shrink equally in height and width. The colours will also become darker and more intense.

#6 plastic is also known as craft foam or foam. Meat trays from the deli are made from #6 plastic and are thick enough to make shrinky dinks.

#6 plastic with ridges adds texture to beads

#6 plastic shrinks, but not always equally in height and width. It can also become distorted and flawed. However, #6 plastic with ridges can add texture to beads. Meat trays from the deli are made of #6 plastic and are thick enough to make shrinky dinks.

#6 plastic can be cut out and put in the oven at 175 degrees Centigrade

#6 plastic is commonly found in food containers, meat trays, and craft foam. When heated, the plastic will shrink, and the colours will become darker and more intense. However, it is important to note that #6 plastic may not shrink evenly, and distortions or flaws may occur.

To begin the shrinking process, cut the #6 plastic carefully into the desired shape. Then, place it in the oven at 175 degrees Centigrade (350 degrees Fahrenheit) for approximately 2 minutes. This temperature and duration should be sufficient to cause the plastic to shrink.

It is worth mentioning that #6 plastic may not always produce consistent results. Some users have reported that their shapes became distorted, with uneven shrinkage in height and width. Therefore, it is recommended to experiment with different pieces of #6 plastic to find the ones that yield the best results. Additionally, it is important to handle #6 plastic with care, as it can reach high temperatures during the shrinking process.

Food containers made with #6 plastic are best for recycling

#6 plastic shrinks a lot when heated, but it does not get stiff. It is a good material for making 'shrinky dinks' and can be coloured with permanent markers. However, it does not always shrink equally in height and width, which can lead to distortions and flaws.

Frequently asked questions