Shrink Plastic Art: Silhouette's Transforming Magic

Silhouette shrink plastic is a fun craft activity for kids and adults alike. The process involves drawing and cutting out a shape from a sheet of plastic, which is then placed in the oven to shrink. The plastic shrinks to seven times smaller, and seven times thicker, than the original shape. You can decorate the shrink plastic with colouring pencils, stamps or permanent markers.

How to cut dense media shrink plastic

Silhouette shrink plastic shrinks to seven times smaller than its original size, and seven times thicker.

To cut dense media shrink plastic, start with a sheet of plastic that looks like regular acetate. Draw and cut out your shape, then pop it in the oven. You can decorate the shrink plastic with colouring pencils, stamps or permanent markers. It's important to note that you won't be able to make holes once the plastic has shrunk, so make sure to add scaled-up ones before you cut.

If you're using clear shrink plastic, remove the Silhouette-branded liner and place the shapes printed side up onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet. If you're using white shrink plastic, place the printed shapes printed side up onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet. The baking process takes approximately two minutes. Watch as the piece shrinks and curls, then lays flat again. When your piece is flat (or almost flat if you've baked a bigger piece), carefully remove the cookie sheet from the oven.

How to cut shrink plastic with your Silhouette

All Silhouette cutting machines can cut shrink plastic. To get the best cut, follow the process outlined below.

Firstly, you'll need to scale your shape. Make it the size you want after it's shrunk, then scale it to 264.5%. Remember, you won't be able to make holes once it's shrunk, so make sure to add scaled-up ones before you cut. You can decorate the shrink plastic with colouring pencils, stamps or permanent markers.

Next, draw and cut out your shape. You'll start with a sheet of plastic that looks like regular acetate.

Now, place your shape printed side up onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet. If you're using clear shrink plastic, remove the Silhouette-branded liner first. If you're using white shrink plastic, you can place the printed shape straight onto the cookie sheet.

The baking process takes approximately two minutes. Watch as the piece shrinks – it will curl and move and then lay flat again. When you see that your piece is flat (or almost flat if you've baked a bigger piece), quickly but carefully remove the cookie sheet from the oven.

Your shape will now be much smaller and thicker than when you started.

How to scale your shape

To scale your shape, you need to make it the size you want after it's shrunk and then scale it to 264.5%. You can't make holes once the plastic has shrunk, so make sure to add scaled-up holes before you cut. You can decorate the shrink plastic with colouring pencils, stamps or permanent markers.

To cut shrink plastic with your Silhouette, follow these steps:

• Remove the Silhouette-branded liner from the clear shrink plastic.
• Place the shapes printed side up onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
• If you are using white shrink plastic, place the printed shapes printed side up onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
• The baking process takes approximately two minutes. Watch as the piece shrinks and then lay flat again.
• When you see that your piece is flat, carefully remove the cookie sheet from the oven.

How to decorate shrink plastic

Silhouette shrink plastic shrinks to seven times smaller and seven times thicker than its original size.

• Use permanent markers, colouring pencils, or stamps to decorate the shrink plastic.
• If you want to add holes, make sure to add scaled-up ones before you cut the plastic.
• If you want to add embroidery, do so before you shrink the plastic to create additional surface design and texture.
• You can also use rubber stamps to create intricate designs for earrings.
• Remember to take the shrinkage into account when planning your project.

How to bake shrink plastic

Silhouette shrink plastic shrinks to seven times smaller than its original size, and seven times thicker.

To bake shrink plastic, start by drawing and cutting out your shape from a sheet of plastic. Then, place the shape printed side up onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet. If you are using clear shrink plastic, remove the Silhouette-branded liner first. If you are using white shrink plastic, you can skip this step.

The baking process takes approximately two minutes. During this time, the plastic will curl and move and then lay flat again. When the plastic is flat, or almost flat if you are baking a bigger piece, carefully remove the cookie sheet from the oven.

If you are using shrink plastic for the first time, it is recommended to bake one piece at a time. You won't be able to make holes in the plastic once it's shrunk, so make sure to add scaled-up ones before you cut. You can decorate the shrink plastic with colouring pencils, stamps or permanent markers.

Frequently asked questions