Chloe Zhang
Shrink plastic is a versatile and easy-to-use product that can be decorated with a variety of colouring media, including markers, pencils, paint, and rubber stamps. The colouring process can be done before or after shrinking the plastic, with the former option providing a better hold for the colour. When colouring before shrinking, it is important to ensure that the colours dry thoroughly and that the plastic surface is slightly rough to allow the ink to set. Colours also become more saturated after shrinking, so it is advisable to use a lighter shade when colouring.
How to color paint shrink plastic
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Shrink plastic, colored pencils, markers, acrylic paint, permanent markers, sandpaper, varnish, rubber stamps, pigment inks, ink jet printer, chalks, watercolor pencils |
| Process | Cut out the design, color the shrink plastic, heat the plastic, add embellishments |
| Tips | Color stays on the plastic better when color is applied before shrinking, but color added after heating stays on the plastic if well sealed. Give the paint or marker colors at least 20 minutes of drying time before shrinking. |
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What You'll Learn
Colouring shrink plastic with markers, pencils, chalk, or paint
Coloring shrink plastic is a fun and easy project that requires no special skills. You can use markers, pencils, chalk, or paint to add bright and beautiful colors to your shrink plastic jewelry. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Coloring with Markers:
Before you start coloring, make sure you have the design you want to trace onto the shrink plastic. Place the shrink plastic on top of your design with the rough side facing upward. If your shrink plastic is smooth on both sides, lightly sand one side to create a rough texture that will grab and hold the color. Use a permanent marker to trace your design onto the rough side of the shrink plastic. You can also use markers to color in your design, but make sure the colors dry thoroughly for at least 20 minutes before shrinking. The marker colors will not rub off or wash off once baked.
Coloring with Pencils:
Colored pencils are another great option for adding color to your shrink plastic. After tracing your design with a permanent marker, use colored pencils to fill in the design with your desired colors. You can mix and match different media, such as markers and pencils, to create different textures and colors in your final piece.
Coloring with Paint:
When using paint, it is recommended to use acrylic paint. Apply a thin coat of paint directly to the areas you want to color. The design might shift slightly when color is applied before shrinking, so keep that in mind when painting. Make sure the paint dries thoroughly before shrinking, and then bake according to the manufacturer's instructions. You can also use a heat gun to shrink the plastic by placing it on a heat-resistant surface and moving the heat back and forth across the plastic until it shrinks flat.
Sealing the Color:
Once you have finished coloring and shrinking your jewelry, you can seal the color by spraying a light coat of workable fixative over it. This will seal the paint or marker and give it a shiny finish.
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Using a computer to design shrink plastic
Designing on a Computer
Start by creating your design on a computer using software such as clip art, Adobe Photoshop, Corel Paint, or Gimp. It's important to remember that the image will shrink to about half of its original size, so make sure your designs are proportionally larger. You can also use pre-made designs or clipart, which can be easily resized and adjusted to your desired proportions.
Printing on Shrink Plastic
Once you're happy with your design, it's time to print it onto the shrink plastic. Put a piece of shrink plastic into an inkjet printer, ensuring the rough side is facing up to receive the ink. Before printing, go to the "File" menu, click on "Print," and then "Properties." Look for the option to print the design as a draft or fast copy, as this will use less ink, and the ink tends to look darker when the plastic shrinks.
Tracing and Colouring
After printing your design, you can further enhance it by tracing over it with a permanent marker. If you're using smooth plastic, lightly sand one side to create a rough texture that will hold the colour better. You can then colour in your design using markers, coloured pencils, or paint. If you're using paint, make sure it's acrylic paint, and apply it with a thin coat.
Cutting and Baking
Before shrinking the plastic, cut out your design and any necessary holes for jewellery findings. You can use scissors, a craft knife, or a hole puncher for this step. Then, follow the manufacturer's instructions for baking your shrink plastic in the oven. The plastic will curl up but don't worry, it will straighten out again. The baking process only takes a few minutes, so keep an eye on it.
Finishing Touches
Once your plastic has shrunk and cooled, you can add some finishing touches. If you want to add colour after shrinking, use markers, pencils, or paint, ensuring you seal the colour well. You can also spray a light coat of workable fixative over the piece to seal the paint or marker and give it a shiny appearance.
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Preparing the plastic before colouring
When you are ready to begin colouring, it is recommended to use a shade or two lighter than your desired shade, as colours become deeper and more saturated when the plastic is shrunk. Markers, inks, pencils, and acrylic paint are all suitable for colouring shrink plastic. If you are using chalks or aqua pencils, you will need to seal the colour with a varnish. Diamond Glaze, Krylon Crystal Lacquer, and Krylon Matt Varnish are all suitable options. If you are using permanent inks, you can choose to leave the plastic unsealed.
If you are using stamps to create a design, it is best to add the colour first and then stamp over it. This will help the ink to bond, and you can create interesting effects with different types of ink. When using a heat gun, hold it very high above the plastic first to dry the ink and avoid smudging, and then move it closer to shrink the plastic. You can also use an oven to shrink the plastic. Place the plastic on a piece of cardboard or cooking paper on an old tray and put it in a preheated oven. The oven temperature and time will depend on the brand of shrink plastic, so be sure to check the instructions.
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Baking or heating the plastic
Once you have cut out your design and added colour, you can bake your shrink plastic according to the manufacturer's instructions. Each brand of shrink plastic has a slightly different baking temperature, so be sure to follow the instructions provided with your chosen product. If you are using a heat gun, place the coloured shrink plastic on a heat-resistant surface, such as a baking pan on top of the stove. Turn on the heat gun and move the heat back and forth across the plastic. You will see the plastic bend, wiggle and fold until it shrinks flat again, permanently embedding the colour.
If you are using an oven, preheat it to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and place your plastic drawings in the centre of a cookie sheet. Once the oven is preheated, place the cookie sheet on the top rack. After about a minute, the plastic will curl, shrink and then flatten out, reducing to about a third of its original size and becoming nine times thicker.
It is important to note that the colour stays on the plastic better when applied before shrinking, but colour added after heating will also stay on the plastic if it is well sealed with a workable fixative. If you are using a computer printer to add colour, be sure to print on the rough side of the plastic and set the print quality to "draft" or "fast" to avoid using too much ink, as the ink will look darker when the plastic shrinks.
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Sealing the final product
Sealing your shrink plastic art is an important step to protect your creation and ensure its longevity. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for sealing your final product:
Sealing Methods:
- Spray Sealants: You can use an acrylic spray sealant to give your shrink plastic a glossy finish. However, be cautious as spray sealants can cause permanent markers to lighten or run, leading to colour bleeding. It is recommended to spray a fine mist from several inches away to apply a gentle first coating.
- Embossing Powder: Some crafters swear by using embossing powder as a sealant. However, results may vary. It might work well for some and lead to a bubbly, melted mess for others. It is worth noting that this method may be tricky for coating both sides of your piece.
- Polyurethane: Polyurethane is another option for sealing your shrink plastic. However, be aware of potential cracking issues, especially for small items with holes in them, such as jewellery.
- Glaze: Products like JudiKins Diamond Glaze in a squeeze bottle can be used as a sealer and glue for multipiece objects.
Additional Tips:
- If you're using Sharpies or permanent markers, be aware that they may not be very resilient and can rub off over time. Consider sealing your artwork to protect the colours.
- When using a brushed-on sealant like Mod Podge, be cautious as it may smear certain types of paint or pencil, leading to an uneven finish.
- Baking your shrink plastic in an oven at 350°F on a piece of parchment paper can help achieve a flatter result compared to using a heat gun.
- If using embossing powder, place the shrink plastic marker-side up on parchment paper, cover it with embossing powder, and bake it in the oven until the powder melts and turns clear. Remove any excess goo with a toothpick.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use markers, colored pencils, chalk, paint, or rubber stamps to color shrink plastic.
You should use acrylic paint to color shrink plastic. Tempera paint will burn.
You can add color either before or after shrinking the plastic. Adding color before shrinking will make the color stay on the plastic better, but adding color after shrinking will also work if you seal it well.
The ink will stick better if the surface of the plastic is rough. You can buy shrink plastic with one side already roughened, or you can use sandpaper to roughen the surface yourself.
You can seal the color on shrink plastic by spraying a light coat of workable fixative over the plastic after you finish adding the color.
