Ethan Clarke
Shrink plastic, also known as Shrinky Dinks, is a versatile material that can be used for a variety of crafts and projects. It starts as a thin, easily cuttable sheet and shrinks to a fraction of its original size when heated, making it perfect for creating custom embellishments, charms, jewellery, and more. Before shrinking, the plastic can be decorated with rubber stamps and coloured with various media. However, it's important to remember that the designs will shrink, so the appropriate stamp sizes and ink types should be chosen. Let's explore the process of stamping on shrink plastic and the creative possibilities it offers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of shrink plastic | Clear, Frosted, Frosted White |
| Use | Can be used to create quick custom embellishments for cards or scrapbooks, make interesting items of jewelry, accessories, and elements for inclusion in other mixed media projects |
| Stamping | Rubber stamps are ideal for using on shrink plastic. |
| Inks | Pigment inks and permanent inks such as Stazon are the best types of inks to use. |
| Colors | Colors become deeper and more saturated when the shrink plastic has been shrunk. |
| Shrinking | Can be shrunk using a heat tool, toaster oven, regular oven, or a heat gun. |
| Temperature | Heat to 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit. |
| Curling | Shrink plastic will curl and bend when heated, but will return to a flat shape when the shrinking process is complete. |
| Lightweight | Yes |
| Additional embellishments | Can be added after the shrink plastic has been heated and shrunk. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right ink
When stamping on shrink plastic, it is important to choose the right ink to ensure the desired outcome. Here are some factors to consider when selecting the appropriate ink:
Ink Compatibility with Plastic Surfaces
Firstly, understand that stamping on plastic can be challenging due to its non-porous nature. Unlike paper or wood, plastic does not readily absorb ink, leading to issues such as smudging, uneven ink distribution, and prolonged drying times. Therefore, choose an ink specifically designed for use on plastic surfaces, ensuring better adhesion and reducing the likelihood of smudging.
Ink Type
The type of ink you select is crucial. Dye ink, for example, is fast-drying and has a water-like consistency, making it ideal for regular paper surfaces but less suitable for plastic. Pigment ink, on the other hand, is viscous and water-based, creating vibrant colours that are fade-resistant. Its thicker and slow-drying nature makes it perfect for embossing and heat-setting on various surfaces, including plastic. Solvent ink is another option, designed for semi- to non-porous surfaces like plastic, offering quick-drying and permanent results.
Ink Performance on Sanded vs. Un-sanded Plastic
The finish of your plastic surface will impact the ink's performance. Some inks may not dry on un-sanded, shiny, and slippery shrink plastic, even with heat. On the other hand, certain dye inks may bleed on sanded or frosted plastic. Heat Set and permanent pigment inks are known to produce clear, dry images on both sanded and un-sanded surfaces.
Quick-drying, Waterproof, and High Opacity
When selecting an ink for plastic, look for inks with quick-drying, waterproof, and high-opacity properties. These characteristics will ensure that your design dries swiftly, is resistant to water, and has a vibrant, crisp appearance on the plastic surface.
Experimentation
Lastly, don't be afraid to experiment with different inks and surfaces. Each brand of shrink plastic may interact differently with various inks. Trial and error will help you find the right ink that suits your specific plastic. Remember, the colour intensifies after shrinking, so start with a light hand to avoid overly dark results.
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Using the right stamps
When stamping on shrink plastic, it is important to select the right stamps and inks to ensure your design stays put. Rubber stamps are ideal for shrink plastic, and you can use stamps you already have in your crafting collection. Remember that the plastic will shrink to around half its original size, so select a stamp that is large enough to accommodate this shrinkage.
The type of ink you use is also important. Pigment inks and permanent inks, such as Stazon, are recommended. However, keep in mind that not all inks perform the same on all brands of shrink plastic, and some inks may not set properly. Test your ink on a small piece of shrink plastic before starting your project. If the ink does not set properly, you can add a coat of varnish to help seal it.
To get the best results, the surface of the shrink plastic should be slightly rough to allow the ink to grip the surface. Some brands of shrink plastic are sold with one side already roughened, but if yours is not, you can lightly sand it with sandpaper.
When stamping, be sure to leave enough space around your impressions to cut around them. Acrylic or alcohol art markers are recommended for colouring in your stamped images, as generic markers will not absorb into the shrink paper. Once your stamping and colouring are complete, cut your images into large chunks and then trim smoothly around each image, leaving a thin white border.
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Preparing the plastic
Shrink plastic, also known as Shrinky Dinks, is a versatile material that can be used for various crafts, including stamping. It is a thin, lightweight plastic that can be easily cut with scissors and then shrunk to a fraction of its original size when heated.
When preparing the plastic for stamping, it is important to keep in mind that the plastic will shrink, so select a stamp that is larger than the desired size. The best types of ink to use are pigment inks and permanent inks, such as Stazon. However, be aware that not all inks perform the same on all brands of shrink plastic, and some inks may not set even after shrinking. To avoid this, you can use a coat of varnish, but the item will be vulnerable to smudging until it is sealed. Markers, inks, pencils, and acrylic paint can also be used to colour images on the shrink plastic before stamping.
The surface of the shrink plastic should be slightly rough to allow the ink to grab onto it better. Some brands of shrink plastic are sold with one side already roughened, but if the plastic you are using does not have a rough side, you can lightly sand it with sandpaper.
Before stamping, cut the shrink plastic to the desired size, leaving enough space around the stamped impressions to cut them out. If you are creating items like earrings, necklaces, or charms, you will need to add a hole punch before shrinking.
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Heating methods
There are a few options for shrinking your plastic: a toaster oven, a regular oven, a heat gun, or an embossing heat tool. Hairdryers are generally not hot enough. If using an oven, heat it to 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit. Use pliers or an oven mitt to handle the hot tray, and parchment paper or aluminium foil to protect the surface.
If you are using a heat tool, be aware that shrink plastic is very lightweight, so you need to be careful not to let the air blow the pieces away.
The shrinking process is very quick and only takes a couple of minutes in the oven. The plastic will curl and bend, but it should return to a flat shape once the shrinking process is complete. If it sticks to itself, carefully pull it apart while it is still hot.
To ensure your plastic cures flat, have a smooth, flat object readily available to flatten your designs immediately after heating.
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Finishing touches
Before shrinking, you can decorate the surface of the shrink plastic with rubber stamps and colour them with a variety of media. After the plastic has been heated and shrunk, you can add additional embellishments. When hot, the plastic is malleable and can be further shaped.
The precise shrinkage will vary from brand to brand, so it is best to work with a test piece if a precise size is required. It is difficult for inks to set on shiny plastic surfaces, so for best results, the surface of the shrink plastic should be slightly rough to allow the inks to grab on. Some shrink plastic brands are sold with one side already roughened, but if yours is not, you can lightly sand it with sandpaper.
If you forget to punch a hole before you shrink the plastic, you can drill one slowly and gently, being careful not to get too close to the edge. If you are using clear plastic and want some contrast, cut and glue a piece of paper to the back of your plastic.
If you want to make sure that the ink stays on longer, you can use clear nail polish or super glue to add a protective coat over the top.
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Frequently asked questions
Shrink plastic, sometimes known as Shrinky Dinks, is a material that starts out thin and can easily be cut with scissors. When heated, it shrinks to around half its size and becomes hard plastic.
The best types of ink to use are pigment inks and permanent inks such as Stazon. It is important to note that not all inks perform the same on all brands of shrink plastic.
Yes, rubber stamps are ideal for using on shrink plastic. However, it is important to keep in mind that the plastic shrinks to a fraction of its original size, so select an appropriate size stamp for your project.
You can use a toaster oven, a regular oven, a heat gun, or an embossing heat tool. Hair dryers are generally not hot enough.
To ensure your shrink plastic cures flat, have a smooth flat object readily available to flatten them immediately after being heated.
