Maya Ellison
Shrinky Dinks are a fun craft that was popular in the 80s and is still enjoyed today. They are made from a special type of plastic that shrinks when heated, creating small, thick plastic charms. While commercial Shrinky Dinks are available, they can also be made from recycled plastic, specifically #6 plastic, which is typically used for takeout containers and bakery goods. This plastic is polystyrene, also known as Styrofoam, and can be identified by a recycling symbol. The plastic is cut into desired shapes, decorated, and then baked in the oven to shrink and thicken, providing entertainment and a sense of magic for crafters of all ages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic type | Polystyrene (aka Styrofoam) |
| Plastic classification | #6 |
| Oven temperature | 350 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Time in oven | 30 seconds to 2 minutes |
| Other tools | Scissors, permanent markers, parchment paper |
| Plastic sources | Takeout containers, sushi containers, plastic clamshells, fruit and deli containers, grocery store sushi, baked goods packaging |
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What You'll Learn
#6 plastic is polystyrene
Polystyrene is commonly used in takeaway food packaging, such as containers for salads or lids for pans made of aluminium. It is also used in items like insulation, CD cases, and even some toys. Due to its lightweight and rigid properties, polystyrene is particularly useful for home science or art projects as it can be easily cut, shaped, and painted.
When using #6 plastic for Shrinky Dinks, it is important to note that the plastic should be in the form of clear containers, rather than the typical disposable cups or takeaway containers. This is because the clear containers are lightweight and can be easily formed into shapes.
To identify #6 plastic for Shrinky Dinks, look for the symbol of a triangle with arrows and a number 6 inside. You can often find this type of plastic in takeout containers, such as sushi trays, or as lids for aluminium pans.
Overall, #6 plastic, or polystyrene, is a versatile and commonly used material that can be sourced from various household items for use in crafts like Shrinky Dinks.
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#1 plastic also works
#1 plastic can also be used for Shrinky Dinks. It is one of the two types of plastic that can be used for this purpose, the other being #6 plastic.
To make Shrinky Dinks, you need to gather plastic containers labelled #1 or #6, cut them into the desired shapes, and decorate them with Sharpies. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, place the plastic inside, and watch it curl up and then uncurl. The process is complete in a couple of minutes.
It can be challenging to find #1 and #6 plastic in flat trays, and the plastic may not always behave as expected. For instance, in one instance, #1 plastic barely shrunk or thickened, and several pieces never uncurled. However, in another case, #1 plastic worked well for Shrinky Dinks, shrinking and thickening as desired and staying flat.
Shrinky Dinks are a fun way to reduce your environmental footprint by reusing plastic containers that would otherwise be thrown away.
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Recycled plastic is an option
Shrinky Dinks are a fantastic craft that was very popular in the '80s. Kits came with pre-printed colouring sheets of popular characters, which could be decorated with coloured pencils. Once decorated, they would be cut out and placed in the oven, where they would shrink down to small, thick plastic charms.
You can make your own DIY Shrinky Dinks from recycled plastic. The best type of plastic to use is #6 plastic, which is the classification for Polystyrene (Styrofoam). However, this is not the type of polystyrene used for disposable cups or takeaway containers. Instead, it is used to make clear containers that are cheap, lightweight, and easy to form into shapes. You can find #6 plastic in takeout containers for salads or lids for aluminium pans.
It is important to note that not all plastic containers will work for this project. Only #6 plastic will shrink correctly. Other kinds of plastic will not work and some might even be dangerous. Some plastic containers will also have warnings stamped on them, which can interfere with your ability to colour and decorate the plastic.
To make Shrinky Dinks from recycled plastic, start by gathering plastic labelled #1 or #6. Cut them into your desired shapes and decorate them with Sharpies. Preheat your oven to 325–350 °F and place your plastic in the oven for 30 seconds to 2 minutes. They will shrink up pretty fast, so keep an eye on them. Once they are done, you can use them to make keychains, necklaces, earrings, or other fun crafts.
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Plastic from takeout containers
If you want to make Shrinky Dinks from takeout containers, you should look for plastic stamped with the #6 recycling code. This plastic is typically used for takeout containers and baked goods packaging from grocery stores. It is also known as polystyrene or Styrofoam, but be aware that the Styrofoam used for disposable cups and takeout containers is not suitable for this project. The #6 plastic you want is often used for clear containers that are cheap, lightweight, and easy to form into shapes. You can find them as takeout containers for salads or lids for pans made of aluminum.
When making Shrinky Dinks from recycled plastic, it is important to note that only #6 plastic will shrink correctly. Other types of plastic may not work as well or could even be dangerous.
To make Shrinky Dinks from takeout containers, gather your supplies: #6 plastic, permanent markers, scissors, an oven, and parchment paper. Cut the plastic into your desired shapes, decorate them with markers, and then preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your creations on parchment paper on a baking sheet and bake them for 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, as they will shrink quickly.
It is worth noting that while using recycled plastic is a fun and creative way to make Shrinky Dinks, the results may vary, and the charms may turn out a little warped or skewed. If you want more reliable and consistent results, you can purchase commercial Shrinky Dink sheets or kits. However, using recycled plastic from takeout containers can be a great way to experiment and explore the magic of Shrinky Dinks while also reducing waste.
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Commercial Shrinky Dinks are reliable
Shrinky Dinks are sheets of polystyrene plastic that can be decorated, cut into shapes, and shrunk in the oven. While it is possible to make Shrinky Dinks from recycled plastic, using commercial Shrinky Dinks is a more reliable option for achieving consistent results.
Commercial Shrinky Dinks are made from thin, flexible polystyrene plastic (#6). This type of plastic is widely available and can be found in takeout containers, baked goods packaging, and other household items. The commercial sheets are easy to work with and can be coloured with felt-tip pens, acrylic paint, or coloured pencils before baking.
When heated, the plastic sheets shrink to about one-third of their original size while becoming nine times thicker and more rigid, resulting in hard, flat forms that retain their colour and shape. The shrinking process is consistent and predictable with commercial Shrinky Dinks, ensuring that your creations turn out as expected.
In addition, commercial Shrinky Dinks are affordable and readily available. At $6 for 10 sheets, they are a cost-effective option for those who want to engage in this craft without having to source and experiment with different types of recycled plastic.
Furthermore, commercial Shrinky Dinks have been around since the 1970s, and their popularity has endured. They have been licensed to major toy companies and are widely recognised, with many people having fond memories of using them as children. This long-standing presence in the market is a testament to their reliability and quality.
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Frequently asked questions
The best plastic for making Shrinky Dinks is #6 plastic, which is the classification for Polystyrene (Styrofoam). This type of plastic is often used for takeout containers or baked goods at the grocery store.
#6 plastic can be found in takeout containers, such as those used for salads or sushi, or as lids for pans made of aluminum.
Some people have experimented with using #1 plastic for Shrinky Dinks, but the results may vary and they may not shrink or thicken as desired.
Yes, you can buy pre-made Shrinky Dink sheets online or at craft stores. They are typically inexpensive, usually costing around $1 per sheet or $6 for 10 sheets.
