Shrinking film keychains is a fun and easy craft project. The first step is to preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Then, cut out the shape that you want to create your keychain with- this could be as simple as a circle, heart, or a dog paw.
If you are using printed images, remember to mirror them before cutting out the shape. Cut out two pieces of film for each keychain. One piece should be about 3/4 the size of your cut out shape and the other piece should be slightly smaller.
Place the smaller piece on the larger piece, aligning the edges. Place the pair onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 4 minutes, and watch carefully for the two pieces to begin to curl up.
Once curled, carefully remove the cookie sheet from the oven. The film will likely still be hot, so use a heat-resistant glove or a pair of tongs to shape the keychains. If desired, you can affix jump rings while the plastic is still pliable.
Let cool, and attach to your keys!.
How long do you put shrink plastic in the oven for?
The length of time that you should put shrink plastic in the oven for depends on the brand of plastic and the thickness of the item. Generally speaking, for most brands and thicknesses, you should set the oven to 275°F and place the shrink plastic in the oven for 1-3 minutes.
However, it is important to read the directions that come with the shrink plastic to ensure that you are using the correct temperature and time for the item you are working with. Additionally, it is best to start with the lowest heat and time settings, then observe the folding and shrinking of the plastic, and adjust the time and temperature accordingly.
Overheating the plastic can cause it to curl, overshrink, and/or discolor.
What kind of plastic can I use for Shrinky Dinks?
The best kind of plastic to use for Shrinky Dinks is #6 (Polystyrene) plastic, also known as PS plastic. This type of plastic is transparent and holds a high amount of detail when heated, making it ideal for making trinkets and other do-it-yourself craft projects.
Additionally, #6 plastic is typically a lot cheaper than other types of plastic, making it an economical option for Shrinky Dinks. To get the best results, you should choose plastic that is at least 2 mils – or 0.
02” – thick.
Can you shrink #5 plastic?
No, you cannot shrink #5 plastic. This is because #5 plastic, or polypropylene, is a thermoplastic, which means that it is designed to resist high temperatures and will not become malleable when exposed to heat.
Instead, #5 plastic becomes brittle when exposed to heat and can even break or crack. It is best to avoid using heat to try to reshape this type of plastic.
Will plastic shrink when heated?
Yes, plastic will shrink when heated, although the amount of shrinkage depends on the type of plastic and the temperature to which it is heated. Generally, thermoplastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene shrink more than thermosetting plastics like unsaturated polyesters and epoxy resins.
When heated, plastic molecules become active and start to move faster, causing them to become more organized over a smaller space. The material also tends to become more rigid, brittle, and less elastic.
Heating plastics to high temperatures can cause the molecules to organize into a crystalline configuration, which will cause the plastic to shrink even further. The amount of shrinkage will also depend on the temperature, time, and pressure to which the plastic is subjected.
For example, HDPE can shrink up to 8-10% when heated at 70-90°C for 10 to 15 minutes and cooler temperatures can result in minimal shrinkage.
Can I use Sharpie on Shrinky Dinks?
Yes, you can use a Sharpie to draw on Shrinky Dinks. You can use either regular permanent markers or specially formulated shrink film markers. It is important to remember that whatever design you draw before shrinking will reverse itself while it shrinks, so be sure to flip your design before beginning.
You can also use colored pencils, crayons, and tempera paint, but if you plan on putting your Shrinky Dinks in the oven to shrink them, be sure to check the baking instructions for the types of products that can be safely put in the oven.
How do you seal Shrinky Dink jewelry?
Sealing Shrinky Dink jewelry is easy, and only requires a few materials. First, make sure that the jewelry is completely dry after baking it. Then, pick up the jewelry and apply a thin layer of nail polish, sealer, or other finalizer to the opposite side of the image.
Make sure to thoroughly cover the entire backside of the jewelry to ensure that it is completely sealed. Finally, allow the sealer to dry completely before wearing or handling the jewelry. The result will be a finished, durable piece of jewelry that will look great and last for a long time.
Can you shrink plastic with a hair dryer?
Yes, it is possible to shrink plastic with a hair dryer. The process is fairly simple and straightforward. First, you’ll need to cut the plastic into small pieces, as it is easier to heat the material when it is in small pieces.
Then, place the pieces directly in front of the hair dryer and slowly heat them up. Start with a low heat setting, and as the plastic starts to shrink and become more malleable, increase the heat setting.
Once the plastic is the desired size, slowly begin to return the heat setting to low and slowly cool the plastic down. It is a good idea to use a pair of tongs to handle the plastic as it cools down.
If the plastic is heated to the point of melting, then the hair dryer’s heat has become too high and the material will not be usable.
What type of plastic can you bake?
You can bake several types of plastic depending on the type of result you would like to achieve. Polyethylene and polypropylene plastics are generally not heat-resistant, so they should not be used in the oven.
On the other hand, polycarbonates, polyamides and plastics with higher temperatures are safe to be baked in the oven up to 195-250 °C, but it is important to maintain consistent temperatures for the best results.
In addition, acrylics, ABS, POM and PETG have higher maximum temperature levels and can be safely baked in the oven up to 300 °C. Baking plastic can be used for molding purposes to create prototypes, creating durable parts for machinery, forming products with a glossy finish and more.
What number on plastic is safe?
The number that is considered safe for use with food and beverage packaging is number 2, 4, and 5. Number 2 is made of high density polyethylene (HDPE). This plastic is the most commonly recycled type of plastic and is considered safe for contact with food and beverage because it is generally very stable and does not contain BPA or phthalates.
Number 4 is made of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and is also a relatively safe plastic that is sometimes used to make products like squeezable bottles, bread bags, and frozen food packaging. Number 5 is made of polypropylene (PP).
This is a heat-resistant plastic that is safe for contact with hot food, making it often used to make containers for food storage. It is also considered one of the safest plastics since it does not contain Bisphenol A (BPA).
How do you find number 6 plastic?
When looking for number 6 plastic, it is important to examine the packaging of any product to determine its plastic type. In the United States, manufacturers must use the “chasing arrows” or “recycling” symbol to indicate the type of plastic used in their packaging.
Each of the plastic types are designated by a number inside the symbol. Plastics numbered 1 – 7 represent the recycling categories according to the Society of the Plastics Industry. Therefore, a number 6 designation indicates that the product is made with polystyrene (PS).
Examples of number 6 plastics include Styrofoam take-out containers, egg cartons, food packaging, protective packaging for electronics, and disposable cutlery.
