Shrink Plastic Projects and Tutorials

By
Kate Pullen
Kate Pullen

Kate Pullen is an accomplished artist and rubber stamping expert with over 15 years of professional crafting experience. She founded the website Away With The Pixels, a digital rubber stamping studio, and conducts craft workshops around the country.

Learn more about The Spruce Crafts' Editorial Process
Updated on 05/07/20
shrink plastic necklace craft

Alisa Burke

Shrink plastic is such a versatile medium. With very little in the way of special equipment (you'll need a heat source for the heating and shrinking), you can create beautiful elements which can be used to make jewelry, decorations, and accessories. While shrink plastic is often thought of as a craft for kids, it shouldn't be overlooked when it comes to a craft for grownups - as the following pages demonstrate!  In addition to the ideas here, sign up to get crafting inspiration delivered to your inbox each week.

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    Planning Your Shrink Plastic Projects

    When you plan your shrink plastic projects, remember to take into account shrinkage
    Kate Pullen

    Before you get started browsing projects and tutorials, here are some tips for using shrink plastic in your craft projects:

    •  Remember to take the shrinkage into account when you are planning your projects. As you will see in the photo above, the shrink plastic will shrink to a fraction of the original size. Do a test piece first to check the shrinkage of the brand of shrink plastic you are using.
    • The colors will change when the shrink plastic is heated and shrunk. Again, I recommend doing a test piece first to check the colors come out as you expect.
    • You can use a heat gun or a toaster oven to heat and shrink the shrink plastic. Check the manufacturer's instructions before you start.

    Now browse the projects and tutorials on the following pages to get inspired for your next shrink plastic craft project!

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    Make Shrink Plastic Earrings

    Make earrings from shrink plastic and rubber stamps
    Kate Pullenn

    Use your favorite rubber stamps as a design to make cute earrings. Remember that the finished project will end up at a fraction of the original size, therefore, you can create earrings with an intricate decorative design.

    Go to Project Page 

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    Make Shrink Plastic Washer Pendants

    Make Shrink Plastic Washer Pendants Sherri Osborn

    These washer pendants are surprisingly easy to make. Learn how to make your own and make some extra to give as gifts!

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    DIY Shrink Plastic Ring Tutorial

    ring_4.jpg
    Make a band ring from shrink plastic Kate Pullen

    Use shrink plastic to create attractive rings. The trick to making shrink plastic rings is bending the shrink plastic while it is still hot and malleable. 

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    Shrink Plastic Stud Earring Tutorial

    Shrink Plastic Earring Tutorial from Mollie Makes Mollie Makes

    Finished shrink plastic is hard wearing and light. This makes it a great option for making jewelry items such as earrings. Learn how to make these pretty stud earrings with this photo tutorial.

    Go To Project Page

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    DIY Shrink Plastic Leaf Pendant Necklace

    Shrink Plastic Leaves Necklace Lil Blue Boo

    Create a beautiful fall-inspired necklace using leaves made from shrink plastic. 

    Go To Project Page

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    Hand Doodled Statement Necklace Tutorial

    Learn how to make a one-of-a-kind statement necklace Alisa Burke

    This hand doodled statement necklace combines some hot techniques. Doodling, coloring and shrink plastic are combined to make a one-of-a-kind feature necklace

    Go To Project Page

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    Zebra Ring Tutorial

    Make a Zebra Ring Alisa Burke

    Draw animal prints onto shrink plastic and then shrink it to create stunning rings. This tutorial you how to make these at home.

    Go To Project Page

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    Shrink Plastic Charms

    Make shrink plastic charms
    Make shrink plastic charms Kate Pullen

    Make shrink plastic charms which can be used to make jewelry and accessories. You could also add these lightweight charms as embellishments to handmade cards and scrapbook pages.

    Go To Project Page

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    Shrink Plastic Bird Charm Tutorial and Free Template

    Make a cute statement piece with these lovely shrink plastic bird charms Make Sell Jewellery

    If you fancy something a little different then how about making an eye-catching bird charm feature necklace. This tutorial also includes a free printable template to get you started.

    Go To Project Page

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    Embroidered Shrink Plastic Pendant Tutorial

    Add embroidery to shrink plastic to create new textures The Zen of Making

    Add some embroidery to shrink plastic to create additional surface design and texture. This technique could be used to create matching pins and other items of jewelry.

    Go To Project Page

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    Shrink Plastic Tips and Tutorial

    Shrink plastic tutorial with hints and tips from Ishtar Olivera Ishtar Olivera

    This tutorial is in Spanish and English and shows how to make cute little pins by drawing characters onto shrink plastic.

    Go To Project Page

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    Make a Statement Necklate

    Make a statement necklace printing onto shrink plastic Stay at Home Artist

     Printable shrink plastic is at the heart of this project. A vintage rose design is used to create the elements of a stunning piece of statement jewelry.

    Go To Project Page

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    Shrink Plastic Bangle

    With a little careful cutting beautiful items of jewelry can be made with ease. Yoonie At Home

    This isn't a tutorial as such, however, it clearly shows how to make this type of filigree bangle using shrink plastic and a little careful cutting.

    Go To Project Page

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    DIY Upcycle Food Containers to Make Shrink Plastic

    Recycle food containers into shrink plastic Refab Diaries

    While you can buy shrink plastic in a variety of colors and sizes, did you know that you can also recycle plastic food containers and use as shrink plastic? A great way to recycle and save money!

     Go To Project Page

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    Make Shrink Plastic Ring Bowls

    Make shrink plastic ring bowls Alisa Burke

    This project entails working a little larger to create a pretty ring bowl. This would make a great handmade gift.

     Go To Project Page

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    Faux Fused Glass Techniques

    Use shrink plastic to create faux fused glass pendants Tammy Tutterow

    This tutorial shows how to achieve unusual and eye-catching faux fused glass effects using some clever techniques working with shrink plastic. 

    Go To Project Page

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    Geometric Shrink Plastic Pendant Tutorial

    Stylish geometric pendant tutorial Hideous Dreadful Stinky Blog

     Here's proof, if any was needed, that incredibly stylish pieces of jewelry can be made using simple craft techniques and shrink plastic.

    Go To Project Page

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    Color Shrink Plastic With Alcohol Inks

    Use alcohol inks to color shrink plastic Colour Lovers

    Use alcohol inks to add vibrant color to shrink plastic. This is perfect for creating elements to make jewelry and accessories.

    Go To Project Page

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    Add Paint to Shrink Plastic

    Add color and texture to shrink plastic with paint Dollar Store Crafts

    This detailed tutorial examines in-depth adding paint to shrink plastic to add both color and texture to the finished piece.

    Go To Project Page

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    Cat Pendant Tutorial

    Shrink plastic cat pendant tutorial Noly Gil

     This tutorial is in Spanish, however, the photos are clear and demonstrate how to make these cute cat pendants.

    Go To Project Page

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    How to Weave Shrink Plastic

    Make a woven shrink plastic soap dish Instructables

     What a great idea! Learn how to weave shrink plastic to create a wonderful textured surface. The technique has been used here to create a soap dish, however, it would also make a great element for jewelry and accessories.

    Go To Project Page

    I hope that the projects and tutorials in this roundup have demonstrated some of the exciting ways that shrink plastic can be used. Do pin and share this craft roundup and remember to come back and see what else I have for you! Kate