shrinky dink issues

[dizzylizzy]

I've never used shrinky dinks before, but my bf's mom gave me a whole bunch of shrinky dink paper, so I figured I'd try. Well, I used crayola colored pencils, like everyone recommends, and I followed the instructions as well as i could (um, yeah, 1 to 5 minutes is a bit vague for baking time, especially since my oven doesn't have a little window)

But when I took them out and tried to put split rings on them after they cooled for 10 minutes, colored pencil residue keeps coming off onto my fingers. Did I do something wrong? Leave it in too long? Not long enough?

Please help!

[alana1223]

I spray mine with an acrylic sealer after they cool.

[dizzylizzy]

Ah! genius!

[CheyElizabeth]

Nope you didn't do anything wrong, its just best to use a sealer. I bought a huge 30 pack of multi-colored sharpies and they work perfectly for my shrinky dinks, no sealer required. you should try those =)

[floatingmoon]

Did you sand paper the surface before you color? I sand the plastic very very sand, and the color stays.
I think you can also use nail polish to seal it.

I prefer oil-base color pen, coz the color is vivid and pretty.
(Sharpies is oil-base)
But for oil-base color you cannot use nail polish to seal it, the color come off as u paint the plastic.

You can also found more information here:
the art of shrinkdinking
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=139128.0

[elenione]

I use colored sharpie pens too.. they work like a charm.

[that13 gurl13]

where do you guys buy yuor shrinky dinks?

[red_phooka]

I got a pack at Michaels, and started fiddling around with them the other day. I also found that mine got all scratched and buggered up, so I put the split ring in the hole before I baked them. Worked like a charm (pardon the pun!). The pencil still kinda rubbed off, so I got some acrylic spray for like 4 bucks. Two coats worked wonders

[alana1223]

I put the split ring in the hole before I baked them.

What a great idea!  Cool!

[inked79]

I have been toying with the idea of making earring with shrinky dinks but I'm not sure on the size of the drawings.  I mean how much do they shrink?  Also everyone always says to seal them with acrylic sealer but what brand?  There are hundreds  out there.