How To Make - Shrink Art for Inkjet Printers

Learn how to print, bake, and decorate your own shrink art with inkjet shrink plastic—perfect for custom ornaments, keepsakes, jewelry, and more!

🧵 The Versatility of Poly-Shrink

Before committing to a shrink sheet, print your design on regular paper to test the scale. Remember: shrink plastic reduces to roughly 40% of its original size.

✨ Color Boost: Lightening your images in your editor leads to better saturation after they shrink and darken.
✨ Zero Waste: If you don't like a print, you can wash off the wet ink, dry the sheet, and try again!
✨ Handle with Care: Dry your sheets flat overnight. Handle by the edges only to prevent smudging.

🔥 How to Bake Your Creations

1️⃣ Cut designs out and punch holes (1/8" works best) before baking.
2️⃣ Place on a flat, non-stick cookie sheet or parchment paper.
3️⃣ Preheat oven to 300°F and bake for roughly 4 minutes.
4️⃣ Watch as pieces curl, shrink, and then flatten out.
5️⃣ Remove while flat and press with a heavy book while still warm.

🎨 Decorating and Embellishing

While warm, you can shape pieces with pencils or household objects. Add flair using:

💎 Dimensional paint, sequins, and glitter glue.
💎 Permanent markers, craft foam, or ribbons.
💎 Use a dab of super glue to attach jewelry hardware or pins.

📏 Large Object Pro-Tips

Larger shapes (over 1/2 sheet) may curl or stick. Prevent this with the Foil Envelope Technique:

Dust the inside of an aluminum foil folder with a trace of baby powder.
Place the sheet inside (print side down) and bake directly on the oven rack.
Move to a tray once partially shrunk to finish flattening.

💧 Waterproofing & Preservation

Inkjet inks are not naturally waterproof. To protect your keepsakes:

🖌️ Apply 3 light coats of waterproof sealant or spray varnish.
🖌️ Ensure each coat is fully dry before applying the next.
🖌️ Never use a microwave for any part of the shrink process.

Inkjet shrink art is part science and part magic. With a little practice, you'll learn how to adjust your digital designs for consistent, vibrant results every time!