How Do I Fuse Shrink Plastic?
by Maria Nerius, Craft Concierge

Supplies Needed

• Shrink Plastic:  three different colors or color your own (at least three different colors)
• Sharp Scissors
• Toaster Oven preheated to 325 degrees
• Cooking sheet
• Glass or Pyrex baking pan
  
  Optional:
• Permanent inks or oil-based coloring pencils
• Hole punch

General Instructions

1. Cut out at least three different sized shapes using three different colors. You want to be able to stack or layer the shapes onto each other. If you don’t have three different colors of shrink plastic you can create your own by coloring a clear or frosted piece of shrink plastic.
2. Place the shrink plastic pieces into your preheated toaster oven and bake for 1-3 minutes until plastic stops moving and lays flat. Remove and allow to cool.
3. Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees.
4. Stack the shrunk plastic onto a glass or Pyrex baking pan. At this temperature the plastic pieces will fuse into each other. You want to fuse until all edges of the shrink plastic are rounded or melted. This should take about 15-30 minutes. Never leave the shrink plastic unattended (as it can burn!).
5. Once fused, remove the pan from oven and place on a heat safe flat surface.  Allow to cool completely.

Additional Information

Create and bake in a well-ventilated area. Do not broil the shrink plastic, bake no higher than 450 degrees. Ovens can vary so always watch as shrink plastic bakes. If any plastic sticks to your cooking pans, just place in refrigerator for 15-30 minutes and plastic should scrape off easily.

Also note that you must use at least 1/4" hole punch if you want a hole to remain open during fusing. Holes must be punched before the first baking of the shrink plastic.

This is a great way to use any leftover scraps of shrink plastic. Sprinkle all the scraps over a shape foundation or base.

When you first remove the fused shrink plastic you can manipulate it with a needle tool. Try swirling or giving a marbleized effect to the colors. You can also add embossing powder, pastel-chalk dusting, or pearlized inks at this hot stage for more texture and interest.