Free Printable Halloween Shrinky Dink Templates
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Download free, printable Halloween Shrinky Dink templates ready to shrink and use for your Halloween crafts. We love making them, and here is the ultimate guide on how to make Shrinky Dinks.
- Download ready-to-use Shrinky Dink patterns perfect for Halloween crafts without hunting for designs elsewhere
- Learn which templates work best and how to use them effectively to avoid common printing and shrinking mistakes
- Discover pro tips that help you create polished Halloween Shrinky Dinks on your first try
You can even make your own DIY shrinky dink material out of take-out containers you might already have.
DIY shrinky dinks
You can use these patterns to make necklaces, charm bracelets, keychains and more. And in case you don’t know what shrinky dinks are, they are plastic sheets that you decorate and then they shrink down in the oven when you heat them. I had a blast making them as a kid and I still love doing it. They shrink to about 1/3 of their original size. And it’s oodles of fun! The perfect shrinky dink craft for many occasions.
For more Halloween ideas for young kids, check this out. And for more holiday ideas for daycare, check this out. And if you want to participate in the teal pumpkin project and include more kids in the fun, check this out.
For more ideas on homemade art supplies you can make from what you have, check this post out.
Materials:
- blank shrinky dink material (get the pre sanded that are opaque and ready to go so you won’t have to sand the clear ones or make your own like it shows above in the DIY tutorial link)
- something to color them with. Find out the best colors to use on shrinky dinks here. If you choose markers, here are the best markers for Shrinky Dinks to help you get the best results.
- scissors
- hole punch
- cookie sheet or aluminum foil pie plate
- something to string your shrinky dinks on, keychains, chains, etc.
Can you use colored pencils on shrinky dinks?
You absolutely can! To see which mediums work best on your shrinky dinks, check out the highlighted link above.
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Print the template on PAPER.
- Position the shrinky dink plastic over your design with the rough side facing up.
- Trace the image with a black marker, colored pencil, or twisty crayon
- Color the image.
- Cut out the shrinky dink.
- Punch a hole in the top. (Make sure to do this step BEFORE baking!)
- Place the shrinky dink on a pan with the rough side still facing up.
- Put it in the oven and watch! It will curl up and then flatten out. Once it flattens, wait 30 seconds and then take it out.
- Let cool for 10 minutes or more.
You can use parchment paper to protect your pans from any kind of contamination. You can also place a piece over the top to help the curled up pieces not stick together. If any edges touch and fuse together, don’t panic, just pull them out, loosen with a spatula and press flat and then put them back in the oven. They can usually be saved this way.
Next, grab some pliers and open your jump ring or keyring and slide the cooled shrinky dink on whatever you’re making and voila! A work of art!
Shrinky dink templates
For more fun shrinky dink ideas, check out these posts:
- 4th of July shrinky dinks
- Shrinky dink Christmas ornaments
- St. Patricks day shrinky dink patterns
- Handprint keychains
- 24 Free Thanksgiving Shrinky Dink Patterns
- 24 Free Fall Shrinky Dink Patterns
- 24 Free Sports Shrinky Dink Patterns
Free Printable shrinky dink patterns for Halloween
Click below to check out our cool free printable shrinky dink patterns for Halloween:
And don’t forget this printable pumpkin lapbook activity!
Check out these really fun paper dolls you can dress in Halloween costumes. Also, if you have a loved one with autism, you can print out these teal pumpkin Halloween signs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Shrinky Dinks?
Shrinky Dinks are thin sheets of special plastic that can be drawn on, colored, cut into shapes and heated in the oven. As the plastic heats, it curls and shrinks into a smaller, thicker and sturdier version of the original design.
The finished pieces can be turned into necklaces, bracelets, zipper pulls, keychains, backpack charms, magnets and ornaments.
How Do I Use the Free Halloween Shrinky Dink Templates?
Print the templates on ordinary paper. Place the Shrinky Dink plastic over the printed designs with the rough side facing up. Trace each design, color it, cut it out and punch any needed holes before baking.
The printable template is a tracing guide. Do not run ordinary Shrinky Dink plastic through your printer unless the package specifically says it is printable and provides printing instructions.
Which Side of Shrinky Dink Plastic Do You Color?
Color the rough or sanded side of the plastic. The textured surface gives colored pencils and other art materials something to grip.
If you are using clear plastic that is smooth on both sides, lightly sand one side according to the product instructions before coloring it. Pre-sanded plastic saves time and is especially convenient when working with children.
Can You Use Colored Pencils on Shrinky Dinks?
Yes. Colored pencils work especially well on frosted or pre-sanded Shrinky Dink plastic. They create the hand-colored texture you can see in these Halloween designs.
Colors become darker and more concentrated as the plastic shrinks, so children do not need to press extremely hard or cover the design with very heavy layers.
Can You Use Markers on Shrinky Dinks?
Markers can be used, but the best type depends on the plastic. Permanent markers generally work better on smooth plastic, while colored pencils work well on rough or sanded surfaces.
Water-based washable markers may bead up, smear or fail to dry on slick plastic. Test your art supplies on a small scrap before using them on an entire design.
How Small Will the Designs Become?
Most Shrinky Dink plastic shrinks to approximately one-third of its original size, although the exact amount varies by brand.
Make the unbaked design larger than you want the finished charm to be. Remember that the punched hole will shrink too.
Do I Need to Punch the Hole Before Baking?
Yes. If you want to turn the finished piece into a necklace, bracelet, keychain or hanging charm, punch the hole before putting it in the oven.
A standard hole punch usually creates a good-sized opening before shrinking. Trying to drill or punch a hole after baking can crack the finished piece.
Keep the hole away from the very edge so the plastic does not split. An adult may need to help young children position and operate the hole punch.
What Temperature Do You Use for Shrinky Dinks?
I bake mine at 325°F, but always check the instructions included with your particular brand of shrink plastic. Recommended temperatures and baking times can vary.
Preheat the oven before putting the pieces inside. An adult should handle the oven, hot pan and freshly baked plastic.
How Long Do Shrinky Dinks Stay in the Oven?
Watch the pieces through the oven window. They will normally curl, twist and move before beginning to flatten again.
Once a piece has flattened, allow it to remain in the oven for approximately 30 additional seconds or follow the directions on your package. Let the finished pieces cool for at least 10 minutes before children handle them.
Why Are My Shrinky Dinks Curling?
Curling is a normal part of the shrinking process. The plastic may bend dramatically and look as though something has gone wrong, but it will usually flatten as it continues heating.
Avoid opening the oven too quickly. Give the plastic time to complete the process.
What If a Shrinky Dink Curls and Sticks to Itself?
If the edges touch and fuse, remove the pan carefully and let an adult gently separate them with a spatula or another heat-safe tool. Flatten the piece and return it to the oven so it can finish shrinking.
Placing parchment paper underneath the pieces and another sheet loosely over the top may help prevent badly curled edges from sticking together. Do not use wax paper in the oven.
How Do You Keep Shrinky Dinks Flat?
Place the designs on a flat baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Space them apart so curling pieces cannot easily touch each other.
If a piece is still slightly wavy when it comes out, an adult can immediately place a flat heat-safe object over it for a few seconds while the plastic is still warm. Never allow children to touch the hot pan or plastic.
Can I Make Shrinky Dinks From Recycled Plastic?
Some clean plastic takeout containers marked with recycling number 6 may shrink when heated. However, results can vary significantly, and not every reused container is suitable.
Only use plastic whose type you can identify confidently, work in a well-ventilated area and keep children away from the oven. Purchased craft shrink film gives more predictable results.
Can Preschoolers Make Shrinky Dinks?
Preschoolers can enjoy tracing and coloring the designs with close adult supervision. Adults should handle cutting difficult shapes, operating the hole punch when necessary, and every part of the heating process.
This project works especially well when the adult prepares the plastic and lets each child choose and color a favorite Halloween character.
Are Shrinky Dinks Safe for Children?
Shrinky Dinks can be a fun children’s craft when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions and with attentive adult supervision.
Children should not handle the oven, hot baking pan or warm plastic. Keep small finished charms, jump rings and other jewelry findings away from babies and young children because they can present a choking hazard.
What Can I Make With Halloween Shrinky Dinks?
The finished designs can be used to make:
- Necklaces
- Charm bracelets
- Keychains
- Backpack or zipper charms
- Magnets
- Earrings for older children or adults
- Garland decorations
- Halloween ornaments
- Gift tags
- Non-candy Halloween favors
Use jump rings or key rings to attach the cooled pieces. Pliers make it easier to open and close small metal rings securely.
