How to Make Shrink Plastic Charms at Home

Shrink plastic is one of the most beginner-friendly crafts out there — all you need is a printer, scissors, an oven (or heat gun), and a printable template. Here's how the process works from start to finish.

What you'll need

• Shrink plastic sheets (sold for inkjet or laser printers — check which one matches your printer)
• A printable shrink plastic template
• Scissors or a craft knife
• A hole punch, if you're making a keychain or earring
• An oven or heat gun

Step 1: Print your template

Print the design directly onto the rough side of your shrink plastic sheet, following your printer's manual feed instructions if needed.

Step 2: Cut out each design

Cut around each shape carefully — shrink plastic shrinks roughly to a third of its original size, so any rough edges will shrink along with the design.

Step 3: Punch your hole before shrinking

If you're adding a jump ring for a keychain or earring, punch the hole now, before shrinking. It's much harder — and riskier — to add a hole after the plastic has already shrunk and hardened.

Step 4: Shrink it

Place your pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake according to your shrink plastic brand's instructions (typically around 150°C for a few minutes). The plastic will curl dramatically before flattening back out — that's completely normal.

Common beginner mistakes

• Not flattening the piece with a spatula right after it comes out of the oven if it lands curled — you have a few seconds while it's still warm.
• Forgetting to punch the hole before baking.
• Overcrowding the baking sheet, which can cause pieces to stick together as they shrink.