How to Keep Large Shrinky Dinks From Curling

Written By
Jaimie Zinski
Jaimie Zinski
Published: Dec 24, 2010
Updated: Feb 23, 2021
1 minute read

Shrinky Dinks were a popular children’s toy in the 1980s and consisted of thin sheets of plastic that were cut into shapes; when heated in the oven, the shapes expanded and hardened. Once removed from the heat source, the Shrinky Dinks could then be decorated and played with. It is possible to prevent the corners of larger Shrinky Dinks from curling to ensure the finished product does not emerge from the oven looking warped.

Things You'll Need:

Things You Will Need

  • Pad Of Paper
  • Tin Snips
  • Oven Mitts
  • Cookie Sheet
  • Metal Screen
  • Oven Or Toaster Oven
  • Lay the Shrinky Dink piece onto a cookie sheet.

    Place a piece of metal screen over the Shrinky Dink. The screen can be cut to fit the size of the Shrinky Dink with a pair of tin snips. The metal screen will prevent curling from occurring while the Shrinky Dink is in the oven.

    Allow the Shrinky Dink to cook for one to three minutes in the heat source, such as an oven or toaster oven.

    Remove the Shrinky Dink with a pair of oven mitts. Quickly remove the metal screen with the oven mitts and replace it with a pad of paper. This will prevent curling from occurring when the Shrinky Dink is cooling, which takes approximately 15 seconds.

    Remove the pad of paper from the Shrinky Dink and decorate.

    Jaimie Zinski

    Residing in Chippewa Falls, Wis., Jaimie Zinski has been writing since 2009. Specializing in pop culture, film and television, her work appears on Star Reviews and various other websites. Zinski is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in history at…

    Sponsored
    Our Pastimes Logo

    A destination for the avid collector and weekend hobbyist alike, Our Pastimes features articles and tips about your favorite cards and games, hobbies and more.

    Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

    Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.