How to Keep Large Shrinky Dinks From Curling

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.

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.