Thread: How-To: Shrink Plastic Buttons

Equipment



Some handy notes:

1. The buttons. The buttons are cut from shrink paper. The brand of shrink paper I used was called Shrinkles from toycrazy.co.uk (I used the frosted type, classroom pack). I’ve used other brands that are frosted, and they work exactly the same. To cut the button shape I use a Fiskars circle punch - size large. To get the centre holes, I used a standard single hole, hole punch. To keep each button the same. Punch a large circle out on some paper, fold it in half, punch a smaller hole in place where the diagram shows. Unfold it, and use it a template to get the sewing holes in exactly the same place every time.



2. The Pens. If you’re going to do this right.. use ZIG Millennium Pens, I really mean it! I spent a lot of money buying different permanent ink pens to experiment with, and ZIG pens were the best. Using this brand means you can wash your buttons and the ink won’t run or fade, whereas all of the other brands I used did (most of the time, the ink didn’t run completely off, but faded a lot!). If you’re going to try and use what you have at home make sure you test it before sewing it to your favorite white cardie!

3. The Template. You can download the template shown in the second photo here.

Okay.. lets get started!



Tracing tips: You can use either coloured pencils or permanent pens. At this initial stage it’s really important to keep the buttons clean from smudges. When you shrink the buttons the colours will intensify. Any smudges (even the ones you can’t see), will become very evident.

Words must be writted backwards in order to be readable. This is because the text is on the rough underside of the button, and once flipped to face the smooth side, the image will be reversed. An easy way to do this is to write your text onto the frosted side of some scrap shrink paper, flip it over, and then trace it as you see it onto your button.

Shrinking the buttons: To shrink the buttons, you can use an oven or a heat gun (the kind used for embellishing). I would recommend using an oven as it’s the easiest way to start. While you’re creating your buttons, pre-heat your oven to 175C (350F). When your buttons are ready, place the button onto some baking paper and then into the oven. Close the door and in seconds you will be able to see the buttons shrink before your eyes!!! (It never gets dull!)

After the buttons have twisted and twirled, and are LYING FLAT, it’s time to take them out.

Note: If the skrinking is taking too long, you may need to turn your oven up.






Find it here

I could see using these to made abutton bracelette ...

Originally Posted by Jolie Rouge

I could see using these to made abutton bracelette ...

Yeah..i bet that would look great! ツ