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How to… use shrink plastic

Card making Papercrafter Techniques

Adding a decorative embellishment can really give your greetings and paper projects an extra touch of love.  While there are loads of fantastic toppers, sparkles and gems on the market that provide some added glitz, texture or depth, there is nothing like creating your own, unique addition to your greetings. One easy way of doing this is by drawing or stamping onto some shrink plastic - just as our designer Tracey Daykin-Jones has done on her Congratulations greeting in our recent issue.

How to… use shrink plastic

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Congratulations Greeting Card

Making your own shrink plastic embellishments may look technical but it’s actually very easy, here’s our five-step guide.

METHOD: STEP ONE

• Draw or stamp your design onto white paper, then trace the image on clear shrink plastic using permanent marker or ink. You can always use an opaque shrink plastic and place your design straight on.

METHOD: STEP TWO

• You can colour the image with permanent makers using dots of colour to avoid streaking or by dabbing alcohol ink on with a cotton wool bud.

METHOD: STEP THREE

• Cut out the design, leaving a border around it and, if you wish to use the motif as a hanging charm, punch a small hole in the top. Now lie flat against a hard surface and use a heat gun to release hot air on to your shape, as it heats the charm will buckle.

METHOD: STEP FOUR

• Heat until the charm flattens, then leave to cool.

METHOD: STEP FIVE

• If you wish, you can use a jump ring to attach the charm to a greeting.

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