[Solved] Testing the Best Way and Temperature to Bake 100-Yen Shrink Plastic
The hardest part for shrink plastic beginners is baking it well
Hello, this is Kanahina ☆
When you start making shrink plastic crafts, the step that often causes the most confusion is baking. You may know that it goes into a toaster, but what temperature should you use? What does “low heat” actually mean? What if your toaster has no temperature setting?
In this article, I tested which temperature bakes shrink plastic with the least warping.
I used a toaster with temperature settings from 80°C to 230°C
For this test, I compared two types of toaster: one that can be set from 80°C to 230°C, and another that switches between top heat, bottom heat, and top-and-bottom heat. I also own a steam toaster, the Healsio Griller, but it did not work well for shrink plastic and the steam fogged the window, so I do not recommend it for this use.
For the test pieces, I used Daiso Kyucotto shrink plastic, 0.3 mm white.
To reduce individual differences, I baked two pieces at each temperature. I did not press the pieces after baking; I checked them as they came out of the toaster.
These are the pieces before baking. Each circle is 25 mm in diameter.
Here are the baking results
At 80°C and 100°C, the heat was not enough, and the plastic did not shrink properly.
One piece barely shrank, but the other did not shrink any further even after more than two minutes in the toaster, so I ended the test.
The one piece that did shrink was clearly larger than the pieces baked at higher temperatures, and it did not flatten neatly.
For the other temperatures, the finished sizes were almost the same. However, 120°C and 140°C produced cleaner shapes, while higher temperatures seemed more likely to cause distortion.
Shrink plastic naturally shrinks at different rates vertically and horizontally, so some warping is unavoidable. Still, it is better to keep that warping as small as possible.
With the toaster that switches between top heat, bottom heat, and both, the difference was not huge, but bottom heat seemed to make the roundest shape.
Looking at the back side, pieces baked at 180°C or higher and pieces baked with top-and-bottom heat had melted corners and small burrs.
What I learned from this test
After testing several temperatures, my impression is that 120–140°C works best if your toaster has temperature control. If your toaster only has heater settings, bottom heat gave the cleanest result.
At 80°C and 100°C, the plastic did not shrink enough, while 230°C caused visible burrs and rough edges.
After comparing the two toaster types, I found the temperature-controlled toaster easier to use.
If you plan to buy a toaster for shrink plastic crafts, check whether it has temperature settings.
Because every toaster has slightly different power, please use this test as a reference and find the best temperature for your own toaster 😊
If you are not sure what to buy, I have included links to the shrink plastic and toaster I use.
When buying shrink plastic online, I usually recommend Amazon.
Sometimes a 10-pack is cheaper than buying from a 100-yen shop, so I often order it there.
It also arrives quickly, and if you have Amazon Prime, shipping is often free.
Please take a look from the link below 😊
For the toaster, I use the following model because it has temperature control, is not too expensive, and is easy to handle 😊
I have been making shrink plastic accessories for about 15 years, and this toaster is currently one of the easiest to use. The finish has been very good for me 💕
I also prepared frequently asked questions about shrink plastic, so please use the section below as a reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q.1Can I shrink plastic without using a toaster?
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A.1
You can also shrink it with an embossing heat tool.
However, with a heat tool, areas that do not receive hot air will not shrink, so it is not suitable for large pieces. The air flow can also blow the plastic away, so be careful.
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Q.2Can some toasters be too powerful?
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A.2
Yes. Heat strength differs depending on the toaster, so I recommend doing a small test bake first and finding the temperature that works best for your model.
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Q.3How long should shrink plastic be baked?
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A.3
It depends on the temperature, but once placed in the toaster, it usually curls and shrinks within a few seconds. Do not rush. Wait until the piece flattens out and stops moving; that is the sign that it is done.
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Q.4Does the baking time or temperature change with different thicknesses?
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A.4
Yes, thickness can affect both time and temperature.
I tried sheets from 0.15 mm to 0.4 mm. Thinner sheets tend to finish a little faster, but rather than relying only on time, remove the piece when its movement and shape show that it is done.
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Q.5If the piece becomes warped after baking, can I fix the shape?
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A.5
While it is still hot, you can gently press it with something flat, such as a book or the bottom of a can.
If you used markers or color materials, the color may transfer, so it is safer to sandwich the piece between sheets of copy paper.
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Q.6What should I be careful about when baking shrink plastic in a toaster?
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A.6
The toaster becomes very hot. Be especially careful when removing the plastic, and use work gloves or thin silk gloves.
Silk gloves are also useful when bending warm shrink plastic because they leave fewer fabric marks. You can often find them at 100-yen shops.
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Q.7Should I add designs and colors before baking?
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A.7
In most cases, add your design and color before baking. You can also add color after baking with acrylic paint. Because colors become darker after shrinking, use lighter layers when working with colored pencils or pastels.
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Q.8Why did bubbles appear after baking?
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A.8
Bubbles can appear when the coloring material is applied unevenly or when the piece is overheated.
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Q.9What can I do if I am not used to baking shrink plastic?
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A.9
The best solution is practice. Repeated test bakes will help you learn the moment when the piece is fully finished.
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Q.10Can the shape change if hot shrink plastic touches something?
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A.10
Yes. While hot, shrink plastic is very soft, so it can deform until it cools. You can also use this property to make three-dimensional pieces.
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Q.11Are the smoke or smell from baking shrink plastic harmful?
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A.11
Within normal use, serious health risks are unlikely, but it is still best to ventilate the room and avoid overheating the material.
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Q.12What is shrink plastic made of?
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A.12
Shrink plastic is a heat-shrinking plastic material mainly made from polystyrene.
Related articles about 100-yen shrink plastic
I have also written other articles about shrink plastic from Daiso, Seria, and Can★Do. Reading them together should help you understand the types sold at 100-yen shops and how to bake them successfully.
