Shrinky Dink Drink Tags

I'm gearing up for my upcoming MOPS year.....starting in September! I know, I know. I'm getting a SUPER early start. But, I'm so excited about all the crafts I have planned that I wanted to do a tutorial right away! We'll be making these drink tags in September, but I thought it'd be fun to show YOU how to make 'em now--they're SO useful & handy, especially with the summer months upon us! I use mine ALL the time. It keeps my girls from getting their water bottles mixed up on our outings, picnics & parties!

Gather your supplies! I have lots of shrinky dink material in my stash--some are "rough-n-ready" which is really just a translucent sheet that's smooth on one side & "rough" on the other. It's the easiest to use--just because it's ready right away without any prep work! I also have it in shiny black, white, cream & brown.

You'll also need scissors, a ruler, permanent markers &/or colored pencils & a hole punch. Optional supplies: sandpaper (if you're using shrinky dink sheets that are smooth you'll need this!), decorative scissors & decorative punches.

Before I explain the steps I wanted to explain why I have so many photos in my tutorials. Well, put simply, I LOVE taking pictures! The many photos doesn't equal MANY steps. I just want to make it easy to understand as well. So anyway....The first thing you'll do is sand your shrinky dink sheet if you're using the smooth stuff.
And now you'll measure. The tags start out as 2 1/2" x 8", so cut that size from your sheet. They shrink to 15/16" x 3 1/4".

Now you can use your straight scissors to round the corners (so they're not so sharp & poky)...

...or use your decorative scissors to creative a funky edge!

I LOVE the large scallops, but there are tons of different decorative scissors to choose from. I'm not sure how the smaller detailed decorative scissors will work on the shrinky dink material. I haven't tried that yet.

I used my mini hole punch (1/8" I think) to make decorative details on my tag.


Once again--as in most of my tutorials--I will let you learn from my mistakes. Once the tag shrinks in the oven, those tiny holes will be pretty much too tiny to hang from your bottles. SO, use your regular ole hole punch (1/4" I think) to punch a hole at the top.

If you're using the "rough-n-ready" sheets, here's a handy tip for writing names. Write the name on the smooth side with a dry erase marker.

Then, turn it over to the rough side & trace the name with your permanent marker or colored pencil. This is so that the finished product will look all schnazzy-like on the smooth glossy side.

Decorate your tag in whatever way you wish. You can write the names horizontal or vertical--or however you wish!

Next comes the baking part! I like to set my shrinky dink creations on parchment paper--on top of the cookie sheets before baking. It prevents the tags from sticking to anything. I have also heard that some people lightly dust their pieces with baby powder to prevent them from sticking to each other when baking. I've never done this. But, in September, when I have 30 ladies making this craft for EACH of their kids, I might reconsider.


Here's my hot shot from the oven-cam. Follow the directions that come with your shrinky dink sheets. I used to use a toaster oven to make mine. But, I burnt up my toaster oven a few months ago so that's not an option anymore. I kinda cheat now & just turn the broiler on in my gas oven & watch it bake. It doesn't take long at all, so keep an eye on it at all times. Never leave a shrinking shrinky dink unattended.

If you've never made shrinky dinks before, this part will definitely freak you out. I can just see all the newbie shrinkers faces now....HAHA!!!! Ok, I'm mean. The tags will curl & bend & twist. That's normal. If you were sitting in a burning hot oven you'd probably react the same way. Eventually they will flatten out. That's when you take 'em out. I always pop 'em off the cookie sheet (careful! They're hot!!!) & place them on a hard flat surface & tap them real quick to completely flatten them out (in case they have a bit of curl left in them).

Ta-da! They're done.

I made two tags with the "rough-n-ready" sheets & wrote names on both sides so you could see the difference in the shiny & rough side. They're both cute, but I like the finished name to be on the shiny side. It just looks more complete & finished.

Now you'll want to loop a rubber band through your hole punch. I use my little girls latex hair elastics.

Warning: Fuzzy photos ahead.

Pull the rubber band through the hole...

...loop it back through itself....

...& tighten.

Now you can tie on different colors of 5" lengths of ribbon if you want. Completely optional. My girls love the ribbons.

Now strap the tags over water bottles & you'll never be confused again! We used to have so many random water bottles lying around that would go to waste. Not anymore!! Just don't forget to take your tags off when you recycle your water bottle. The tags are reusable & fantastically useful!!Clicke HERE to find lots of ideas, patterns, trivia, & kits to purchase from the Shrinky Dink website! Did you know shrinky dinks were first sold in 1973?

And you'll be seeing some new Shrinky Dink handmade goodies soon at WhiMSy love!