OVENS |
Ovens vary a lot, so it is very difficult for me to give you a precise temperature. 350° F/ 175ºC (Gas Mark 3) is a guide - you may need to go a little higher. You can use a gas, electric or fan assisted oven, but not a microwave. |
THERMOSTATS |
Thermostats also vary. In addition, your thermostat will be continually turning the heat ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’. Consequently, the heat is always ‘RISING’ or ‘FALLING’. It is not actually constant. This is why you may sometimes experience two different results when shrinking one SHRINKLE after another. |
PRE-HEATING |
It is vital to pre-heat the oven but NOT the foil lined baking tray – this must be cool. If not, this may cause excessive curling and bonding. |
CUTTING |
Do not cut intricate shapes or long narrow pieces, as they are likely to break. |
HOLES |
A standard hole- punch will position a 5mm hole, 7mm from the edge of the plastic. Do not position the hole any closer to the edge as the SHRINKLE could break when you clip a key chain or other attachment on. |
TIMING |
It is impossible to be precise about the length of time that you leave the SHRINKLE in the oven. This will always vary due to the difference in ovens and thermostats as previously mentioned. |
REMOVAL FROM OVEN |
Not until the SHRINKLE is laying flat. If it has an overall slight curve on it, it may well be ready, but it certainly isn’t ready if it is at all “curly” or has a hint of a “bubble” in the middle, or the edges are turned up etc. The vital thing is that it MUST BE PLIABLE albeit for only a few seconds. When you place it under a table mat or book, it is simply to hold it flat whilst it sets. YOU MUST NEVER PRESS IT FLAT! If it is not pliable and you do press it, it will crack. If you discover that it is not pliable as you place it on a work surface, then simply re-heat it in the oven until it is. |
OVEN TOO COOL |
The SHRINKLE will either not shrink, or won’t go flat and certainly won’t be pliable, and may have bubbles. |
OVEN TOO HOT |
The SHRINKLE will curl excessively and bond to itself. ADULTS, if you’re quick to spot this happening in the oven, you can pull the bonded SHRINKLE apart WHILST IT IS PLIABLE, but remember, you’ll only have a few seconds and IT IS VERY HOT, so please be careful. |
FINISHED SHRINKLE |
If you are not happy perhaps because your SHRINKLE is curved or has a bubble, remember you can always re-heat it, but it will take longer the second time. |
SMUDGING |
will occur if you a) colour too heavily b) use soft or waxy pencils - please note “Willies Shrinkles” pencils give the best results, c) lean on the areas you have already coloured. It is therefore best to start at the top of the Shrinkle & work downwards when you are colouring, so that your hand does not rest on the colouring you have done. Alternatively, you could rest your hand on a piece of paper which you place on top of your partially coloured Shrinkle. |