Have you been itching to try something new? We’re eager to showcase just how easy working with shrink plastic can be. If you’ve ever tried creating with a shrink plastic then you’ll most likely know how easy it is to burn your fingers and that’s the last thing anyone wants. You’ll probably also know that working with small pieces can be a nightmare as they can easily blow away the moment you apply heat from your heat tool. So, when I say that this Sizzix Accessories Tool kit is a game changer… I mean it! Shrinking plastic has never been so easy and effortless.

What are the tools in the Sizzix Shrink Plastic accessories kit?

The tools are made of silicone, meaning your shrink plastic will not stick to them and will hold them in place for you whilst you’re shrinking. You have the silicone round grey mat designed to protect your craft desk. It’s soft and smooth and is handy for a multitude of techniques, not only for shrinking. Think heat embossing, inking, ink smooshing etc. Then you have the circular large Mesh Tool with a very handy silicone surround and a handle. The surround is raised, leaving just the perfect amount of space for your plastic between the mesh and the mat. This also allows for using one hand only. I tend to lift it a touch using the handy little handle to better control the heat application. And finally, we have the very handy Press Tool, which has a pointy fine end to hold your little plastic down on the mat whilst heating, whilst protecting those precious fingers, and then flip and press with the flat end to flatten your piece whilst still hot. It’s easy and fast and the results are fantastic.

These three simple, but cleverly designed tools will help you achieve the best results in a blink of eye. Shrink plastic is fairly easy to work with but you have to apply enough heat to shrink it evenly and holding down little pieces can be tricky. And this is where the press tool and the mesh tools come in really handy.

What’s in the box:

• Press Tool: 13.5x5x5cm
• Heat Resistant Mat: 30x30cm
• Mesh Screen: 22.23x18.42x2.54cm

You will also need:

• Heat tool
• Shrink plastic of your choice

Sizzix shrink plastic and accessories are available from our friends at CraftStash

What are the best things about this kit?

I like the fact that I can keep the fine tip of the Press Tool in a punched hole and apply heat. That way I am left with a good size hole for threading a wire or similar. In the past I used to use a long thick needle, but it can get a little bit too hot for my liking. A long pick with a handle is a much better option in this case. To some extent, I wish one of these was a part of the kit, but it’s certainly not a huge deal, because I have one and can use it, if needed. If you want to be adventurous, try curling a thin strip of still warm shrink plastic around the long part of the Press Tool to make curly long earrings or similar.

There also no more flyaways – the mesh tool takes care of this for you. I like to slightly lift the Mesh Tool whilst still keeping the small plastic underneath, making sure I distribute the heat evenly. I also like the fact that you can heat a few pieces under the mesh in one go, making this step really fast.

Does it take up much space?

You can opt for keeping the box the tools came in and store it that way or you can simply place the two tools into the mat, fold it and slot it in a small space in your craft room. It doesn’t take up much space at all and lives on my desk, handy to be used anytime I feel like making something other than cards. Whether you are a hobbyist or a small handmade jewellery business owner, it will help you create your masterpieces effortlessly and in no time.

What materials is the set compatible with?

You can use this with any shrink plastic, but can easily purchase the white or the clear shrink plastic from Sizzix in most stores. The plastic can be cut with scissors, a craft knife and even your dies, which leads to a ton of creative possibilities. The white plastic usually has a matt and a glossy side so depending on what colouring medium you are using you can decide on which side is better for your project. Test them both to see which works better for you and experiment with different mediums. Bear in mind when deciding, that the plastic is a non-porous medium so consider sealing your project with a resin or a varnish, if it is to be worn or last for years to come.

Is there anything else to consider?

Remember that when shrinking your coloured plastic, the colours will appear darker or brighter as the medium you used to colour the plastic with shrinks at the same time and becomes more concentrated – the projects using alcohol markers are a great example of this. Any pigments applied on the plastic will hold, if applied to a matte side of the plastic. If your plastic doesn’t have a rough side then simply sand it down with a very fine sand paper. Make sure to use a mask and gloves when sanding down so you’re not breathing the fine dust. The same applies to adding varnish or a resin. So, give this a try, work safely and enjoy the process.

Try it out!

Ingrid designed a range of projects using these tools for Simply Cards & Papercraft Issue 225.

The heat tool is not included in this set. This is not a sponsored review and all findings and opinions are Ingrid Vichova’s own and unbiased. This review was originally published in Simply Cards & Papercraft Issue 225 and prices and conversions were correct at the time of going to print.