Ribbon Medal Shrinky-Dink Award

Here is an inexpensive way to produce a large number of hanging ribbon medals for awards or special occasions.

You'll be using the oven and a hot glue gun, so please exercise caution when handling hot materials. I seem to enjoy hot-gluing my fingers together, but that's just me.

Step 1 Materials

If you've ever priced having custom ribbon medals made, then you know the astronomical prices charged. With this method, you can make as many identical or unique medals as you need for a nominal cost and a little assembly time. I use 1" ribbon, but you can go larger if needed.

Here you'll see 1" pin backs, 1/4" jewelry rings (two per ribbon), 1" wide ribbon, hot glue gun, don't forget to check your supply of glue sticks, scissors, clear plastic (more on this later). Not shown: cookie sheet, Spray paint (optional), single hole punch, needle nose pliers, ruler, and a Sharpie pen.

I collect those plastic containers from takeout, restaurants, bakery goods, etc. Don't keep the ones with labels, I've had no luck removing them for shrinky use.

Comments

[Katzsta]

I've found that mushrooms usually come in #6 plastic containers, for some reason. So I've been saving up a bunch of blue #6 containers from all the mushrooms that I buy. I have yet to try them out, but they are definitely #6 (at least in the US)

[glogan]

These are some cool award ribbons! They look easy enough to make, but very impressive.

[dchall8]

In looking for Number 6 plastic, I came up pretty blank at Walmart. Came home and found the following on the web.

Number 6 Plastics
PS (polystyrene)
Found in: Disposable plates and cups, meat trays, egg cartons, carry-out containers, aspirin bottles, compact disc cases
Recycling: Number 6 plastics can be recycled through some curbside programs.
Recycled into: Insulation, light switch plates, egg cartons, vents, rulers, foam packing, carry-out containers

Polystyrene can be made into rigid or foam products -- in the latter case it is popularly known as the trademark Styrofoam. Evidence suggests polystyrene can leach potential toxins into foods. The material was long on environmentalists' hit lists for dispersing widely across the landscape, and for being notoriously difficult to recycle. Most places still don't accept it, though it is gradually gaining traction.

Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/recycling-symbols-plastics-460321#ixzz0QXqMNcKZ''

So it looks like number 6 plastic is being used less and less for food items. I wonder what batteries are packed in? You can buy shrinky plastic sheet refills at Amazon. Eight sheets of 8.5x11", for about $5.

[AidanG]

Actually, it's not complete. The plastic? Needs to be #6. Look in the recycle symbol for the number, and be careful. #5 and #6 aren't to easy to tell the difference, and #5 doesn't shrink. ONLY #6 shrinks. Happily, you named the types of plastic that are usually #6. :)

[sirmorrow]

Thanks, I never actually checked the #s. I guess I never ran into one that didn't shrink since, as you said, I named the ones that usually are a 6. You are right that the 6 is a little more brittle and shrinks more consistently.

[AidanG]

Yeah... I tried #5, and it didn't shrink at all. There are a couple of tutorials on the net about it:

http://unplugyourkids.com/2008/06/15/homemade-shrinky-dinks-weekly-unplugged-project/
http://www.curbly.com/Chrisjob/posts/2252-diy-shrinky-dinks
http://crafterella.blogspot.com/2009/04/homemade.html

and more...

[dchall8]

Just as I was ready to hammer you hard for not providing details on how to do this, I looked back at the yellow spots in your numerous pictures. Although your approach is unconventional, it does provide the needed instructions to complete these medals. The problem for readers is that we cannot simply print your Instructable to keep it handy. Still, thank you for posting. Now I have an excuse to go buy some grocery store bakery cookies, heh, heh!!

[sirmorrow]

Thanks for the tip. Didn't think about printing and how people actually use this site. Only my third ible. I'll go back and edit the printable portions to contain the details.