NEW! Backpack Tags

By: Amanda Formaro Use fun shrinkable plastic to make personalized or character tags for your backpack, lunch box, umbrella, or even your jacket! These are a really fun way to carry around permanent pictures of you and your best friend, or a way to display your favorite cartoon character. What you'll need: • Shrinkable plastic • Key rings or lanyard hooks • Clear jewelry cord • Scissors • Hole punch • Water based markers • Acrylic sealer spray, matte finish • Cookie sheet • Brown paper grocery bag or a few brown lunch bags • Rubber stamps (optional) How to make it: 1. There are a few different types of shrinkable plastic to choose from. We found the kind made specifically for ink jet printers worked best because it allows you to use clip art and photographs for this project. Note that you will need to have a graphics or photo program on your computer that allows you to change the lightness setting of your images. You can also scan images to use for this project. If you're using inkjet shrinkable plastic, please follow the instructions on the package for best results. If you're using standard shrinkable plastic, use markers or colored pencils to write the child’s name and grade (along with their teacher’s name), and use a rubber stamp to add a design or character for your child to color in. Remember to write the words large enough to allow for the shrinkage that will occur. 3. Cut out the designs and use a hole punch at the end of the “tag”. Remember that the plastic shrinks to about a third its size which means the holes shrink too! You will need to make it about three times larger than you think it should be. 4. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for baking your designs. 5. Spray with acrylic sealer spray and allow to dry. 6. Run a piece of clear jewelry cord through the hole and attach both ends to a lanyard hook or key ring. Tips: Remember that the plastic shrinks to about 1/3 of the original size. Also, one brand mentioned in their directions that shrinkable plastic tends to shrink more one direction than the other.