Tutorial - How to Flatten a Plastic Cup (Part 2 - Cut, Tape & Hole Punch)

In Part 1 I showed you several of my creative designs that I made repurposing plastic cups or containers into various fun things.  I also provided detailed instructions on how to flatten the plastic cup/container with heat using an iron.

So for Part 2, I will show you how to cut, tape and hole punch the plastic cup/container.  Why do I tape it?  Because whether you are making a notepad,  crocheting around or any other craft project, the ink will eventually fade or scratch off.  The tape protects the ink.

Let's get started - you will need the following items:

• Scissors or Desktop Paper Cutter
• Clear Tape or Clear Shelf Paper
• Hole puncher of choice ...(I absolutely love the Bind It All puncher)
  

 

1. Cutting:

Make the first cut on one side to flatten an edge.  





 

 

Turn the cup/container to even cut the top edge.

 

Turn the cup/container to even cut the other side.

 

Turn the cup to even cut the bottom edge.  You cup/container should now be completely even all around.

 

 

 

2.  Taping:

 

Before taping, I encourage you to wipe the container front and back with a clean damp cloth.  From my experience, good and bad, believe me the tape will pick up everything - stray hair, finger prints, etc.. even things you didn't know was there.



 

Starting at one edge slowly lay the tape down over the plasic cup/container to the other side using your fingers to squeeze out any air bubbles. 

Important note - once you lay the plastic down, unless it is a white background, I would not suggest lifting the tape up completely because it will remove the ink.  If you lift the tape up, do it slowly in a small section so you can easily put it back down in the same spot.  

Cover the cup/container completely front and back. 

 

 

This is the time you will want to size down the cup/container based on your intended design. 

 



3.  Hole Punching:

 

Using the tool of choice, depending on whether you want round or square holes, begin punching holes evenly spaced around.  That is why I like the Bind It All puncher because it evenly spaces the holes and is alot faster than if I punched the holes myself. 

 

When finished, you can leave the squared corners or round them depending on your project design.

  

 

 



 

Spiral Notebooks made from Fast Food Plastic Cups and Plastic Containers (e.g. CoolWhip, Parkay, etc.)

I have received several emails since introducing Plastique Recreations newest product line - plastic spiral notebooks - asking what made me think to create this.

We all know that there's a lot more to plastic than just plastic bags. Plastic comes in many shapes, sizes and textures. Everyone also knows that I am making it a personal challenge to do what I can to keep what I can out of the landfill.

I decided it was high time (again) to get creative beyond plastic bags and think outside the proverbial 'box' - and in my case, outside the 'cup' or 'container'.

Firstly, I had to decide what plastic item was I going to tackle... it just so happens I had just finished drinking a large diet coke from Burger King. I noticed a trend from some of our favorite fast food restaurants like Burger King, Taco Bell, McDonald's, etc. that large drinks are served in plastic cups. After I cut the bottom off the cup and layed it out flat, my first thought was to poke holes and crochet around it eventually turning it into a tote - very similar to what I did with the Coca Cola plastic cup

but then I thought, I do enough of those already. Then I looked around and knew an idea would hit me eventually and it did - a notebook.....

I love notebooks - I carry them in all my bags/totes and purses. They sit next to every telephone in my house and on every table sitting next to a chair in every room. I go through a lot of note paper because I'm always jotting down ideas; I typically have a running grocery list because I'm not going to remember on Friday what we needed or ran out of on Tuesday; my husband is always asking ME of all people to remind him that we have to do this or that later. You get the idea. And, I'm really rough on notebooks. The cardboard cover typically wears out, fades or just tears off before I even make it through half the notebook paper.

It was the perfect idea and more importantly, more conducive to my lifestyle!!! That's when I converted the plastic cup into a plastic cup spiral notebook ... it won't wear out, won't tear and what's even more awesome, you can bend it and curl it to fit in any pocket. When you unfold it, it goes back to it's original shape. I ask you, just how awesome is that???

But the creative juices were flowing even faster, I couldn't stop myself. I had to take it a step further - if I can do this with a plastic cup, I can do this with some of the plastic containers I wash out and reuse for left overs. Do you know how many margarine tubs and other plastic containers I have in my cabinets, my sewing room and my garage? I reuse them for everything. I turned this beautiful plastic tub into

This fantastic plastic spiral notebook

And, that's my story of how the plastic cup and plastic container spiral notebooks were born!!!

Now I know what you're thinking - now that I've used the plastic container, what good is the lid. Ye of such little faith in me.... stay tuned because I will show you how I 'reused' the lid.