How to Make a DIY Flower-Pressed Wooden Coaster

Making a DIY flower-pressed wooden coaster is a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your home decor or create a unique gift. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make your own flower-pressed wooden coasters:

Materials Needed:

1. Wooden coaster blanks (round or square, depending on your preference)

2. Pressed flowers (choose flowers with flat petals such as daisies, pansies, or violets)

3. Mod Podge (or any other decoupage glue)

4. Paintbrush (for applying glue)

5. Scissors (to trim flowers if necessary)

6. Tweezers (for delicate handling of flowers)

7. Clear acrylic spray sealer (for waterproofing)

8. Parchment paper or wax paper (optional, for pressing flowers)

9. Wood stain or paint (optional, for decorating the coaster)

10. Sandpaper (optional, to smooth out the wood)

Step 1: Prepare the Wood

If you’re starting with unfinished wooden coaster blanks, you’ll first need to sand them down to ensure a smooth surface. Use fine-grit sandpaper and gently sand both sides of the coasters. This step will help the flowers adhere better and also make the surface more pleasant to the touch.

Once you’ve sanded the coaster, you can leave it natural or stain or paint it according to your preference. A light wood stain or white paint can make the pressed flowers pop more. Allow the paint or stain to dry completely before moving to the next step.

Step 2: Press Your Flowers

Pressing flowers is a crucial step. The flowers should be completely flat to avoid bulging when applied to the coaster.

• Method 1: Parchment Paper

  • Place the flowers in between two sheets of parchment paper.

  • Use a heavy book or a flower press to apply pressure. Leave them in a safe place for a few days to ensure they’re fully pressed.

• Method 2: Wax Paper

  • Wax paper works in the same way as parchment paper. Place the flowers inside the wax paper and press them under heavy books for at least 3-5 days.

You can use flowers that are naturally flat, like daisies, or choose more delicate ones like violets and lavender for a more intricate design.

Step 3: Arrange the Flowers on the Coaster

Once the flowers are fully pressed and dried, lay them out on your coaster to design your pattern. You can create a simple flower arrangement in the center, a border of flowers around the edges, or a more artistic design with different flowers scattered across the surface.

Use tweezers to carefully position the flowers on the coaster. This will help you avoid damaging them, as they can be fragile after pressing.

Step 4: Apply Mod Podge

Once your flowers are positioned to your liking, apply a thin layer of Mod Podge over the top of the flowers using a paintbrush. Be gentle so the flowers don’t move out of place. Mod Podge acts as both an adhesive and a sealant, helping the flowers stay in place and giving them a smooth, glossy finish.

Let the Mod Podge dry for about 20-30 minutes, and then apply a second coat. Make sure the entire surface, including the flowers and edges, is covered. Allow the second coat to dry thoroughly before moving to the next step.

Step 5: Add More Coats for Protection

To ensure the flowers are well protected and the coaster is durable, apply 2-3 more coats of Mod Podge, letting each layer dry fully before applying the next. These extra layers help seal the flowers in place and provide a glossy finish.

Step 6: Seal the Coaster

After the Mod Podge layers have dried completely, it’s time to seal the coaster to make it water-resistant. Use a clear acrylic spray sealer for this. Hold the spray about 6-8 inches away from the coaster and apply a light, even coat over the entire surface. Allow it to dry completely. This will protect the flowers and prevent any damage from spills or moisture.

Step 7: Add a Protective Backing

To ensure the back of your coaster is smooth and won’t damage furniture, you can attach a piece of felt or cork. Cut the material into the same shape as the coaster and use glue to attach it. This will also give your coaster a professional finish.

Step 8: Let It Dry and Cure

Before using your coaster, let it dry for a day or two to ensure the glue and sealers are fully cured. Once dry, your DIY flower-pressed wooden coaster is ready to use!

Tips and Variations:

1. Customization: You can experiment with different types of flowers or even leaves, creating different patterns or color schemes to match your home decor.

2. Gift Idea: DIY flower-pressed coasters make great gifts, especially for weddings, birthdays, or housewarmings.

3. Alternative Designs: Instead of pressing flowers, you can also use pressed leaves, feathers, or other natural elements for a different effect.

4. Extra Decoration: Add additional embellishments like small beads, glitter, or even paint details around the flowers for a more intricate design.

This craft is simple but allows for so much creativity. The result is a beautiful, functional piece of art that you can be proud to display in your home or give as a gift!