How to Press and Preserve Flowers

Preserving flowers is a beautiful way to cherish memories, create decorative crafts, or simply enjoy nature’s beauty for longer. Whether you’re saving flowers from a special occasion or just want to experiment with flower pressing, several techniques can help you maintain their color, shape, and delicacy.

Choosing the Right Flowers for Pressing

Not all flowers press and preserve equally well. The best flowers for pressing are those with naturally flat petals or minimal moisture content. Some ideal choices include:

• Pansies

• Daisies

• Violets

• Ferns

• Lavender

• Baby’s breath

• Rose petals (not whole roses)

Flowers with thick stems or high water content, such as succulents or lilies, are harder to press and may mold during the process.

How to Press Flowers

There are multiple methods for pressing flowers, depending on how quickly you want results and the materials available.

1. Traditional Book Pressing Method

This is the easiest and most accessible way to press flowers, requiring only a book and some absorbent paper.
Materials Needed:

• Heavy book (like an old dictionary)

• Parchment paper or blotting paper

• Scissors (optional)

• Additional weight (such as more books)

Steps:

1. Pick fresh flowers and remove excess moisture by patting them with a paper towel.

2. Open a heavy book to the middle and place a sheet of parchment paper inside.

3. Arrange flowers carefully on the paper, ensuring they don’t overlap.

4. Cover them with another sheet of parchment paper and close the book gently.

5. Place additional books or weights on top to apply even pressure.

6. Leave them undisturbed for 2-4 weeks. Check after two weeks for dryness.

2. Flower Press Method

A flower press is a structured way to press flowers with wood panels, screws, and blotting paper.
Materials Needed:

• Wooden flower press (or two wooden boards)

• Blotting paper

• Screws and wingnuts

Steps:

1. Layer blotting paper inside the press.

2. Arrange flowers between sheets of paper.

3. Tighten the screws to apply even pressure.

4. Keep the press in a dry, dark place for about two weeks.

5. Check periodically and remove when fully dry.

3. Microwave Flower Pressing

This is a quick method that takes just a few minutes instead of weeks.
Materials Needed:

• Microwave-safe dish

• Parchment paper

• Two ceramic tiles or microwave flower press

Steps:

1. Place flowers between two sheets of parchment paper.

2. Sandwich them between two microwave-safe tiles or ceramic plates.

3. Microwave in 30-second intervals, checking for dryness.

4. Continue microwaving until the flowers are completely dry (usually within 2 minutes).

4. Ironing Method

An alternative for those who need pressed flowers quickly for craft projects.
Materials Needed:

• Parchment paper

• Iron

• Heavy book

Steps:

1. Arrange flowers between two sheets of parchment paper.

2. Preheat an iron to a low setting (no steam).

3. Press the iron over the paper for 10-15 seconds.

4. Lift the iron, allow the paper to cool slightly, and repeat until dry.

How to Preserve Pressed Flowers

Once your flowers are dried and pressed, preservation is key to maintaining their color and structure.

1. Using a Sealant

• Spray with acrylic sealant or hairspray to prevent fading.

• Avoid excessive handling to maintain their shape.

2. Laminating

• Encasing pressed flowers in plastic preserves them for use in bookmarks or decorations.

• Use a laminator or self-adhesive laminating sheets.

3. Embedding in Resin

• Ideal for making jewelry, coasters, or decorative items.

• Pour a thin layer of resin, place the flowers, then seal with another layer.

4. Framing for Display

• Arrange pressed flowers between glass panes or in a shadow box.

• Keep out of direct sunlight to prevent fading.

Creative Uses for Pressed Flowers

Once you have beautifully preserved flowers, you can use them in many creative ways:

• Handmade greeting cards

• Personalized bookmarks

• Decorative wall art

• Scrapbooking

• Resin jewelry or coasters

• Candle embellishments

Final Tips for Success

• Use flowers at their freshest for best results.

• Change blotting paper every few days to avoid mold.

• Store pressed flowers in a dry, dark place if not using them immediately.

Preserving flowers through pressing is a rewarding and simple way to extend their beauty. With the right techniques, your pressed flowers can last for years, adding a natural and artistic touch to various projects.