Imagine taking a beautiful flower you found, gently pressing it, and turning it into a timeless piece of art you can keep forever! Whether you’re looking to create a sentimental gift, preserve a memory, or simply add a little nature to your craft projects, pressing flowers is a simple yet magical way to capture the beauty of nature. Guess what? It’s super easy to do at home, and I’m here to show you how!
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the wonderful world of pressed flowers. Get ready for some fun and creativity because when you learn how to press your own flowers, the possibilities are endless!
Why Press Flowers?
Pressed flowers are like little snapshots of nature’s most delicate creations. They add a touch of elegance to everything, from cards and bookmarks to home decor and personalized gifts. They’re like nature’s confetti, ready to sprinkle a little magic wherever they go! Pressing flowers allows you to hold onto fleeting moments, like a beautiful bouquet from a special occasion or a wildflower you picked on a nature walk. It’s like turning memories into keepsakes.
I’m not sure if I need to mention this, but clearly I LOVE pressed flower and ALL the crafts you can make with them.
Are you ready to dive in and start pressing your own flowers? Let’s get to it!
What You’ll Need to Press Flowers Like a PRO
Before we get started, let’s gather up the essentials! Here’s what you’ll need to get your flower-pressing adventure off to a fabulous start:
- Fresh Flowers – You’ll want flowers that are in full bloom but not too wet (rainy flowers need a little drying off before they get pressed). Wildflowers, daisies, pansies, and lavender are perfect for beginners.
- Heavy Books – Old hardcover books work wonders here! If you’ve got a flower press, even better.
- Parchment Paper or Wax Paper – This is your floral friend to prevent the flowers from sticking to your books.
- Scissors – You’ll need these to trim your flowers to size (and maybe do a little snipping to make them fit your design).
- Tweezers – Pressed flowers are delicate, so tweezers help you handle them without damaging those gorgeous petals.
- A Weight – Think a brick or another book to press those flowers with some good ol’ weight.
Step 1: Choose Your Flowers
The most important step in the flower-pressing process is picking the right blooms! Choose flowers that are freshly bloomed, full of color, and not too thick (thin petals will dry better). Here’s a pro tip: avoid flowers that are super wet or have heavy dew on them, because they might mold during the pressing process.
You can press a whole bouquet, or just a few individual petals – it’s entirely up to you and your creative vision! Some popular choices for beginners include:
- Daisies – Simple, sweet, and so easy to work with.
- Wildflowers – If you’re lucky enough to find them, these are the perfect little treasures for pressing.
- Pansies – These vibrant flowers are a personal favorite because they press so beautifully.
Once you’ve chosen your flowers, trim the stems to about an inch or two from the base. Press the flower heads, not the stems, so make sure to cut them down to size.
Step 2: Prep Your Pressing Station
It’s time to get your flowers ready to be pressed! Lay a piece of parchment or wax paper on your work surface, and carefully place your flowers on it. If you’re pressing multiple flowers, make sure they don’t overlap—giving each bloom a little space will help keep their shapes intact.
Pro tip: If you’re working with larger flowers (like roses), consider trimming them a bit to make them fit neatly between the pages of your book or press.
Step 3: Time to Press!
This is where the magic happens! Now that your flowers are all nicely arranged, it’s time to apply some pressure to flatten them and help them dry. If you’re using a flower press, simply tighten the screws or straps to hold everything in place. If you’re using heavy books, carefully place your flower-covered parchment inside, close the book, and stack some more books or any other heavy objects on top. The weight will press the flowers flat and help them dry.
Here’s a fun fact: you can even get a little creative with your presses. Try pressing flowers between other items, like magazine pages or fabric (just make sure to protect everything with parchment paper so the flowers don’t stick to anything!).
Step 4: Wait, Wait, Wait!
Ah, patience. The hardest part of flower pressing is definitely waiting for them to dry, but trust me—it’s totally worth it! Depending on the thickness of your flowers, they’ll need about one to two weeks to fully dry out and become crisp. Keep the presses in a cool, dry place, and be patient! The longer you leave them, the better the results.
Check on them every few days to make sure everything is drying properly. If you notice any moisture or mold, carefully remove the flowers and let them dry for a bit longer before putting them back.
Step 5: The Big Reveal!
After about a week or two, it’s time for the fun part: removing your pressed flowers and seeing the beautiful results! Use tweezers to carefully lift the flowers from the paper. You’ll find that they’re perfectly flattened, vibrant, and ready to be used in all sorts of creative projects.
A fun idea? Pressed flowers make great bookmarks, greeting cards, or framed art. Get creative and experiment with different ways to display your gorgeous blooms! Here are some cute Mother’s Day Pressed Flower Craft Ideas, if you’re interested!
Fun Ideas for Using Your Pressed Flowers
Now that you know how to press flowers like a pro, let’s talk about how to use them in your next DIY project! Pressed flowers can be the perfect finishing touch for all kinds of crafts and gifts. I would put them on EVERYTHING if I could.
1. DIY Greeting Cards or Stationery – How about making a personalized card for a special occasion? Pressed flowers add a unique and thoughtful touch to any card.
2. Floral Art Prints – Arrange your pressed flowers into a beautiful design and frame them for stunning wall art.
3. Press Flower Jewelry – Use small, delicate flowers to create your own one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, like necklaces, earrings, or bracelets.
4. Mother’s Day Magic – The possibilities are endless when it comes to using pressed flowers in Mother’s Day gifts. From custom cards to decorative vases, pressed flowers make the perfect gift for the special moms in your life.
What Now?
Now that you know all the ins and outs of pressing flowers, go ahead and gather your blooms! I can’t wait for you to see how beautiful they turn out. Pressed flowers are a great way to make unique gifts and memories, and they’re the perfect way to bring a little bit of nature into your everyday life.
Looking for inspiration on how to incorporate pressed flowers into your Mother’s Day gifts? You’re in luck! Check out our next article all about Pressed Flower Mother’s Day Gift Ideas to make this Mother’s Day extra special for all those awesome mamas in your life.
