A wedding bouquet, a garden clipping, or a roadside wildflower can become a flat, delicate keepsake that lasts for years. Pressed flowers work beautifully in framed art, greeting cards, bookmarks, resin jewellery, and scrapbooks. With a few household supplies and a little patience, you can preserve your favourite blooms at home.<\/p>\n
Avoid glossy or printed paper, which can stick to damp petals. A flower press gives the flattest result, but a heavy book works well too.<\/p>\n
Blues, purples, and yellows hold their colour best. Reds may darken, and white petals often turn cream or brown.<\/p>\n
1. Book Pressing<\/strong> 2. Flower Press<\/strong> 3. Microwave Pressing<\/strong> 4. Iron Pressing<\/strong> Arrange the flower before pressing, because you cannot reposition it afterwards. Press extra ferns and grasses for fillers. Label everything with the flower name and date. Handle dried petals with tweezers, and store finished pieces in a dry, flat container away from damp and direct sunlight.<\/p>\n Make framed botanical art, greeting cards, gift tags, bookmarks, resin pendants, coasters, candles, soap, scrapbook pages, wedding keepsakes, or phone cases. Sandwich petals between clear layers or seal them with adhesive film for a lasting finish.<\/p>\n With the right flowers and a little patience, pressing flowers is a simple way to hold onto a memory for years.<\/p>\n
\nPlace the flower between two sheets of absorbent paper, then between the pages of a heavy book. Close the book and stack more books on top. Check after the first few days and change the paper if it feels damp. Leave for two to four weeks.<\/p>\n
\nLayer the flower between blotting paper and cardboard inside the press. Tighten the straps evenly. Leave for two to four weeks, tightening again after a few days as the flower dries.<\/p>\n
\nPlace the flower between paper and microwave-safe tiles or ceramic plates. Microwave on low to medium for 30 seconds, then cool completely before checking. Repeat in 10\u201315 second bursts until dry. Never use a press with metal fittings.<\/p>\n
\nSet the iron to low or medium heat with the steam off. Press the flower between two sheets of paper for 10\u201315 seconds, lifting the iron straight up \u2014 do not slide it. Let the flower cool flat, then finish with a day or two in a book.<\/p>\nPro Tips<\/h2>\n
Quick Troubleshooting<\/h2>\n
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Ways to Use Pressed Flowers<\/h2>\n