How to Press Flowers: Keep Your Blooms Beautiful Forever

When the first spring flowers bloom after a long winter, you wish they could last forever. You can freeze that moment in time by pressing flowers for eternity. Pressing flowers is also a wonderful way to preserve a memory — for example, pressing the blooms from a wedding bouquet and reassembling them into a beautiful floral picture.

Which Flowers Are Best for Pressing?

As a general rule, flat-faced flowers work best for flower pressing. These are blooms that are naturally thin or flat, have small seed pods, and slender stems. They contain less moisture and are therefore less likely to rot during the pressing process. Of course, you can also press individual petals from thicker flowers (e.g. roses) — so you don't have to miss out on your favorites entirely.

The following flowers are particularly well-suited for pressing: Pansies, violas, daisies, cornflowers, hydrangeas, and flat leaves.

How to Press Flowers: Step-by-Step Guide

Wondering how to press flowers properly and what to watch out for? The best method for drying and pressing your flowers is one you'll discover through a little experimentation.

Here are some key tips to keep in mind when pressing flowers:

• Use fresh flowers: Always pick flowers at peak bloom. This helps colors last as long as possible during the pressing process.
• Avoid damp blooms: If flowers are wet from rain or morning dew, let them air-dry completely before pressing.
• Cut at the right point: For single blooms, snip just below the flower head. If you want to press the stem as well, cut it to your desired length.
• Don't wait too long before pressing: Press flowers as soon as possible to prevent petals from curling.
• Position the blooms: Gently press the flower head into the desired position so it stays in place.
• Less is sometimes more: Don't press too many flowers in a single layer - paper can only absorb so much moisture. When in doubt, press blooms individually rather than crowding them in one layer.

What Methods Are There for Pressing Flowers?

There are many different methods for pressing flowers and plants. Here are some of the most popular - try them out and find the technique that brings you the most joy and works best for you.

Flower Press

Here's how to press and dry your blooms using a flower press:

• In a flower press, blooms are placed between two wooden boards held together with screws. The screws also control the level of pressure applied.
• Absorbent paper is layered between the boards to draw out moisture. Blotting paper is ideal, but regular printer paper or newspaper also works.
• Pieces of cardboard can be added between layers for extra structure - just make sure they're clean and dry.
• Depending on the flowers you choose, pressing and drying in a flower press takes two to three weeks.

Pressing Flowers in a Book

Here's how to press and dry your flowers using a book:

• Place the blooms between the pages of the book. Use books you don't mind potentially staining, as flower juices can sometimes discolor or warp pages.
• You can add extra sheets of paper between the pages and the flowers to protect the book - though with more moisture-heavy blooms, some staining may still occur.
• For best results, place additional weight on top of the closed book - such as more books or other heavy objects - to increase the pressing pressure.
• Pressing flowers in a book typically takes two to three weeks.
• You can shorten the drying time by placing the book in a warm, dry location.

Pressing Flowers in the Microwave

Here's how to quickly press and dry flowers using a microwave:

• Place the flowers between two ceramic tiles.
• Due to the limited space, only a few blooms can be pressed at once - but this method is by far the fastest.
• Layer a sheet of paper on each side of the flowers, between the tile and the bloom. Fine kitchen paper works best; coarser paper towels may leave a texture imprint on delicate petals - which can also create an interesting decorative effect.
• Place the tile-and-flower stack in the microwave on low heat for one minute. Check the flowers afterward. If they're not yet fully pressed, repeat in short intervals. Caution: Hot! Always let both the tiles and the flowers cool before handling.

Pressing Flowers with a Clothes Iron

Here's how to press and dry flowers using a clothes iron:

• The iron is a fast pressing method, but requires a gentle touch.
• Use a thick piece of cardboard as your ironing surface. Layer absorbent paper on top, place your flowers, then cover with another sheet of paper.
• Set the iron to its lowest heat setting and press it firmly onto the top paper layer for 10 to 15 seconds. Do not move the iron - keeping it still prevents delicate petals from shifting or overlapping.
• Let the paper cool, check the flowers, replace damp paper, and repeat until the blooms are fully pressed and dry.

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How Long Does It Take to Press and Dry Flowers?

The best results for preserving flowers come from using a flower press or the book method. Plan for a pressing time of two to three weeks, depending on the thickness of the blooms.

How Can You Press Flowers Quickly?

The microwave is the fastest method for drying and pressing flowers, though the blooms may not always press perfectly flat. Pressing with a clothes iron is also quite quick. With both methods, judging the ideal dryness level takes a little practice.

How Do Pressed Flowers Keep Their Color?

Some flowers naturally lose their color during the pressing process — this varies by species and is best discovered through experimentation. The flowers listed above tend to retain their color well. To minimize color loss after pressing, avoid exposing pressed flowers to direct sunlight, as UV light breaks down color pigments over time.

How Long Do Pressed Flowers Last?

How long your pressed flowers last depends entirely on what you do with them. Pressed flowers that are further crafted - glued onto lantern glasses or framed behind glass as a floral still life - can essentially last forever. The key is ensuring the flowers were thoroughly pressed and dried before use.

Inspiration: DIY Ideas with Pressed Flowers

Pressed flowers are beautiful, versatile elements that can be used in countless creative DIY projects. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

• Decorate greeting cards with pressed blooms — a truly eye-catching personal touch.
• Attach dried flowers to glass jars or lanterns for stunning decorative effects.
• Laminate pressed flowers to create unique and beautiful bookmarks.
• Arrange blooms on colored cardstock or other backgrounds to create floral artwork.
• Use pressed flowers — combined with resin or other materials — to create handmade jewelry.