How to Press Flowers – Pressed Flower Craft Ideas

Learning to squeeze flowers means you can enjoy it for years to come by turning large petals into a pressed flower display. Whether you want to dry and squeeze your wedding bouquet or extend the life of a special bouquet from a loved one, a great way to cherish flowers is to preserve their vibrant colors and unique shape in a pressing book.

The pressing of flowers is an ancient art form, originally practiced by the Greeks and Romans thousands of years ago. Still popular today, not only does flower pressing extend the life of your flowers, but the displays also add a unique and elegant touch to your home.

What are the best flowers to squeeze?

Before you begin, choosing the right flowers to press is essential, as not all styles will work. Go for naturally flat flowers, like pansies, daisies and violets. When squeezing flowers, choose foliage and plants that will look great when pressed flat – large, flying flowers, for example, won’t perform as well.

• Plants and wild flowers (always follow the campaign code when foraging and never remove a large amount or more than you need)
• Flowers from the garden (cut them in the morning just after the morning due has evaporated)
• Flowers cut into bouquets for birthdays and parties
• Wedding flowers
• Funeral flowers
• People are named after flowers

How to squeeze flowers in a book or press: a four-step guide

Display dried flowers and plants, such as fern leaves and cow parsley stems, in glass frames for a lasting seasonal arrangement. Here’s what you’ll need in your flower pressing tool kit:

Tool kit for pressing flowers:

• The flowers and / or plants you want to press
• Garden scissors or secateurs
• Pressing kit or book – make sure the paper is plain so that it does not print any pattern on the petal
• Display of your choice: frame, necklace, card

Step 1: Choose and prepare your flowers

Choose your flowers from the list above. Select the best and decide which colors you want. Adding some greenery among the flowers will create a unique look, so select some complementary foliage and leaves as well. Gently clean the flowers you have chosen, dusting off any insects or debris. Remove as much moisture or moisture as possible.

Choose flowers that are still in bud or that have just bloomed. If you’re not ready to squeeze them right away, you can put them in the freezer, in an airtight container, until you’re ready.

Step 2: Arrange the flowers to be squeezed

For traditional pressing, you can squeeze flowers between the pages of a book, a photo album with sheets of acid-free paper, or a flower press. Carefully arrange your flowers on the surface, opening the petals to match what you would like them to look when pressed. Once they’re in a position that will look good when they turn 2D, slowly close the book or place the top of the press on the flowers. Doing this too quickly or suddenly could cause the petals to pop out of position.

Step 3: Leave on

If you’re using a book, put a weight on it to keep the pages flat and put pressure on the flowers. You won’t need to do this with a press as they have bolts to tighten at each corner. Leave to stand for one to two weeks in a cool, dry place.

Step 4: Arrange the pressed flowers to display

Once the flowers are completely dry, they are ready to be displayed. You can put them in a frame or glue them on a card for a personalized birthday card. See more ideas below.

How to press flowers with an iron

It’s a much faster way to squeeze flowers, but it comes with more risk. Follow steps 1 and 2 above, place the flowers between two pieces of absorbent paper and place a book on top while you prepare the iron.

The iron should not contain any water at all and should be set on low heat. When you’re ready, remove the book from the top sheet of paper and hold the iron on it for 10 to 15 seconds. Wait for the paper to cool, then start over. Lift the top piece of paper to see if the flower is stiff and dry.

You can then arrange the pressed flower as seen below.

How to squeeze flowers in the microwave

Another faster method, pressing the flowers in the microwave is possible using a specific microwave flower press kit or by making your own. To make a homemade microwave safe kit, place your flower between 2 pieces of paper, then cardboard, and finally two ceramic tiles. Hold everything together with rubber bands. Microwave on low for 30 to 60 seconds and allow the press to cool completely between each round.

You may need to complete the drying process in a book or press, but it should only take a few days.

How to display pressed flowers: ideas and inspiration

Here are some great ways to display pressed flowers and, below our list, a few examples.

• Place in glass frames and arrange as if still in a wild bouquet / border
• Place in a regular frame, making sure the background color complements the flowers
• Stick to card and create personalized birthday / wedding / celebration cards
• Stick to the pages of a diary, journal or handwritten story or poem
• Put in the pockets of a photo album and start creating your own collection of pressed flowers
• Put a little flower in a locket

This content is imported from Pinterest. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, on their website.

This content is imported from Pinterest. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, on their website.

This content is imported from Pinterest. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, on their website.

This content is imported from Pinterest. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, on their website.

This content is imported from Pinterest. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, on their website.

This content is imported from Pinterest. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, on their website.

How long do pressed flowers last?

Pressed flowers should be able to retain their color for a long time, but you can expect to see some wither about five to seven years after cutting. If they are in a frame, they must also maintain their shape and structure during this time.

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