How to Press Flowers: Preserve Blooms for Art and Keepsakes

Pressed flowers capture a moment in time — a special bouquet, a stunning spring pansy — preserving summer's beauty almost forever. Unlike dried bouquets, pressed flowers are perfect for framing, lockets, or embellishing note cards. Here's how to create your own.

Selecting Flowers for Pressing

• Pick in the morning after dew evaporates, when buds are ready to open or just before peak.
• For framed art, collect blooms and foliage at various stages for a natural look.
• Condition first for vibrant colors: plunge stems into water immediately, recut underwater at an angle, then place in clean vase with floral food.
• Easiest to press: naturally flat blooms like violets, daisies, single-petal roses (many shrub roses work well).
• Remove obvious stamens (alstroemerias, lilies) to prevent pollen stains.
• Ferns and leaves flatten beautifully.
• Chunky flowers (multi-petal roses, carnations) take longer and need more attention.

Materials for Pressing

Use absorbent paper: newspaper, blotting paper, printer paper, flat coffee filters (non-corrugated), flat cardboard, or plain untreated facial tissues. Avoid paper towels (texture imprints on petals) and waxed paper (retains moisture). Goal: dry quickly to prevent browning.

Method 1: Book Pressing (Easiest)

• Place flowers between two layers of absorbent paper, then under heavy books.
• Or place directly between book pages, leaving ⅛ inch between multiple pressings. Weight the book with a brick.
• Protect valuable book pages with extra paper layers.
• Check after a week; replace absorbent material if needed. Complete drying takes 2-3 weeks.

Method 2: Iron Pressing (Faster)

• Press flowers between two sheets of absorbent paper. Flatten first with a heavy book.
• Heat iron to low setting, empty water reservoir (no steam).
• Press warm iron on top paper for 10-15 seconds. Don't glide like ironing.
• Cool 10-15 seconds, repeat. Check occasionally by carefully lifting paper — flower should feel stiff and dry.

Method 3: Microwave Pressing (Fastest)

• Best with a professional microwave flower press. Use 30-60 second bursts, cooling between.
• DIY version: two ceramic tiles with rubber bands, flowers between absorbent paper. Heat 30-60 seconds, cool, repeat.
• Or use a book (no metal binding). Heat 30-60 seconds, cool 1-2 minutes between bursts. Never microwave longer than a minute at a time.
• Finish with traditional air-dry pressing for a day or two after microwave drying.