How to Dry Flowers: Pressing and Air-Drying Methods for Beautiful Preserved Blooms

How to Press Flowers

1. Lay flowers/leaves facedown on smooth, absorbent paper (white blotter paper). Build layers between paper sandwiches. Avoid embossed paper — texture transfers.
2. Use purchased press or DIY: two plywood rectangles with 4 corner holes, tightened with wing nuts. Or use heavy book with weight on top.
3. If using press, retighten wing nuts after 2 days (water absorption loosens pressure).
4. For best color, after ~4 days, carefully remove with tweezers to dry paper. Use paring knife tip to loosen if needed. Change book pages if using book method.

How to Air-Dry Flowers

1. Bundle small stem clusters with rubber band. Hang upside down in warm, dark, dry place.
2. For small items (marigolds, rosebuds): place on cooling rack on tray atop refrigerator. Rising warmth dries quickly.

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