Press Flowers
Fresh flowers can be kept for years with their color intact by pressing them, which flattens the flowers as they dry. Pressed flowers have long been used as decorative additions to cards and other projects as well as framed on their own. Below are some methods you can use to do this.(how long depends on the type of flower)
Contents
Steps
- Choose flowers to press. Pick flowers from your garden or someone else's with their permission; or you can gather wildflowers from a field. You can also buy flowers from a florist if you want a certain type of flower that doesn't grow in your region.
- Pick the flowers either in bud or as soon as they open. This is when the color is best. Choose blossoms and petals that haven't been bruised, torn, damaged by insects, or wilted.
- Flowers with naturally flat faces, such as pansies, violets, or apple blossoms are easier to press than flowers a more 3 dimensional shape like orchids, lilies, or peonies. However, you can take a flower apart to press, and then reassemble it when you want to use it.
- Pick the flowers at the right time of day. Flowers that are still wet with dew or rain will be more prone to molding in your press. Flowers picked in the hot summer afternoon sun will be more prone to fading.
Use a Flower Press
- Find a flower press. Flower presses are made with wood and metal screws and come with pieces of cardboard and flower press paper. They are available at craft stores or through trading or auction sites online.
- If you're using a used press, check that the press has clean papers and cardboard inside. If not, you may have to replace these.
- Recycle cardboard from boxes around the house. Cut them into pieces that fit inside your flower press.
- Cut pieces of parchment or freezer paper to use in your flower press. These should be the same size as the cardboard.
- You can easily make your own flower press if you can't find one.
- Cut two pieces of plywood to 9 by 12 inches (23 cm by 30.5 cm).
- Drill holes large enough for bolts in all four corners of both pieces, making sure the holes in the pieces line up when they are stacked.
- Slip bolts through the four holes in one of the plywood pieces. When you're ready to press flowers, you will cover them with the second pieces of plywood and screw the pieces together tightly using wing nuts.
- Cut cardboard as sheets of parchment paper that will fit inside your press.
- If you're using a used press, check that the press has clean papers and cardboard inside. If not, you may have to replace these.
- Prepare the flower press. When you're ready to press the flowers, remove the top piece of the flower press and set it aside with the wingnuts. Place one piece of cardboard on the bottom of the press, plus two sheets of flower press paper, the bottom most of which will serve as a "blotter."
- Arrange flowers on the piece of flower press paper. Lay the flowers flat on the top sheet of paper, leaving ample space between them so they are able to thoroughly dry.
- Play with the arrangement of the petals according to your artistic sense. You could lay them flat, or overlap some of them to create a windblown effect. The flowers will be preserved just as you position them.
- To press flowers with more dimension, cut them in half lengthwise, or press individual petals.
- Add the remaining paper and cardboard layers. Place a piece of paper carefully over the flower arrangement you made.
- Without disturbing the arrangement add add a second "blotter" sheet.
- Add the second piece of cardboard to the stack.
- Press the flowers. Fit the top piece of the flower press over the screws, and gently lower it onto the cardboard piece. Use the wing nuts to tighten the flower press. Store the press in a dry place in your house.
- Change the blotter sheets every few days. Unbolt the flower press to switch out the blotter sheets every couple of days. They will have absorbed some moisture from the flowers even if you can't feel it. Changing the sheets can help prevent or lessen the flowers from turning brown..
- Remove the flowers from the press. After a few weeks, the flowers will be completely dry and flat. Gently open the layers of paper and lift them using your fingers or a pair of tweezers. They are ready to use in a craft design.
Press Flowers in a Book
- Find a heavy book. Dictionaries, phone books, and encyclopedias are excellent choices for pressing flowers. The moisture from the flowers will cause the pages to wrinkle, so be sure to choose books that can be damaged.
- Lay the book open and line it with paper. You will need four pieces of paper, two of which will serve as blotters. Place two sheets of paper on either side of the book.
- Arrange flowers on one side of the book. Using the directions outlined above, choose flowers to lay flat or arrange artistically. You are only limited by the size of the book.
- Close the book. Be careful to close it in such a way that the flower arrangement does not get disturbed, and the paper stays aligned with the book.
- If you have a lot of flowers, you can place more flowers at different parts of the book. Make sure to leave about half an inch (1.3 cm) between the pages so your flowers don't transfer moisture to the other flowers in the book. Too many will cause mold.
- Pile more heavy books on top of the pressing book, and store them in a dry place in your house.
- Change the blotter sheets every few days. Carefully open the book to the pages where you're pressing flowers and remove the under sheets of paper you are using as blotters. Replace them with fresh blotter sheets, close the books, and continue to let the flowers press.
- Remove the flowers from the books. After a few weeks, the flowers will be completely dry. Gently open the layers of paper and gently remove the flowers preferably with a pair of tweezers. You can use your fingers but be very careful. They are very delicate now.
Press Flowers in a Microwave
- Make or buy a microwave press. Microwave presses are available for purchase, but you can easily make one yourself. Press the flowers between two ceramic tiles held together with rubber bands.
- Don't place a regular flower press in the microwave. This could start a fire.
- You may microwave a book flower press, but only if you're sure the book does not have metal parts.
- Line one tile with a piece of cardboard and a piece of paper. Use printer paper or a coffee filter if you wish.
- Since the flowers will dry quickly in the microwave, there is no need for extra blotter paper in this method.
- Arrange flowers on the piece of paper. Using the directions outlined above, choose flowers to lay flat or arrange artistically. You are only limited by the size of the tile.
- Finish putting the press together. Add a second sheet of paper on top of the flower arrangement, followed by a piece of cardboard, followed by the second tile. Secure the press with two rubber bands.
- Microwave the flower press. Start by microwaving it on low for a minute, then open the press and check the results. Continue microwaving in short increments until the flowers are completely pressed and dry.
- Finished.
Tips
- Make sure the items used are microwaveable. This is extremely important.
- Leaves and stems can also be pressed but be aware that if they add bulk they might mean longer pressing time. If a stem is too thick, you can split it in half.
Warnings
- Do not pick flowers and other plant species that are endangered or protected.
- Some plants may come with natural self-defenses, such as sharp edges, thorns, allergens, or poison. Use caution when picking plants.
- Always ask permission when picking in a place other than your own property.
Things You'll Need
- Flowers and other flora
- A flower press or parts to make a flower press (2 pieces of plywood, 4 bolts, 4 washers, 4 wing nuts)
- A large, heavy book
- Cardboard
- Parchment or flower press paper
- Ceramic tiles and rubber bands (for the microwave method)
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- Dry Flowers
- Dry Flowers for Winter Enjoyment
- Dry Flowers Using a Bag
- Send Dried Flowers
