The Perfect Guide To Pressing Flowers

The Perfect Guide to Preserving Flowers through pressing
Are you a flower lover looking for a timeless way to preserve your favourite blooms? Pressing flowers is the perfect way to turn fresh flowers into long-lasting keepsakes. Whether you want to preserve wedding bouquets, special occasion flowers, or just create art, a flower press can help you achieve stunning results.

In this blog, we’ll guide you through the process of pressing and provide a step-by-step guide on how to press flowers at home. Let’s dive in!

Preserving Memories with Pressed Flowers
Using a flower press is an excellent way to preserve memories, whether it’s flowers from a loved one, flowers you picked from your garden or just a collection of wildflowers you picked on a walk. Each pressed flower holds sentimental value and can be turned into a cherished keepsake.
You can pick one up online or in shops for around $15 AUD.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to press flowers using a flower press, ensuring you achieve beautiful, flat, and preserved blooms:

Materials Needed:
A flower press
Fresh flowers or leaves
Absorbent paper (blotting paper, parchment, or even acid free tissue paper). Please note the blotting paper used is very specific to pressing flowers so do your research before purchasing. A flower press kit usually includes paper however the quality may not be great.
Scissors (optional)
Tweezers (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide to Pressing Flowers in a Flower Press:
Select the Right Flowers

Choose flowers that are fresh and dry, preferably picked in the morning when they are at their best. Flat flowers, like pansies or hydrangias, press the easiest. Thicker flowers, like roses, may need to be pressed petal by petal to achieve great results.
Prepare the Flowers:

Trim any excess stems or leaves using scissors if necessary. For thicker flowers, press individual petals to ensure even drying. You can also use leaves or grasses for added texture in your pressing projects.Actually this a must!
Set Up Your Flower Press:

Disassemble the flower press, removing the top wooden board and layers inside. Most flower presses have multiple layers of absorbent paper and cardboard to facilitate airflow and proper drying.
Layer the Flowers:

Place your flowers between two pieces of absorbent paper. Ensure that the petals are spread flat and not overlapping. If pressing multiple flowers, leave space between each flower to avoid them sticking together.
Assemble the Press:

Once you have arranged your flowers on the paper, stack the absorbent paper with flowers inside the press. To achieve this your press would look like cardboard, paper, flower, paper, cardboard, then repeat. Alternate layers of flowers and paper if pressing more than one batch.
Place the top board of the flower press back on and tighten the screws evenly to apply gentle pressure. Be careful not to overtighten, as this could crush delicate petals.
Apply Pressure:

Tighten the screws on the press evenly, ensuring that pressure is applied uniformly. This ensures the flowers dry flat and without wrinkles.
Wait for Drying:

Leave your flowers in the press for about 1 to 3 weeks. The drying time depends on the thickness and moisture content of the flowers. Check them after the first day or s to monitor progress. Thicker flowers might need a little longer. If you notice the paper is saturated or mould is beginning to form, change the paper immediately and check the flowers daily.
Check for Dryness:

After 1 to 3 weeks, carefully open the press and check if the flowers are fully dried. They should feel papery and dry to the touch. If not, reassemble the press and leave them for a few more days.
Use Your Pressed Flowers:

Once fully dried, your pressed flowers are ready to be used in craft projects, framed, or added to cards. Handle them carefully as they are fragile.

Enjoy preserving nature’s beauty for your creative projects!

At Anthos Pressed Floral, we specialise in preserving flowers from special moments, turning them into timeless, framed pieces of art. If you’re looking to press flowers professionally, please contact us, we’d love to help!

Above

Pressed flowers- roses, phalaenopsis orchids and ferns