Pressing flowers is one of the oldest and most rewarding ways to preserve a bloom. With a little patience and some basic household items, you can turn a wedding bouquet, a garden clipping or a roadside wildflower into a flat, delicate keepsake that lasts for years. Pressed flowers are ideal for framed art, greetings cards, bookmarks, resin jewellery and scrapbooks.

This guide covers four easy methods for pressing flowers, from the traditional heavy book to a quick microwave technique. You’ll also find the best flowers to press, how to prepare them, how to avoid common problems, and ideas for using your finished pieces.

What You’ll Need

Fresh flowers and foliage: Pick them at their best, ideally on a dry morning once the dew has evaporated.
Absorbent paper: Blotting paper, coffee filters, kitchen paper, plain printer paper or parchment paper. Avoid glossy or heavily printed paper, which can transfer ink or trap moisture.
Weight or pressure: Heavy books, a flower press, or a stack of bricks or plates.
Scissors or secateurs for trimming stems.
Tweezers for handling dried flowers, which are very fragile.
Optional: Silica gel, a microwave-safe flower press, an iron and an ironing board, and a notebook for labelling.

The Best Flowers to Press

Flat, thin flowers with low moisture content press best.

Easy for beginners: Pansies, violas, daisies, cosmos, forget-me-nots, lobelia, larkspur and ferns.
Good with a little care: Roses (use petals or small buds), geraniums, hydrangea florets, lavender, buttercups and delphiniums.
Tricky: Thick, fleshy or very watery blooms such as lilies, tulips, orchids, succulents and peonies. Press them petal by petal, or split the flower in half.

Tip: Pick flowers at several stages of opening, including buds, side views and fully open blooms, to give your designs variety.

Preparing Your Flowers

Pick on a dry day, after the morning dew has gone but before the midday heat.
Choose unblemished blooms with no bruises, spots or insect damage.
Press them quickly, ideally within a few hours of picking, so they don’t wilt.
Remove excess stem and leaves, and trim the back of thicker flowers so they lie flat.
Pat dry with kitchen paper if there’s any moisture on the petals.

Method 1: Pressing in a Heavy Book (Classic)

The simplest method, and it needs nothing you don’t already own.

Open a large, heavy book such as a phone directory, dictionary or hardback atlas. Avoid books you value, as moisture can leave marks.
Place a sheet of absorbent paper on the page, lay your flower face down or side on, and cover with another sheet.
Close the book gently. Leave at least a few pages between each flower so they don’t leave stains on each other.
Stack more heavy books on top for extra pressure.
Leave for 2 to 4 weeks without peeking too often.

Tip: If the book is thin, slip a few sheets of paper between pages to protect the book and soak up moisture.

Method 2: Using a Flower Press

A flower press applies even, firm pressure, which gives flatter, neater results.

Lay a piece of cardboard on the base, then a sheet of blotting paper.
Arrange your flowers on the paper, leaving space between them.
Cover with another sheet of paper, then another layer of cardboard. Repeat for more layers.
Place the top board on, then tighten the bolts or straps evenly.
Leave for 2 to 4 weeks. Tighten the press slightly after a few days as the flowers shrink.

DIY option: Sandwich layers of cardboard and blotting paper between two wooden boards, and secure with strong rubber bands or bolts.

Method 3: Microwave Pressing (Quick)

Great for when you need pressed flowers in a hurry.

Place flowers between two sheets of parchment paper or kitchen paper, then place them between two microwave-safe ceramic tiles or plates. Avoid metal parts.
Microwave on low or medium power for 30 seconds. Let it cool completely, then check the flowers.
Repeat in short 10 to 15 second bursts until the flowers feel dry and papery.
Allow to cool and rest for a few hours before handling.

Warning: Heat builds up quickly, so check often to avoid scorched or brittle petals. Never use a microwave press that has metal fittings, and let everything cool before touching.

Method 4: Pressing with an Iron

A good option for thin, delicate flowers and leaves.

Place your flower between two sheets of absorbent paper or parchment paper.
Set the iron to a low to medium heat, with the steam turned off.
Press gently for 10 to 15 seconds, then lift and check. Don’t slide the iron around, as it can drag the petals.
Repeat until the flower is dry and papery, then let it cool flat.

Flowers pressed this way usually need a final rest in a book for a day or two to ensure all moisture is gone.

Tips for Better Pressed Flowers

Arrange before you press. You can’t reposition them afterwards, so check the shape and spacing first.
Press foliage too. Ferns, small leaves and grasses make lovely fillers.
Change the paper after the first few days if you notice dampness, particularly with thicker flowers.
Label everything with the flower name and date.
Handle with tweezers, since dried petals tear easily.
Store properly in a dry, flat container, such as a box with tissue paper layers, away from damp and direct sunlight.
Preserve colour by choosing richly coloured flowers. Blues, purples and yellows hold up best, while reds can darken and whites may turn cream or brown.

Troubleshooting

My flowers turned brown.
They may have been too wet or pressed slowly. Use fresh flowers, change the paper, and try a faster method such as the microwave.

My petals have mould.
There was too much moisture. Discard the affected flowers and ensure everything is dry before storing.

The petals are stuck to the paper.
Use parchment paper or coffee filters for delicate or sticky blooms, and peel carefully with tweezers.

The flowers are crumbling.
They’re probably over-dried. Handle gently and reduce the heat or time next time.

Ways to Use Pressed Flowers

Framed botanical art: Arrange on card and mount between glass or in a floating frame.
Greetings cards and gift tags: Glue small flowers to card, then cover with clear sticky film.
Bookmarks: Laminate or seal between sheets of clear adhesive film.
Resin jewellery and coasters: Embed dried flowers in resin for pendants and keepsakes.
Candles and soap: Add as decoration (check they’re safe for the specific product).
Scrapbooks and journals: Stick them in with a little PVA glue or double-sided tape.
Wedding keepsakes: Preserve petals from a bouquet or buttonhole.
Phone cases and lampshades: Sandwich between clear layers for a unique finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to press flowers?
Between 2 and 4 weeks with a book or press. The microwave and iron methods take minutes.

What’s the best paper for pressing flowers?
Blotting paper, coffee filters or plain absorbent paper. Avoid anything glossy or printed.

Can I press flowers in a thin book?
Yes, but add extra paper to protect the pages and stack heavy objects on top.

Do pressed flowers keep their colour?
Most fade slightly over time. Keep them out of direct sunlight to slow this down.

Can I press a whole bouquet?
You can, but separate it into individual flowers or petals first. Thick blooms such as roses are easier to press as petals.

Pressing flowers is a gentle, low-cost craft that rewards a little patience. Start with a heavy book and a few easy blooms such as pansies and daisies, and try faster methods when you want results in a hurry. With the right preparation and storage, your pressed flowers can last for years.

How to Press Flowers: Easy Methods for Beautiful, Long-Lasting Results