What You’ll Need:

• Fresh flowers (choose flowers that are not too thick or bulky)
• Heavy books or a flower press
• Parchment paper, blotting paper, or coffee filters
• Scissors or garden shears
• Tweezers (optional)
• A flat, dry surface

Step 1: Choose Your Flowers

Pick fresh flowers that are free from moisture, dirt, or damage. Some flowers press better than others—try pansies, violets, daisies, or ferns for best results. Avoid thick or very fleshy flowers (like roses or sunflowers) as they take longer to press.

Step 2: Prepare the Flowers

• Trim the stems with scissors if needed.
• Remove any unwanted leaves.
• If the flower is bulky, you can split it or press individual petals to speed drying.

Step 3: Arrange the Flowers

• Place a piece of parchment paper or blotting paper inside a heavy book or a flower press.
• Arrange the flowers face-up on the paper, leaving space between them so they don’t overlap.
• Cover the flowers with another sheet of parchment or blotting paper.

Step 4: Press the Flowers

• Close the book carefully and add more heavy books or weights on top to increase pressure.
• If using a flower press, tighten the screws to apply pressure.

Step 5: Wait and Check

• Leave the flowers to press for 1 to 3 weeks.
• Check every few days to make sure the paper isn’t damp. If it is, replace it with dry paper to prevent mold.

Step 6: Remove and Use

• After 1 to 3 weeks, carefully open the book or press.
• Use tweezers to gently lift the pressed flowers.
• Your pressed flowers are now ready to be used in art, scrapbooks, bookmarks, or framed decorations!

Tips for Best Results:

• Press flowers in a dry, cool place to avoid mold.
• For delicate flowers, placing a piece of wax paper over the petals before pressing can help protect them.
• Label pressed flowers with the date and type for future reference.