How to Press Flowers

Share the fruits of your flower garden with friends and family, long after the summer has past by pressing flowers. Drying flowers is inexpensive and easy for almost anyone to do, and it makes a great craft for children. You can make your own flower press (either a simple press or a wooden press) at home using simple materials.

Prepare Your Flowers

Pick your flowers before they begin to droop and wilt. Your blossoms should be firm and free of

moisture. Pull off any thick stems or leaves that will not flatten. If you're not ready to press your flowers, place the blossoms in the refrigerator to keep them fresh. When you're ready to begin, think about how you would like the flower to look when it is pressed. Place it flat and look closely. Remove leaves that will overlap.

Simple Press

Place your flower on a sheet of tissue paper. Place another piece of tissue paper atop the flower. Place this sandwich between the pages of a heavy book. As the flowers dry, they will likely bleed color onto the pages of the book, so make sure to choose a book that isn't valuable. If you can't find a book you can spare in this way, place your tissue packet between two pieces of cardboard and place the book on top of the cardboard. Weight down the top of your book with bricks or rocks to help press the flower flat. It can take several weeks for the flowers to dry.

Wooden Press

Cut two sheets of wood to 8.5 by 11 inches. Collect four bolts and four wing nuts. Drill a hole into each corner of the board, using a drill bit slightly larger than the size of your bolts. Using plain printer paper and cardboard, all 8.5 by 11 inches, make layers of cardboard, paper, flower, paper, cardboard and place these layers between your wood pieces. Slide the bolts through the drilled holes, and secure with wing nuts. Change the paper and cardboard every few days to ensure your flowers retain their colors.