Pressing flattens a flower or leaf into a delicate, paper-thin keepsake, capturing its color and shape for use in framed art, bookmarks, or handmade cards long after the original bloom has faded.
A traditional flower press or simply a heavy book work equally well for beginners, and thinner, flatter blooms like pansies and violas generally press more successfully than thick, fleshy flowers.
Arrange fresh, dry blooms between two sheets of absorbent paper (parchment or blotting paper work well), place inside a flower press or heavy book, and add weight. Check after a week — most flowers take one to two weeks to fully press and dry, depending on thickness and humidity.
Pressing flowers picked completely dry, with no morning dew or rain moisture on the petals, prevents mold from forming during the multi-week pressing process.
