How to Press Dried Flowers & Keep the Color

Overview

Preserve your favorite garden flowers by pressing them when the blooms are at their height. Proper pressing preserves much of the original color of the blossom, allowing you to use the dried flowers in paper-making and other craft projects. To preserve the most color, flowers must be dried quickly so they don't have a chance to fade. Pressing allows you to quickly press out the excess moisture. It works best on flat flowers such as pansies and daisies.

Step 1

Lay down a sheet of cardboard. Lay down two to three sheets of newspaper or non-glossy paper on top of the cardboard.

Step 2

Arrange the flowers on top of the newspaper. Leave a 1- to 2-inch space between each flower, ensuring none of the flowers overlap each other.

Step 3

Lay another two to three sheets of newspaper on top of the flowers. Top the stack with a second piece of cardboard.

Step 4

Lay a wood board or sheet of plywood on top of the cardboard stack. Set bricks on top of the wood to add additional weight to the pressing process.

Step 5

Replace the newspaper every one to two days, moving the flowers carefully to avoid damaging them. Replace the cardboard and weights after changing the paper.

Step 6

Remove the flowers from the press once they are nearly completely dry. Spread them out on a sheet of clean paper. Place them in a dry room that is out of direct light and allow them to finish drying for one to three days.