How to Press Dried Flowers & Keep the Color
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.
Lay down a sheet of cardboard. Lay down two to three sheets of newspaper or non-glossy paper on top of the cardboard.
- Preserve your favorite garden flowers by pressing them when the blooms are at their height.
- To preserve the most color, flowers must be dried quickly so they don't have a chance to fade.
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.
Lay another two to three sheets of newspaper on top of the flowers. Top the stack with a second piece of cardboard.
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.
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.
- Arrange the flowers on top of the newspaper.
- Set bricks on top of the wood to add additional weight to the pressing process.
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.
Care For Dried Flowers
Whether you have dried flowers grouped in a wreath or arrangement, or single dried flowers for use in craft projects, you must care for them so they last as long as possible. Display dried flowers indoors, where they are protected from the elements. Keep them out of direct sunlight and areas of bright light, as this will cause the colors to fade and can make the flowers brittle. Avoid keeping dried flowers in rooms with high humidity. Exposure to moisture can cause some flowers preserved in a glycerin solution to "weep" from the stems or pores and drip onto nearby surfaces. Seal dried flower storage boxes well. Do not store dried flowers in plastic.
- Remove the flowers from the press once they are nearly completely dry.
- Keep them out of direct sunlight and areas of bright light, as this will cause the colors to fade and can make the flowers brittle.
Tip
Use blotter paper, tissues and other types of paper to absorb the excess moisture from the flowers.
Warning
Do not place the flowers in direct sunlight. This will bleach the color from the petals.
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References
Tips
- Use blotter paper, tissues and other types of paper to absorb the excess moisture from the flowers.
Warnings
- Do not place the flowers in direct sunlight. This will bleach the color from the petals.
Writer Bio
Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening.
