How to Make a Flower Press

If you have a cutting garden or you like to gather natural materials, then having a flower press can be a great way to extend the use of your flowers. There are so many things that you can do with pressed flowers, ferns and leaves.

Over the years I have pressed leaves and flowers many different ways. In fact, I was about 7 years old when I pressed my first material…4 leaf clovers that I found in our yard. I have used phone books and magazines to provide pressure. I have pressed under a stack of heavy books on my desk. And I have left stacks of newspapers weighed down with photo albums on my dining room table for weeks.

So I finally decided that it was time to make a flower press. Not just a tiny hand-held, but one that can accommodate large size flowers and leaves. This flower press really doesn’t take many supplies to make. But you will need to have a place to set it that’s out of the way. I’m keeping my flower press out in Pinecone Cottage.

My flower press is about 18 inches by 18 inches. You can make it larger or smaller depending on how much room you have available.

Supplies…

2 square boards 18-24″ (3/8-1/2 inch thick)
8-2 inch washers
4-4 inch screws with wing nuts
Saw and drill
Sandpaper
Heavy duty glue such as E6000
3-4 cardboard pieces (same size as boards)
Craft paper or drawing paper

Steps to make a flower press…

Step 1:

Cut 2 boards to the same size. Mine were 18″ by 18″ because we were using a piece of scrap wood. But any size will work as long as you have a place to set it. Sand the edges of your board to remove any rough areas.

Step 2:

Use a ruler to measure and mark a spot at each corner that is about one inch from the point. You can just measure on one board and then stack the two boards so that they are even.

Step 3:

Use a drill to make a hole in each corner of your board stack. Be careful to drill straight down and not at an angle.

Step 4:

On the bottom board, glue a two inch washer to the board at each hole. Be sure to carefully align the holes. The washer will prevent the screw from cutting into the wood. Next, insert the screws into the holes facing up. It is helpful to glue the underside of the screw head to the washer so that your screws stay in place if you move the bottom board.

Step 5:

Cut 4 or 5 pieces of cardboard to the same size as your press. Cut around the screw hole so that the cardboard will fit inside your press. These pieces of cardboard will stack inside your press to help absorb moisture.

Step 6:

Glue the 4 remaining washers onto your top board. Once dry you will place your top board on the stack inserting the screws into the 4 holes. Use wing nuts to screw from the top down. Screw the wing nuts firmly into place. Again, the washers help to prevent damage to your board and give you good pressure. You now have your basic flower press. You could decorate the top of your press if you like. Use a stencil to paint a design on top or decoupage the top with some of your pressed material. One possibility I’m thinking of…

Tips for using your flower press…

To use the press, place flowers, leaves and ferns on your craft paper between the layers of cardboard. Top with another piece of paper and cardboard to help absorb the moisture. Set the top board in place, aligning the holes over the upright screws. Firmly screw on the wing nuts.
Make sure that none of the materials to press are touching each other. Give each item a little room.
Put the same density of material on the same layer. For example, do a layer of leaves together. They all have a similar density. Do not include a zinnia with the leaves. The zinnia is thicker and so the leaves won’t be pressed as tightly. Include the zinnias on another layer where you are pressing thicker flowers. (Note: The best results will come from using thinner materials. Thicker flowers are more likely to mold rather than dry. I would consider another drying technique such as microwaving with silica gel for your thicker flowers.)
Press your flowers and leaves for about 2 weeks. Then check for dryness. The flowers should be papery and delicate while still retaining their vibrant colors. Thicker flowers could take longer to dry. If they still look moist then just clamp them down for an additional week or two.

Here are a few ways to use your pressed flowers:

You can frame them
You could use them to make personalized greeting cards
Attach them to bands to make napkin rings
Decoupage them onto plates
Use them as package toppers for wrapped gifts
Make a collage of natural materials for your home decor
Decorate candles
Create gift tags
Make a bookmark

It’s wonderful to have an actual press to use for pressing. Being able to press multiple layers of leaves, flowers and ferns means that you can have abundant pressed material for all kinds of projects and decor items.

Pinecone Cottage Retreat

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Supplies…