Selecting and Preparing Your Botanicals

The beauty of the final piece hinges on the quality of your pressed flowers. This stage requires patience and attention to detail, as proper preparation ensures vibrant colors and intact shapes that will last for years under their glue dome.

1. 🌸 Choosing the Right Flowers

Focus on flowers that are in peak condition but not fully matured. Buds that are just beginning to open often press beautifully. Consider color contrast and composition—how will the purple of a pansy look against a dark wood pull? Gather a variety of sizes and shapes, including small filler flowers and interesting leaves, to create dynamic arrangements.

2. 🧼 Cleaning and Prepping

Gently remove any dirt or small insects. Trim stems very close to the base of the flower head. For complex flowers like daisies, you may separate the flower head from its thick center to create a flatter profile. The goal is to minimize the 3D bulk that needs to be compressed.

3. ⏳ The Pressing Process

Arrange your flowers face-down on the absorbent paper of your press or between sheets of parchment paper inside a book. Ensure they are not overlapping. Layer more paper on top, close the press or book, and apply weight. Leave them undisturbed in a dry, warm place. Check after a week; they should feel papery and dry to the touch. Any moisture left will cause mildew under the sealed glue.