Pressed flower art adds a beautiful element to a home, and it’s especially meaningful if those blooms mean something special. Whether you want to host a bridal shower or preserve your bridal bouquet, you can learn how to press flowers for framing. It’s a fun group project, and it’s a simple activity with the stunning result of pressed flower wall art.

Why learn how to press flowers?

Being tasked with planning a bridal shower or bachelorette party can be so much fun! You gather family and friends to celebrate the couple, but what will you do? Pressing and framing flowers is the perfect answer! Plus, incorporating a beautiful keepsake that the guests can make themselves makes the time even more special.

Although you may not know what to do with dried flowers or how to press flowers, you can easily learn. The right tools make the experience all that much better.

How to Press Flowers for Framing

Learning how to preserve flowers is relatively easy, depending on the flowers used. You just need fresh flowers, newspaper, thick board, and weights. The project also takes time—about two weeks—for the flowers to dry.

1. Gather fresh, local blooms to press.

When it came time to do the activity, guests were led by Dr. Nancy Cowden. She taught them how to preserve pressed flowers. The guests used several colors of fresh blossoms from the gardens at Cloverlea and Little Otter Flower Farm.

2. Lay your flowers down for pressing.

Newspaper is the perfect blotting paper for pressed flowers. Put your fresh flowers on the newspaper, and try to make sure that the petals aren’t bent. Do your best to envision how the flower will look flat. Next, lay the flowers down and bend the stems accordingly so that they dry flat.

3. Cover your pressed flowers.

It’s important to have enough blotting paper (newspaper) to soak up the liquid. Also, be sure that the blooms have newspaper on either side of it. Then, place your newspaper containing the flowers in between layers of cardboard. Place a flat weight—books will do—on top to create pressure. Set aside for two weeks. Yes, you can check on them periodically and carefully.

4. After two weeks, take your pressed blooms out of the newspaper.

It’s quite fun to reveal the final results of what’s been hiding in the newspaper (unless you peeked!). However, be very careful, as pressed petals are extremely delicate.

5. Carefully arrange your pressed flowers on a sturdy piece of white paper or board.

Imagine what a bouquet would look like, and try to mimic that appearance. You could also get creative with your pressed flower art ideas and arrange them in a pattern. The choice is yours! Just remember to be careful with your dried flowers so that you don’t break off leaves or petals.

6. Once the pressed flowers are arranged, use glue to carefully stick the flower parts to the paper.

Be gentle, and use a paintbrush. The key is to use glue that dries clear to stick the flower parts down. This will secure the arrangement but don’t feel as though you need to overdo it with the amount of glue.

7. Let your final pressed flower arrangement dry.

Cover the pressed arrangement with either parchment or waxed paper. Then place weights on top and let it dry for 2-4 days. The final result is stunning and can be framed. Now that you know how to press flowers for framing, the options are endless for gift giving!

What to Do After You’ve Learned How to Press Flowers

After the two weeks were up, the dried pressed blooms were ready. The flowers were then arranged in lovely groupings and attached to thick paper to be framed or displayed on their own.

If you dry your flowers at home, knowing how to display pressed flowers can be tricky. You can put pressed flower art in glass, but there are also many other options.

How to Display Pressed Flowers

• Make a pressed flower bookmark.
• Framing pressed flowers allows you to keep blooms protected under glass.
• Attach flattened petals to the front of a homemade greeting card.
• Learn how to put a flower in a picture frame to preserve it.

The Final Result of the Pressed Flower Art

Guests were able to keep their gorgeous pressed flower art, which featured the Ramsey-Freer Herbarium seal. What a special touch!

What a lovely keepsake from time spent with friends in celebration. Learning how to press flowers for framing with friends is a wonderful activity for a bridal shower, bachelorette, girls’ night out, or even a baby shower.

FAQ About How To Press Flowers

What is the best way to press flowers?

One of the best methods to press flowers is using a flower press. You can easily make one by placing the blooms between layers of absorbent paper, such as blotting paper or newspaper, and then placing heavy books on top to apply pressure. Leave the flowers pressed for a few weeks until they are completely dried and flattened.

How do you press flowers without turning brown?

Choosing fresh flowers in good condition is essential to prevent the flowers from turning brown during the pressing process. Avoid using blooms that are already starting to wilt or have brown spots. Press them as soon as possible after picking them to maintain their vibrant colors. You can also use a microwave flower press, which helps preserve the colors of the flowers better than traditional pressing methods.

Do you press fresh or dried flowers?

You can use both fresh and dried flowers. Fresh flowers must be pressed and dried before being used for crafts or decorations. On the other hand, dried flowers can be pressed to flatten them further or create unique designs.

How to preserve fresh flowers permanently?

One popular method is air drying, in which you hang the flowers upside down in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area. This allows the flowers to dry out while slowly maintaining their shape and color. For the best results, choose flowers that are still in their prime and have yet to bloom fully. Once the flowers are dehydrated, you can display them in a vase or use them for various crafts and decorations.

How long do pressed flowers last?

Pressed flowers can last several years if stored properly in a dry and protected environment, making them perfect for creating beautiful artwork and bookmarks or incorporating them into homemade cards.

How do you preserve flowers and keep their color?

Use a drying agent such as silica gel or borax. These drying agents help to remove moisture from the flowers while preserving their shape and color. To use silica gel, place the flowers in a container and cover them entirely with the gel. Seal the container and leave it undisturbed for a few days to a week, depending on the thickness of the flowers. Once the flowers are dry, carefully remove them from the gel and gently brush off any excess.

Learn How to Press Flowers for Framing

If you live in Virginia, you can have the same experience of learning how to preserve pressed flowers. Cloverlea Farmhouse is a lovely location. Plus, making pressed flower art with your friends is such a memorable experience.

Dr. Nancy Cowden, the curator of the Ramsey-Freer Herbarium of the Biology Department at the University of Lynchburg, taught guests how to press flowers. She loved plants and had a heart for others. She passed away suddenly, but we thank her for teaching others to love nature and its beauty.

Want to learn how to press flowers for framing? Save it!

Thank you to Gray Cat Photos for the use of their images.