You’ve two options when it comes to pressing flowers—DIY or professional pressed flower preservation services.
DIY flower pressing can be exciting and save you money. But we believe you won’t like to take the risks with your wedding bouquet through trial-and-error sessions. Once damaged, you can’t restore the floral arrangement that means a lot to you.
So, if you aren’t experienced and seriously want to preserve your bridal bouquet for decades, you can choose professional pressed flower services. They have the right tools, experience, and knowledge to ensure that your wedding bouquet becomes a marvelous, moving, memorable, and lasting keepsake.
In this blog, we’re telling you some DIY options to press flowers at home, how to retain their colors, and the longevity of pressed flowers.
So, let’s get started:
How do you press flowers at home?
Here are some easy and quick ways to press flowers at home:
Press flowers in a book
You might have already tried or heard about this method. Spread the petals or full flowers on an absorbent paper and sandwich the paper inside a sturdy book. Now, put weight on the top of the book and set it aside for 2-4 weeks. Thin flowers take less time to dry and press than thick flowers.
Press flowers in a microwave
Remove excess leaves from the flowers and arrange them on a dinner plate lined with paper towels. Now, cover the flowers with another paper towel. Next, top the second paper towel with another dinner plate to weigh down the flowers. Finally, microwave the blooms for up to two minutes. The time it takes depends on the power of your microwave and the type of flowers. So, we suggest checking your flowers every 30 seconds and stopping when you’re sure you’re done.
Press flowers with an iron
If you need pressed flowers asap, then this method can be ideal. But we must warn that the quality won’t be as good as other methods. Sandwich the blooms in an absorbent paper and iron the arrangement for 15-30 seconds at low heat. Let them cool for 30 seconds before you press again. Once the petals are partially dried, you can perform the remaining pressing process using the book method discussed above.
Do flowers need to be dried before pressing?
Yes, flowers must be dried before pressing. Drying is the most important step in the entire process of pressing flowers and making them last longer.
Here’s why:
Flowers contain a rich amount of moisture, or we can say that, like we humans, flowers are mostly water. Water helps boost the normal metabolism in flowers, even in cut flowers in bouquets and vases.
This is good for fresh flowers, but not when you want to preserve your bouquet or special blooms forever as a pleasant memory. Because the higher the moisture content, the sooner your blooms will rot or mold during the pressing process.
Drying flowers as quickly and thoroughly as possible helps retain their shape and color for lasting preservation while keeping them from molding or turning brown fast. Drying before pressing also makes it easier to arrange and press blooms appropriately.
How do you press flowers and keep the color?
Change is a natural phenomenon in all organic materials, including flowers. So, it’s okay for your special floral arrangement to look different over time.
But we understand you want to keep the original color of your pressed flowers for as long as possible. Fortunately, it’s possible with some storage and care tips.
- Pick younger flowers because older flowers tend to change colors faster. This is because fully grown or older flowers have more color pigments than those in their prime time.
- Press cut flowers as quickly as possible and limit their time out of the press to prevent wilting or other damage. Check out the ideal timeline for preserving your wedding flowers after the big day.
- Avoid using parchment paper because it can trap moisture, leading to mold and browning of petals. Instead, use blotting paper, which is the most absorbent paper for drying cut flowers.
- Keep pressed flowers away from direct sunlight; otherwise, they will fade quickly.
How do you get flowers pressed?
At Preserve Bouquet, we use proven, safe, and gentle techniques to press and preserve your special floral arrangement, turning your memories into a timeless artwork. We follow a professional process at every step, including drying, pressing, and framing your bridal bouquet. Plus, you can choose custom wall frames for your pressed flower preservation and display.
We offer pressed flower frame services for any event (not just weddings), such as birthdays, funerals, anniversaries, or any floral memory that you want to preserve forever. From a single stem to the entire bouquet, our frames can turn your lovely blooms into a marvelous art that remains close to your eyes, heart, and memories.
How to Press Flowers Common Questions AnsweredFAQs
How long do pressed flowers last?
The lifespan of pressed flowers varies depending on many factors, like the type and quality of flowers, whether you choose DIY or professional pressed flower services, storage conditions, and the level of care. When properly pressed, stored, and maintained, pressed flowers can last for decades.
How do you preserve pressed fresh flowers permanently?
Pressed flowers can be permanently preserved when they are completely dry and free from moisture. Draining them of their 100% water content protects pressed flowers from the risk of mold or bacterial growth. Also, store your pressed flowers in a dry and low-light environment, away from UV rays and direct sunlight.
What materials are used to press flowers?
The material you need depends on your method of pressing flowers. The only common material used in all methods is blotting paper for drying. Then, you can use a book, microwave, or an iron for pressing—as per your convenience.
Can I spray perfume on dried flowers?
Yes, you can. But because perfumes contain chemicals, they can damage the delicate petals of your flowers.
What are the best flowers to press?
Some of the best flowers to press are naturally flat, with single, thin petals and less moisture content. The examples include pansies and violas, daisies, ferns, larkspur and delphinium, cosmos, baby’s breath, buttercups, heather, and lavender.