Pressing Flowers Without a Press

When you attempt to press flowers, it is best to choose flowers which lend well to flattening. Flower heads which are very thick will only compress so much when dried and will never really "press" the way a thinner flower will. Very thick flowers, such as roses, should be dried by hanging upside down instead of pressing. If you are unsure whether your flower is too thick to press, the best way to find out is by trial and error.

You need to start with fresh flowers, to make sure the petals won't roll up at the edges, so don't pick them until you are ready to begin the process, or keep them in a vase of cool water until you are ready. In addition to the flowers you wish to press dry, you will need several sheets of acid free paper, and two planks of wood and about a dozen heavy (2-3 inches thick) hardback books (or a flower press).

Place one plank on a work surface and lay one sheet of the acid free paper on top of it. Lay out the flowers you plan to dry, leaving at least an inch between them. Arrange the petals as flat and symmetrically as you can, then place another sheet of paper and the other plank of wood on top. Leave the flowers for a couple of hours. Carefully remove the top plank and paper.

Much of the moisture should have transferred to the paper at this point, so it is best if you gently remove the flowers and change out the paper at this time, since excess moisture can cause the flower to decay or bond with the paper during the pressing process. Once the flowers are back between two sheets of paper and two planks, place the stack on the floor in an out of the way corner of a cool, dry room. Place one book gently on top of the stack and leave it until the next day. Continue adding books, one at a time, every 12-24 hours, until you have used up all the books. Leave the stack for a week, then check the progress. When the flower is completely flat and dry and easily slides around on the paper, it is done.