How to Start Pressed Flower Art

What is pressed flower art? At its core, it’s about preserving flowers by flattening them under pressure, usually between layers of absorbent paper, using a heavy object or a flower press. This process removes the plant’s moisture, and maintains its original colour, shape, and even its most intricate details. In fact, with the right care, pressed flowers can remain intact for quite some time!

From picturesque greeting cards to elaborate wall hangings, pressed flower artwork is an enjoyable, hands-on craft that offers endless possibilities and brings a touch of nature indoors.

So whether you’re looking for an exciting new hobby, or for a fun summertime activity for the kids, this beginners guide will tell you how to start pressed flower art as well as letting you know what you’ll need to get going.

Let’s press on and explore the beauty of pressed flower art.

Flower pressing has an incredibly rich history, with roots stretching back centuries. Pressed flower art as we’d recognise it today can be linked to sixteenth century Japan and a craft known as oshibana, which translates roughly to ‘painting a picture with natural elements.’ It was often practiced by Samurai warriors to cultivate focus, patience, and harmony with nature.

In the Victorian era, the creation of intricate botanical albums as keepsakes blossomed into a popular pastime. And in addition to being a beautifully delicate artform, flower pressing has also played a unique role in scientific study, by providing long-term preservation of plant specimens which can last for hundreds of years. This has allowed botanists to document and study plant diversity, creating a historical record that has helped with species identification and comparison.

Despite its use throughout history, as a purely decorative art, pressed flower art has dipped in and out of fashion over the years. Yet in recent times it’s seen something of a revival, especially as it’s been gaining traction on social media.

The first step on your pressed flower art journey is choosing the right flowers. And there are a few golden rules to help you on your way:

• Flatter flowers are much easier to press, especially those with single-layered petals, like daisies, pansies, buttercups, zinnias and delphinium.
• Flowers should be dry when picked, ideally in the morning after the dew has evaporated.
• Try to avoid flowers with blemishes, signs of damage, or dark spots.
• Pressing flowers before full bloom is generally recommended for achieving the best results.
• Flowers that are open, or partially open but not overly mature, tend to retain their colour and shape better during the pressing process.

The best place to kick off your projects is by having the right tools and materials. They’re all likely to be available at your local hobby shop, and here’s a list to help you get started:

The Press

You can buy small flower presses, but most beginners use heavy books for pressing flowers. Place absorbent material like parchment paper or kitchen towel between the book pages – or the books themselves – and the flowers, to absorb moisture. Pressing time varies, so check every few days and replace damp absorbent material as needed.

Tools for Cutting & Assembly

You’ll need strong scissors for trimming plants, and a craft knife for precise cuts; ensure such tools are kept away from children. In addition, you’ll need tweezers for handling delicate flowers, and a small paintbrush for applying glue. These tools help in preparing and arranging the pressed flowers.

Adhesive

Acid-free glue is recommended for pressed flower artwork to prevent discoloration and degradation of pressed flowers. Apply a thin layer using a small paintbrush to ensure even coverage on the back of each pressed piece.

Mounting Surfaces

For beginners, thick paper, canvas, diary pages, scrapbooks, or note cards work well as mounting surfaces. As you blossom into the craft, you can decorate various items like vases, ornaments, bookmarks, or greeting cards.

Other Tools

Additional useful tools include a pen or pencil for sketching designs and a ruler for ensuring even spacing when laying out your composition.

If you want to know how to start pressed flower art, follow these basic steps. It really is very straightforward, but it does require some delicate handling and a light touch!

Selecting and Preparing Your Flowers
Opt for flowers that are vibrant and unblemished. Pick flowers in the morning after dew has evaporated to ensure they’re dry. Trim the stems to a manageable length and remove unwanted leaves. For thicker flowers, consider splitting them to aid in pressing.

Pressing the Flowers
Place each flower between two sheets of absorbent paper, ensuring petals are spread out and not overlapping. Place the paper-encased flowers within a heavy book or flower press. Add additional weight on top or adjust the settings on the press to apply even pressure. Leave the flowers undisturbed for at least two weeks. This duration allows them to dry completely and retain their colour. Once your flowers are pressed, the next step is to create your design.

Planning
Sketch a simple layout for your artwork and then carefully put the dried flowers on your paper to see how your design looks.

Assembly
Use the tweezers to pick up your pressed flowers, and then dab a tiny amount of glue on the back of each one. Then, carefully place them on your paper or card according to your design layout.

Final Touches
Let the glue dry, and it’s advisable to keep your work flat and undisturbed. Once your artwork is dry, you have your first piece of authentic pressed dried flower art!

It really is that simple, and by following these steps, you’ll create a beautiful piece of pressed flower art that brings a touch of nature indoors. It’s a relaxing and rewarding craft that gets easier with practice.

What is pressed flower art? It’s a fun and enjoyable craft where you can create personalised cards, decorate photo frames, design unique bookmarks, or even make framed artwork for your walls. The charm lies in the individuality of each piece – no two creations are ever the same. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or a beginner looking for a new hobby, pressed flower art is an amazing way to blend creativity with the natural world.