Have your pressed flowers lost some of their color over time?
One simple way to refresh faded petals is by using soft pastels. This method is quick, easy to control, and works especially well for flowers that have become pale or slightly yellow after pressing.
In this tutorial, I tested soft pastel coloring on several pressed flowers and discovered a few useful tricks along the way.
What You’ll Need
- Soft pastels
- A craft knife
- A small brush or makeup brush
- Pressed flowers
- Tissue paper
- A face mask (recommended)
Watch the Full Tutorial
Watch the Full Video
Step 1: Create Pastel Powder
Use a craft knife to gently scrape a small amount of pastel into powder.
Soft pastel powder is easier to apply evenly than rubbing the pastel stick directly onto the flower.
Step 2: Apply Color
Use a small brush, makeup brush, or your fingertip to gently dab the powder onto the petals.
Build the color gradually.
It’s easier to add more color than to remove excess pigment later.
Step 3: Compare Before and After
One of the flowers in this experiment had faded to a pale yellow.
After applying a small amount of pastel powder, the petals appeared brighter and more vibrant while still looking natural.
This method is particularly useful when:
- Colors fade after pressing
- White flowers become slightly yellow
- You want to adjust the tone of a flower
- A project needs a more consistent color palette
A Useful Trick for White Flowers
Many white flowers develop a cream or yellow tint during the pressing process.
A small amount of white pastel can help neutralize the yellow tones and restore a cleaner white appearance.
You can also mix a tiny amount of cool blue with white to create a cooler white effect.
Mixing Colors
Another advantage of soft pastels is that the powders can be mixed together.
Just like mixing paint, you can create custom shades to better match your flowers.
This gives you much more flexibility than relying on a single pastel color.
Bonus Idea: Create Custom Backgrounds
Don’t throw away the leftover pastel powder.
Use your fingers or a tissue to softly blend the remaining colors onto cardstock.
This creates unique handmade backgrounds that pair beautifully with pressed flower projects.
Safety Tip
Soft pastels create fine dust when scraped.
Work in a well-ventilated area and consider wearing a face mask while preparing pastel powder.
A little extra protection can make crafting more comfortable.
Final Thoughts
Soft pastel coloring is a simple way to refresh faded pressed flowers and experiment with new color combinations.
Compared with flower dye absorption, this method is faster, more predictable, and allows for immediate color adjustments.
I’m still observing the long-term results, but the first impressions are very promising.
FAQ
1. What kind of pastel do you use, and where can I get it?
I use soft pastels, not oil pastels.
The set I used in this tutorial is a simple 24-color soft pastel set. You can easily find soft pastels on online marketplaces or at local art supply stores.
2. Do I need to spray a sealer afterward?
At the moment, I don’t use a sealer.
I usually leave the flowers in a sealed container for 1–2 days, gently remove any excess powder with a tissue, and then place them in the final project.
I’m still testing the long-term results.
3. Can this help restore yellowed white flowers?
Yes.
One of the most useful applications is correcting white flowers that have developed a yellow tint after pressing.
A small amount of white pastel can help restore a cleaner, more natural appearance.
Want More Pressed Flower Ideas?
Visit Mogutoo Flower Studio for:
🌼 DIY pressed flower tutorials
🌼 Dried flower craft supplies
🌼 Handmade botanical gifts
🌼 New botanical experiments and ideas
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