🌸 How to Use a Flower Press
(No. 1 / 100 Botanical Handmade Ideas)
Pressing flowers is one of the most calming and rewarding botanical crafts.
In this short guide, I’ll show you the correct order of each layer in a flower press and share a few simple tips to help you keep your flowers bright and mold-free — especially in humid climates.
🎥 Watch the Tutorial
🌿 What You’ll Need
- A wooden flower press (with straps or screw type)
- Absorbent boards (also called drying boards)
- Linen papers or sheets
- Mini desiccant pads (optional but useful in humid areas)
- Zip-lock bag for sealing
🪴 Step-by-Step Guide
1. Start with the wooden board.
Place one wooden board as the base layer. This gives your press a firm, even surface.
2. Add an absorbent board.
The absorbent board helps to draw out moisture from the flowers.
3. Place a linen sheet.
This is the layer where you’ll put your flowers. It protects the petals and absorbs excess moisture.
4. Arrange your fresh flowers.
Lay them flat and gently spread each petal so the shape is natural. Avoid overlapping thick stems.
5. Cover with another linen sheet.
This keeps the flowers sandwiched neatly between two layers.
6. Add another absorbent board and a sponge sheet.
The sponge (or soft pad) helps even out the pressure on each layer and keeps the whole stack balanced.
7. Repeat if needed.
If you want to press more flowers, repeat the same sequence:
Wooden board → Absorbent board → Linen paper → Flowers → Linen paper → Absorbent board → Sponge
8. Seal and tighten.
Top with the final wooden board, then tighten the straps at both ends. Make sure it’s firm but not overly tight.
9. Protect from humidity.
If you live in a damp climate, place the whole press inside a zip-lock bag, add a mini desiccant pad, and squeeze out extra air before sealing.
10. Label and wait.
Attach a small note with the date — this helps you track the drying time and see how long each flower takes to press.
☀️ Drying Time
Generally, press for 3 to 5 days, depending on the type and thickness of the flower.
In humid weather, open it halfway through to replace the absorbent sheets or boards.
💡 Pro Tip
If you want to reuse your absorbent boards, just let them dry completely —
I’ll share detailed instructions in my next tutorial on “How to reuse drying boards properly.”
💛 Final Thought
Each pressed flower carries a small moment of nature’s beauty.
Take your time, and don’t rush the process — it’s as much about mindfulness as it is about craft.
🌼 Craft & Enjoy — Join the Botanical Journey
I also curate and sell a small range of DIY pressed-flower materials and tools —including dry flower sets, absorbent boards, linen papers, and desiccant pads,
so you can enjoy the full experience of flower pressing at home.
Each set is thoughtfully color-matched based on floral design principles —
so you can create beautiful botanical works with harmony and ease.
💛 Explore my collection → mogutoo.com
Be with you — through every handmade moment. 🌿