I pressed a flower once, and it didn't work well, so I wanted to ask this time how to do it properly. I hear that wax paper works well, but since I have none, will plastic wrap work? What other good substitutes are there, about how much weight does a single rose need, and how long should I press it for? Thanks!
In the past I have just placed in the petals in the pages of a large and heavy book. Close the book and leave the petals in there. The paper helps absorb the moisture and the pressure helps flatten the petals.
I don't think it will work because instead of allowing the flower to dry, it will keep the moisture trapped around the flower. You'll end up with a moldy flower. I've always just placed the flower to be dried between two pieces of paper and them weighted it down with heavy books. It works great.
yes it will. but you will still need to put it in between some heavy books. Step1FLOWER PREP.- For best results make sure you pick your flowers at their freshest and press when there is no moisture on them. The colors are better when you take this extra step. When preparing the flower for pressing give it some thought as to how it will look when flattened. Avoid allowing parts to overlap. Step2 PRESSING YOUR FLOWERS- There are a couple of different ways to press flowers, that I know of. Pressing Flowers in Books - Place flower between 2 sheets of paper (coffee filters work well also) to protect the pages of the book. Best to place flower in the center of a thick book. Weigh the book down and wait a couple of weeks. Flower Presses - You can buy a flower press or make your own out of a couple of wooden squares. To make a simple wooden press: Cut 2 wooden boards, about 1' width and 1' length. (You can also get these pre cut at a lumber store.) Hold them together with a long bolt and wing nut in each corner. Cut pieces of cardboard to fit between the boards, glue them to the inside of the block pieces. Allow this to dry thoroughly before putting in a flower. Place the flower in the center of the two blocks and tighten the wing nuts. Again, this will take a couple of weeks. Step3 After a couple of weeks has gone by. Open your book or flower press and carefully peel out the flower. You can now frame your flower or whatever you have in mind. Be creative.
