I've been pressing flowers professionally for nearly four years now, creating pressed flower greeting cards, pressed flower frames, and pressed flower artwork that I sell at markets. During this time, I’ve tried out various flower presses, including samples I ordered while prototyping my very own Purple Heart Press flower press.
Now, my own press is the only one I use because it saves me time and consistently delivers beautifully pressed flowers that I’m proud to showcase in my work.
Can’t I Just Use a Book?
You’ve probably seen comments on social media about pressing flowers, with advice like, "Just use a book." Sure, you can use a book to press flowers, and it might work for small flowers or in a pinch when you’re out and about. But here’s the thing, it won’t give you the best results.
I’ve tried pressing flowers in books, and the result weren’t great which is why I stick to my flower press.
You might also hear about using a microwave or an iron to speed up the process. I haven’t tried these methods for a few reasons:
- Flower structure: I don’t like to think of the damage these methods might do to the delicate structure of the flowers.
- Longevity: I’m unsure about how these methods might affect the longevity of the pressed flowers in my artwork.
- Love for the craft: The slow process of the traditional flower pressing method appeals to me, and plays a large part in my attraction to the craft.
Key Elements of a Flower Press
Every flower press will have some variation of the same components: Cover plates on the outside, cardboard to separate the layers, absorbent paper layers inside the cardboard, and bolts and wingnuts to hold it all together.
Some will even have some fancy extras – foam, blotting paper, or a plastic bag for storage etc. I personally don’t see the necessity for all these extras and I don’t use them.
What Do I Look For in a Flower Press?
Not all flower presses are created equal. I’m pretty fussy with my craft, and this is what I look for when it comes to my flower press. Who would have thought there was so much to consider!
Why Cover Plates Matter
When it comes to the covers of a flower press, I look for two thing - thickness and size.
The thickness is important because you want the covers to remain straight and press evenly under the pressure of the tightened bolts. Thin covers, or covers that are susceptible to moisture, could end up bowing in the middle. This will result in the flowers positioned in middle of the press not pressing properly or even spoiling.
For me the perfect size is not too small and not too large… now I sound like the Goldilocks of flower pressing. My sweet spot? An 8-inch by 10-inch press. It’s large enough to fit a good number of small flowers, and can also fit larger flowers or a stem in it without being so big that you need extra bolts to press evenly.
The Right Cardboard
It needs to be corrugated cardboard – this is made of three ply construction with two smooth outer faces and a wavy, fluted corrugation layer sandwiched in the middle.
Why is this important? I believe the fluted layer allows for better air circulation, which is crucial for controlling moisture. This is by no means scientific, it’s just something I think helps in the flower pressing process.
The Magic of Absorbent Paper
If there’s one feature that can make or break your flower pressing results, it’s the paper.
This is also where you will find the most difference between flower presses – and the feature I love the most about the Purple Heart Press.
I have tried everything – presses that come with no paper or a cardboard type paper. A press with plastic backed cardboard, a big no no! I’ve also purchased special blotting paper which was a waste of money.
I did a course which said to use regular copy paper and change the paper out every day until the paper feels completely dry. I did this for a while with good results but it was a very labour intensive process.
Then I designed my own flower press and the absorbent paper inside is THE BEST. It’s thin yet incredibly effective at soaking up moisture without feeling damp. This paper has been a total game-changer, saving me countless hours because I don’t have to change papers every day to ensure consistently beautiful results.
The Nuts and Bolts of Flower Pressing
Now we get down the nuts and bolts of things, sorry I couldn’t help myself! And yes, size matters…
I look for long bolts to allow the room needed to press chunkier flowers, like roses, until they naturally flatten. The bolts on the Purple Heart Press are 8 inches long to give that extra space.
As someone who always manages to drop the wingnuts, I made those larger too! It makes the press much easier to tighten and open, there is always a sense of satisfaction when you get the perfect spin.
Achieving Great Results
Choosing the right flower press can make all the difference in your flower pressing results. With many options available, it’s important to focus on the elements that impact on your flower pressing craft: sturdy cover plates, corrugated cardboard, absorbent paper, and properly sized bolts and wingnuts.
Through years of experience, I’ve found that a well-designed press saves time and consistently delivers vibrant pressed flowers.