Pressing flowers in books is one of the simplest and most charming ways to preserve flowers so they look beautiful for a long time. Besides being cheap and easy for everyone to do, don't you think it has a touch of nostalgia?
The idea is simple, right? You place flowers between the pages of a book to absorb moisture, and after a few weeks, your flowers are ready. But the reality is that in many cases, this won't be enough. So here's a list of things you need to keep in mind to ensure your flowers are pressed successfully.
The book to use
The first thing you'll need, obviously, is a book. The only thing that really matters is that the pages aren't glossy, since this type of paper doesn't absorb water. Now, it's possible that the flowers you decide to press could damage the pages of the book, or that the printing on the pages could stain the petals. Remember that fresh flowers contain water, so to avoid ruining your book, it's best to place absorbent paper between the pages of the book and the flowers so that the moisture doesn't reach the pages directly.
What is the best paper?
You can use typical printer paper, bond paper, parchment, or tissue paper. What you should avoid is paper that has any pattern or color that could transfer to the flowers. For example, napkins clearly absorb water, but they usually have patterns that would damage your final result.
I recommend folding the paper in half to create a folder and prevent the flowers from spilling out and coming into contact with the pages of your book. It also makes it easier to remove the flowers at the end.
The flowers
Keep in mind that the fresher your flowers are, the better the results you'll get. It's preferable to only place one type of flower in a folder, as each type takes a different amount of time to dry, which makes it easier to keep track of your flowers. Make sure the flowers don't overlap, as this will affect their drying process. Also, don't combine flowers that have been pressed for a few days with new ones in the same folder; this can cause mold and ruin your entire selection.
The best flowers for book pressing are flat ones. You don't want anything with many layers of petals or that are too thick. Otherwise, you'll have to press petal by petal or use another pressing method for best results.
Finally, white flowers are a challenge, but we'll leave that for another blog.
How to press?
Leave at least ten pages between each folder to improve airflow and moisture absorption. Don't add more weight to your book until a day or two later, as adding too much weight too quickly can damage the petals. Although there's no exact amount of weight you should place on the book, it should be enough to completely flatten the flowers. Start with one book, and after another couple of days, add one or two more books to the stack if necessary (it all depends on the weight of the books). If you don't have other books on hand or find the weight isn't enough, you can use another weighted object to add pressure to the flowers.
Keep track
Write down when and what type of flowers you press on a piece of paper, a notebook, or your phone so you remember to check them. In the long run, this will help you learn approximately how long it takes for each type of flower to dry, so you won't have to constantly monitor them.
Pressing time
Each flower has a different drying time, and even the time of year can influence it. What I will tell you is that it usually takes between two and four weeks for the flowers to dry completely. To check if they're dry, run your finger over them. If they offer resistance and don't feel like running your finger over a sheet of paper, they're not ready yet.
Final tips
- If your flowers are wet, dry them carefully before pressing with a towel or napkin as this is extra moisture that we don't want.
- I've only talked about flowers but leaves and petals are good options for pressing too.
- After a couple of days, check the pages around the folder to see if they feel damp. Then you can decide to place another layer of absorbent paper around it to ensure the book doesn't get damaged.
- There are some methods, such as painting the petals, to make it appear that the flowers retain their color longer. Keep this in mind in case you want to learn more about it in the future.
Pressed flowers can last for years in good condition. Remember that they are delicate and you must handle them carefully, avoiding moisture and direct sunlight. Over time, they will inevitably lose their color, but don't see this as a bad thing, but rather as part of the beauty of pressed flowers.