How to Press Flowers: A Guide to Flower Pressing with your Favorite Laser Mom 😉

Flower pressing is a beautiful way to preserve nature’s delicate details and create keepsakes that last a lifetime. Whether you want to save flowers from a special moment or turn pressed flowers into unique art, a flower press makes the process easy and fun!

For me, flower pressing isn’t just a craft—it’s a way to hold onto the sweet moments of childhood. My small children love to bring me little flowers when we're at the playground or out and about. Their faces light up with love and excitement as they hand me their tiny treasures, and every time, I wish I had a way to preserve them instead of just watching them wither and fade.

That’s exactly why I created the Mini Pocket Flower Press—a way to capture those little moments instantly. Now, it’s become a fun activity for my kids, and when we get home, I can transfer the flowers into my larger flower press to continue the drying process. My hope is that over time, I’ll have collected enough of these little gifts to create a sentimental piece of pressed floral art—a reminder of all the love they’ve shared with me, one tiny flower at a time. 

And now, I want to help you do the same! Whether you’re pressing flowers from a special event or simply holding onto sweet everyday memories, this guide will show you how to do it with ease.

Why Press Flowers? 🌸

Flower pressing has been around for centuries, and for good reason! Here are a few ways you can use pressed flowers:
✅ Preserve sentimental flowers – Save flowers from special moments like weddings, baby showers, or flowers given to you by loved ones.
✅ Create unique gifts – Pressed flowers can be turned into framed art, bookmarks, greeting cards, or even resin jewelry.
✅ Enhance your small business – If you sell handmade goods, flower pressing can be a unique and trending product to offer your customers.

Now, let’s get into how to press flowers using a wooden flower press!

Step-by-Step Guide to Pressing Flowers

What You’ll Need:

✔️ A wooden flower press (books work well too!)
✔️ Sturdy cardboard (cut to fit inside the press)
✔️ Absorbent paper (blotting paper or even printer paper)
✔️ Fresh flowers or leaves
✔️ Scissors or a knife (to trim stems)
✔️ Tweezers (for handling delicate flowers)

Instructions:

1️⃣ Trim Your Flowers & Prepare the Press

• Choose fresh, dry flowers (avoid flowers with excess moisture or dew).

• Trim the stems as close as possible to help the flowers lay flat, especially if you want them to be front-facing. Alternatively, you can press the entire flower as it naturally lays or deconstruct it petal by petal to rearrange and rebuild it later. 

2️⃣ Layer the Press

• Place a layer of cardboard inside the flower press.

• Add a piece of absorbent paper on top of the cardboard.

• Arrange your flowers face-down or petal-side up, making sure they’re spaced out.

• If needed, add a second piece of paper on top of the flowers to absorb excess moisture.

3️⃣ Assemble & Tighten the Press

• Place another cardboard layer over the flowers.

• Repeat the layering process if you are pressing multiple layers.

• Close the flower press and tighten the screws evenly to ensure even pressure.

4️⃣ Check & Change Paper as Needed

• For freshly pressed flowers, check them daily at first, as this is when they hold the most moisture and may require fresh blotting paper. Regular checks also help prevent mold from developing. After the first few days, you can begin checking every few days as they continue to dry. 

5️⃣ Wait for Perfection!

• Most flowers take 1-3 weeks to fully press. Keep in mind that smaller flowers will dry more quickly than larger, thicker blooms. For examples, flowers like Gerber daisies may take longer.

• Once dried, carefully remove flowers with tweezers to avoid damage.

That’s it! Your flowers are now beautifully pressed and ready for use.

Pro Tips for Perfectly Pressed Flowers 🌿

To make your flower pressing even easier and more effective, here are some helpful tips I shared in my Mom’s File Club live session:

🌸 Materials & Setup Tips

✔️ Use strong cardboard – Flimsy cardboard doesn’t apply enough pressure. Sturdier cardboard helps press flowers evenly.
✔️ Paper absorbs moisture – Adding absorbent paper (like printer paper or parchment paper) helps prevent mold.
✔️ Test your hardware – Some screws may be too tight. Always check that they fit properly before assembling your press.

🌼 Pressing & Drying Tips

✔️ Check flowers every 3-4 days – Swap out damp paper if needed.
✔️ Trim thick stems – Cutting stems close to the base helps flowers press flatter.
✔️ Pressing thicker flowers takes longer – Flowers like Gerber daisies may take up to 2 weeks.

🌻 Creative Flower Pressing Ideas

✔️ Petal-by-petal pressing – Instead of pressing a full rose, remove petals and press them individually for more control.
✔️ Use tweezers for delicate flowers – Once dried, pressed flowers are fragile and should be handled with care.
✔️ Test different flowers – Some flowers retain their color better than others. Try different types to see what works best!

Where to Get a Flower Press

If you love the idea of flower pressing but don’t have a press yet, you can grab one from my shop! Each of my wooden flower presses is beautifully designed and makes a wonderful gift or keepsake.

✨ Got a laser? Want to make your own? Join Mom’s File Club to get access to the exclusive laser-cut file for creating your own flower press!

Join Mom’s File Club & Get Exclusive Designs!

If you love laser crafting and want access to exclusive, high-quality laser-ready files, Mom’s File Club is for you!

✔️ 3+ exclusive laser files per month (flower presses, tumblers, and more!)
✔️ 6 months exclusivity – These files won’t be available to the public!
✔️ Private Facebook group for pricing discussions, tips, and support
✔️ Assembly videos & business insights to help you create and sell

📢 Join before January 31st to lock in the early bird pricing!

🔗 Sign up here: Mom's File Club

Final Thoughts

Flower pressing is an amazing hobby and a profitable product for makers. Whether you’re pressing flowers for fun, for gifts, or for sale, having the right press, materials, and techniques will make all the difference!

Have you tried flower pressing before? What flowers do you love to press? Drop a comment below and let’s chat! 🌿💬

Ready to Start Pressing Flowers?

🌸 Grab your flower press here!
🌿 Join Mom’s File Club for exclusive laser files!