There’s something magical about spring flowers. Their soft colours, delicate shapes and fleeting beauty feel like nature’s poetry in bloom. But what if you could hold onto that magic a little longer?
Whether you're a seasoned crafter or just discovering the joy of handmade projects, pressing flowers is a beautiful way to preserve springtime and bring it into your creative work. From decorating journals to making unique gifts, pressed flowers offer endless possibilities — and it all starts with knowing how to do it properly.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through five simple and effective flower pressing techniques, perfect for beginners and seasoned makers alike. Grab your blooms, a cuppa, and let’s get pressing!
1. Traditional Book Pressing
This is the most classic method, and it's as easy as it sounds.
What you’ll need:
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Fresh, dry flowers (avoid anything too thick or wet)
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A heavy book (phone books or old encyclopaedias work brilliantly)
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Baking paper or blotting paper
How to do it:
Place your flower between two sheets of baking paper and then pop it inside the book. Close the book carefully and add extra weight on top if needed. Leave it for 2–3 weeks — patience is key here!
Top tip: Check your flowers after the first few days to make sure they’re drying flat and not curling at the edges.
2. Iron Pressing – For the Impatient!
Need your pressed flowers today? This method is quick and effective, though it requires a little care.
What you’ll need:
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Iron (no steam!)
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Baking paper or a thin tea towel
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Fresh flowers
How to do it:
Place the flower between two sheets of paper, set your iron to a low temperature, and press gently for 10–15 seconds at a time. Let the flower cool, then repeat if needed.
Caution: Be gentle — overheating can brown the petals.
3. Microwave Flower Pressing
Believe it or not, your microwave can help preserve your blooms in just minutes.
What you’ll need:
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Two ceramic tiles
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Rubber bands
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Paper towels and parchment
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Microwave
How to do it:
Create a sandwich with the flower between two pieces of parchment and paper towel, placed between the tiles. Secure with rubber bands. Microwave for 30-second intervals, checking each time.
This method is especially useful when you're working on a project like a bookmark or greeting card and want a fresh flower look without the long wait.
4. Flower Press Kits
If you find yourself falling in love with the process (and trust us, you might!), it’s worth investing in a flower press. Kits are widely available and designed to make pressing easier, neater, and more consistent.
Why use one?
They’re great for preserving colour, and most come with all the materials you need — including proper blotting sheets and wooden panels with tightening screws. They also make thoughtful gifts for nature lovers or craft enthusiasts.
5. Pressed Flower Craft Kits (Our Favourite Way!)
When creativity calls, it’s lovely to have everything ready to go — especially when you want to spend more time making and less time prepping. That’s where a well-designed kit can make all the difference.
The Dried Flower Bookmark DIY Kit from aZenera is one of our absolute favourites. It includes a stunning mix of pressed flowers, bookmark templates in different shapes, tassels, stickers, and even tweezers — all you need to create beautiful, personalised bookmarks. Whether you’re crafting for yourself or making a gift, this kit takes the guesswork out of it and makes the whole experience a joy.
It’s especially lovely for springtime — when you're already inspired by nature’s palette and the urge to slow down and create something beautiful.
Choosing the Right Flowers for Pressing
Not all blooms press equally well. Here are a few favourites that work wonderfully in pressed projects:
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Pansies – Vibrant and flat by nature
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Daisies – Sweet and easy to work with
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Lavender – Keeps its scent, too
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Ferns and leaves – Great for layering and contrast
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Forget-me-nots – Tiny but full of charm
Avoid: Thick flowers like tulips or peonies unless you’re pressing just a few petals.
Ideas for Using Pressed Flowers
Once you’ve mastered the techniques, the sky’s the limit. Pressed flowers can be used for:
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Bookmarks (our favourite, of course!)
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Handmade cards
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Framed art
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Scrapbooking
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Gift tags
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Candle or soap decoration
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Phone case customisation
Pressed flower projects aren’t just pretty — they’re calming, mindful, and deeply satisfying. You’re literally preserving moments of beauty and turning them into something personal.
A Gentle Reminder
Flower pressing isn’t about perfection. Some petals may crinkle, colours may shift — and that’s part of the charm. Each pressed flower is a quiet celebration of impermanence, creativity, and nature’s wonder.
So the next time you're walking through a spring garden or park, take a moment to pick a flower (responsibly, of course) and imagine the possibilities. You might just find yourself starting a new hobby.
And if you’re not sure where to begin, kits like the one from aZenera can make the journey simple, beautiful, and endlessly inspiring.
