Pressing flowers is a timeless craft that allows you to capture and preserve nature's beauty. However, one common challenge is preventing the flowers from turning brown during the pressing process. Here's a comprehensive guide with detailed hacks and tips on how to press flowers without turning brown.
1. Choose Fresh Flowers
To achieve beautifully pressed flowers, select fresh flowers that are not wilted. Fresh blooms have vibrant pigments and are less likely to have begun the decay process, which helps retain their colour during pressing.
Pick flowers early in the morning after the morning dew has evaporated. This ensures they are at their freshest and free from excess moisture, which can cause browning. Garden flowers, wildflowers, and even larger flowers can be excellent choices for pressing.
Remember that some flowers are more prone to browning quickly due to their delicate structure and high moisture content. Flowers with thin, delicate petals that are highly pigmented often brown faster.
These flowers require careful preparation and pressing techniques to minimise browning and preserve beauty.
- Roses: The red and dark-coloured varieties have high pigment content.
- Tulips: Their thin petals and high water content make them susceptible to browning.
- Lilies: The large, fleshy petals can retain moisture, leading to browning.
- Peonies: Known for their lush, layered petals, which can trap moisture.
- Poppies: The delicate nature of their petals makes them prone to browning.
- Dahlias: Their thick, dense petals can hold moisture, causing them to brown quickly.
2. Dry The Flowers Before Pressing
Ensure the flowers are dry before you start the pressing process. Use paper towels and gently pat them dry to remove surface moisture. Drying flowers completely is essential because residual moisture can lead to browning by promoting microbial growth and oxidation.
Consider drying them with silica gel before pressing for thicker flowers or those with fleshy petals. Silica gel is an excellent desiccant that absorbs moisture efficiently, helping to preserve the colour and structure of the flowers better than air drying alone.
3. Use Absorbent Materials
When pressing flowers, use absorbent materials like parchment paper, blotting paper, or coffee filters to sandwich the flowers. These materials help wick away any remaining moisture.
Place your blooms between two sheets of parchment or non-glossy paper before placing them in a heavy book or a wooden flower press.
This helps in preventing moisture from being trapped and causing browning. Absorbent paper, such as blotter paper, is particularly effective in ensuring that the flowers dry evenly.
When pressing multiple flowers, place sheets of absorbent paper between each layer to prevent moisture transfer from one flower to another.
4. Apply Consistent Pressure
Applying consistent pressure is crucial, whether using a book method, a wooden press, or a microwave flower press. Place the paper-covered flowers inside a heavy book and add weight on top if needed.
A wooden flower press with wing nuts lets you adjust the pressure more precisely. Even pressure ensures that the flowers dry uniformly.
Uneven pressure can lead to areas where moisture is trapped, causing those parts to brown. For thicker flowers, ensure the pressure is distributed evenly to avoid incomplete drying.
5. Know When To Stop Pressing The Flowers
Pressing for too short a time can leave residual moisture, leading to browning and mould growth, while pressing for too long, especially in humid or warm conditions, can cause the flowers to lose their vibrant colour and turn brown due to prolonged oxidation.
Finding the right balance and ensuring a consistent, controlled environment during the pressing process helps maintain the flowers' natural hues.
So, how long do you have to press the flowers? Flowers typically need to be pressed for 2-4 weeks to ensure they are completely dry and preserved when using a book or a wooden press.
For quicker results, try a microwave flower press. Depending on the flower type and microwave settings, it can give you similar results in just a few minutes.
6. Maintain A Cool, Dark Environment
Store the pressing setup in a cool, dark place for a few weeks, typically around 2-4 weeks. Avoid sunlight and high temperatures, as they can accelerate the breakdown of pigments, leading to browning.
A cool, dark environment slows down this degradation process, helping to preserve the flower's colour. Avoid places with high humidity, as moisture in the air can also affect the drying process.
If you live in a humid area, turn your dehumidifier on in the room where you are pressing flowers to keep moisture levels low.
7. Avoid Frequent Checking
Resist the temptation to check on your flowers frequently during the pressing process. Opening the book or flower press too often can disrupt drying and expose the flowers to air and light, leading to browning.
Patience is key to achieving beautifully pressed flowers. Leave them undisturbed for the recommended time to ensure they dry completely. If using a microwave flower press, follow the instructions to avoid over-drying or uneven drying, which can also cause browning.
8. Consider Drying Your Flower With Silica Gel
Consider drying your flowers with silica gel before pressing them. Silica gel absorbs moisture and helps dry flowers quickly and efficiently, which is particularly useful for larger flowers or those with thicker petals. Once the flowers are dry, you can press them as usual.
This method is especially effective for preserving the vibrant colours of the flowers, preventing them from turning brown.
Conclusion About How To Press Flowers
By following these tips and understanding the reasons behind them, you can enhance your flower-pressing technique and enjoy beautifully preserved blooms with vibrant colours.
Whether you're creating pressed flower crafts, pressed flower art, or simply preserving flowers as a hobby, these methods will help you achieve the best results.
At The Daily Blooms, we offer stunning arrangements of dried flowers and preserved flowers that capture their essence and timeless beauty. Explore our collection of flower boxes today to find the perfect addition to your craft projects or home décor!
Frequently Asked Questions About How To Make Pressed Flowers
How Do You Preserve Fresh Flowers Permanently?
To preserve fresh flowers permanently, start by drying them thoroughly to remove all moisture, which can be done using silica gel, air drying, or pressing methods.
Once dried, you can use a clear sealant spray, such as acrylic spray, to protect the flowers from humidity and UV light.
Is It Better To Dry Or Press Flowers?
The choice between drying and pressing flowers depends on the intended use and desired outcome. Drying flowers retain a three-dimensional shape and can be used in various decorative arrangements. Pressing flowers, on the other hand, flattens them, making them ideal for crafts, artwork, and framing.
Why Have My Pressed Flowers Lost Colour?
Pressed flowers can lose colour due to several factors, including exposure to direct sunlight, high humidity, and prolonged pressing times. The natural pigments in the flowers may degrade over time when exposed to light and air.
How Long Do Pressed Flowers Last?
Pressed flowers can last for many years if they are properly dried and stored. Factors such as exposure to light, humidity, and air can affect their longevity.
For the best preservation, keep pressed flowers away from direct sunlight and moisture, and consider framing them behind UV-protective glass to maintain their colours and integrity.
