How to Press Flowers: Book, Iron and Microwave Methods

By the Garden Voila editorial team · Updated October 30, 2026 · How we verify

Pressing is the oldest and simplest way to preserve flowers. All you need is a few heavy books and some paper, and in two to four weeks you have flat, colorful flowers ready for frames, cards, bookmarks, phone cases or resin. Faster options using an iron or microwave give results in minutes.

The best flowers for pressing

Flowers with naturally flat faces and thin petals press best:

• Excellent: pansies, violas, violets, cosmos, larkspur, delphinium florets, Queen Anne’s lace, alyssum, verbena, forget-me-nots, single roses and hydrangea florets.
• Good foliage: ferns, small maple leaves, herbs, ivy and grasses.
• Tricky: thick or bulky flowers such as roses, peonies, daisies with large centers and tulips. Press individual petals, or cut the flower in half lengthwise before pressing.
• Avoid: succulent or very fleshy flowers, which rot before they dry.

Pick flowers mid-morning when dry, choose blooms that have just opened, and press them the same day.

Method 1: pressing flowers in a book

Time: 2 to 4 weeks. Best for: the best color and the flattest result.

1. Choose a heavy book you do not mind marking, such as an old phone book or textbook. Moisture can wrinkle pages.
2. Line a page with absorbent paper: parchment, blotting paper, coffee filters, plain newsprint or tissue. Avoid textured paper towels, which leave a pattern.
3. Arrange the flowers face down, not touching each other, and spread the petals the way you want them to look.
4. Cover with a second sheet of paper and close the book carefully.
5. Add weight. Stack more books or bricks on top.
6. Change the paper after three to four days to prevent mold and browning, then leave for two to four weeks in total.
7. Check for dryness. Flowers are ready when they feel papery and stiff.

Method 2: using a flower press

A wooden flower press uses the same idea: layers of cardboard and blotting paper sandwiched between two boards and tightened with screws or straps. It applies even pressure, lets air circulate and handles many flowers at once. Press for two to four weeks, tightening the screws every few days as the flowers shrink.

Method 3: pressing flowers with an iron

Time: minutes. Best for: quick projects; colors may darken slightly.

1. Flatten flowers in a book for a day or two first; this gives a better result.
2. Empty the iron of water and set it to low, with no steam.
3. Place the flower between two sheets of parchment paper on a hard, heat-safe surface.
4. Press down for 10 to 15 seconds, lift, let it cool and repeat, without sliding the iron.
5. Stop when the flower is dry and papery. Finish in a book overnight if it still feels soft.

Method 4: pressing flowers in the microwave

Time: 1 to 3 minutes. Best for: bright color fast.

1. Place flowers between two layers of parchment or coffee filters.
2. Sandwich them between two microwave-safe ceramic tiles or plates, or use a purpose-made microwave flower press.
3. Microwave on low in 20 to 30 second bursts, letting the steam escape and checking each time.
4. Stop when the flowers are dry, then let them cool under a book.

Do not overheat; flowers can scorch or catch fire. Never use anything metal.

Keeping pressed flower color

• Press flowers the day they are picked.
• Change absorbent paper in the first week.
• Store finished flowers between sheets of paper in a closed box, away from light and humidity.
• Display under UV-protective glass if possible. All pressed flowers fade eventually in sunlight.

What to make with pressed flowers

• Framed botanical art and shadow boxes
• Greeting cards, gift tags and bookmarks (seal with clear contact paper)
• Resin coasters, jewelry and phone cases
• Candles and soaps decorated on the outside
• Garden journals that record what grew each year

Pressing is just one way to save flowers. Compare it with the other options in our guide on how to preserve flowers, or see how to dry flowers for keeping their full shape. If you want a steady supply of pressing flowers, pansies, violas and cosmos are easy to grow from seed, as explained in how to plant seeds.

Pressing times by method

How to make a simple flower press

1. Cut two pieces of plywood or MDF, about 8 by 8 inches.
2. Drill a hole near each corner, lining up both boards.
3. Cut several squares of cardboard and blotting paper slightly smaller than the boards, with the corners clipped so the bolts fit.
4. Stack: board, cardboard, paper, flowers, paper, cardboard, repeating as needed, then the top board.
5. Thread long bolts through the corners and tighten with wing nuts.

Tips for better pressed flowers

• Press a few extra of each flower; some always tear or brown.
• Press leaves, tendrils and buds as well as flowers; they make arrangements look natural.
• Label each sheet with the flower name and date.
• Handle finished flowers with tweezers and store them flat in paper folders, not plastic sleeves, which can trap moisture.
• For crafts, use clear-drying glue applied with a toothpick to the back of the flower.

Methods and timings from Maryland extension

University of Maryland Extension master gardeners recommend picking in the morning after dew has evaporated, when buds are ready to open or just before peak bloom. The easiest flowers to press are violets, daisies, single-petal roses and many shrub roses; ferns and leaves flatten well. Chunky flowers such as multipetal roses and carnations, and fruits or vegetables, take longer and need more attention. Remove stamens from flowers like astromerias and lilies so pollen does not stain.

Materials

Use absorbent layers such as newspaper, printer paper, flat cardboard or plain untreated facial tissues. Avoid paper towels, which can imprint their texture on petals, and waxed paper, which retains moisture. Dry quickly to prevent browning. Place a paper layer on each side of plant material to protect valuable book pages from stains.

Three methods

• Weighted book method: place flowers between two absorbent layers under heavy books or between book pages, leaving at least 1/8 inch between multiple pressings, and weigh the top with a brick. Check after one week and replace absorbent material if needed. Allow two to three weeks for complete drying.
• Ironing method: pat off any dew, sandwich flowers between parchment paper and two paper towels, turn off steam and set the iron to medium-high. Press for about 10 seconds, then continue at 10 to 15 second intervals for about 3 minutes, lifting and pressing rather than gliding. Continue until completely dry, then let cool.
• Microwave method: microwave one type of flower or leaf at a time, starting with 30 to 60 second bursts at half power. Open the press after each burst to release steam, let materials cool and check progress. A DIY option is to place flowers between sheets of copy paper and absorbent paper, between two unglazed ceramic tiles.

Iowa State and Missouri agree that flat flowers such as pansies press best, fleshy stems and thin petals are poor candidates, fast drying preserves color, and excessive heat browns petals; after the first week replace the paper and tissues. Missouri also notes you can use phone books or catalogs under boards and a heavy weight in a warm, dry place.

Using pressed flowers

Handle with tweezers, glue with a clear-drying craft glue, and keep finished work out of direct sun to slow fading. Mark the date and flower name on the back. Trial and error reveals which paper and method work best for each flower.

Framing a pressed flower picture

Mississippi State University Extension gives a clear recipe for pressed-flower pictures. Use an ordinary 8 by 10 inch frame, about 130-pound card stock in a neutral tone such as light gray, buff, black or off-white, and leave a margin of about 1 inch. Bright colors overwhelm pressed material. Gather 50 to 75 individual petals, leaves or small flowers, with some repetition for unity. Examples include pansies, Johnny-jump-ups, carnation petals, ferns, ivy, alyssum and clover leaves.

Glue and layout

Use white or clear school glue that dries clear. Put a dab about the size of a quarter on a spare card and apply a thin layer with an inexpensive paintbrush. Lay out the design without glue first, using tweezers to move pieces; use many small placements rather than a few large ones, overlap pieces to suggest depth and divide compound leaves into leaflets. Optionally photograph your layout as a guide. Let the design dry overnight before framing, then sign and date it.

Pressing in a book or press

Mississippi State says non-glazed pages work well and that glossy magazine pages slow drying and can cause mold. For a telephone book, place materials toward the back, skip several pages between placements, keep the book where air circulates and add weight. A press made of two plywood boards, four screws, washers and wing nuts with cardboard and blotting paper gives flat petals with vivid color. Keep petals and leaves from touching while they dry to avoid unwanted textures. Press harvested material right away rather than storing it in plastic bags or boxes. Plan about four weeks and avoid opening the press early.

Fading and care

Pressed material takes on a grayish or antiqued cast over time. Keep pictures out of direct sunlight and strong light. Bridal bouquets can be pressed after the event by taking them apart and reassembling the flowers on a flat page.

Troubleshooting pressed flowers

• Flowers stuck to the paper: they were opened too soon or the paper was too damp. Mississippi State advises leaving the press undisturbed for about a month.
• Mold: glossy paper, wet flowers or poor airflow. Use non-glazed pages and pick after dew has evaporated.
• Brown flowers: slow drying. Use more absorbent layers and change them after the first week as Maryland suggests, or try the iron or microwave method.
• Paper texture on petals: paper towels. Switch to plain tissue or printer paper.
• Pollen stains: remove stamens from lilies and similar flowers before pressing.
• Flowers too thick: separate petals or choose a different method such as silica gel.

Projects to try

Use pressed flowers for bookmarks, greeting cards, candle wraps and framed pictures. For gifts, include a label with the flower names and the date. A pressed picture made carefully can last decades, according to Mississippi State, if kept out of direct sun.

Choosing flowers by pressing difficulty

Maryland extension lists violets, daisies, single-petal roses and many shrub roses as easiest, and ferns and leaves flatten well. Mississippi State adds pansies, Johnny-jump-ups, carnation petals, alyssum and clover leaves. Thick flowers can be pressed petal by petal and reassembled, while fleshy stems and succulents should be avoided. Press different flowers in separate batches so each can be checked on its own schedule, and group similar colors to stay organized.

Always press fresh, dry material as soon as possible after picking. If you must wait, keep stems in water in a cool place rather than in a plastic bag, which encourages mold.

Sources and further reading

• Pressing Flowers and Leaves, University of Florida IFAS
• Garden flowers bloom all year when dried, University of Missouri Extension
• Preserving flowers, University of Illinois Extension

Frequently asked questions

Reviewed October 2026. Sources: University of Maryland Extension: How to press flowers University of Missouri Extension G6540: Drying flowers and foliage for arrangements