How to Press Flowers Using Wax Paper

Pressing flowers allows you to preserve their natural beauty and creates a unique way to display them. The process of pressing flowers takes few supplies and is an easily completed task. Memories can be preserved along with the flowers you press; pick a few flowers from a wedding or Mother's Day bouquet to press and frame. Or press flowers and use to decorate crafts.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Wax paper
• Book or phone book
• Flowers
• Brick

Instructions

How to Press Flowers

1. Cut, using scissors, two equal-sized pieces of wax paper large enough to fit inside the book you will use to press the flowers.

2. Open your book or phone book flat to the middle and place one piece of wax paper on the right side.

3. Choose your flowers to press and trim off any unwanted stem. Place the flower or flowers not touching on top of the wax paper on the right side. Do not overcrowd your wax paper, leave an inch or more border all around.

4. Place your second piece of wax paper on top of the flowers

5. Close the book, making sure to disturb your flowers as little as possible.

6. Place brick on top of book.

7. Set book aside for 5 to 6 days.

8. Allow the time to pass, then open your book and carefully peel top piece of wax paper off and finally peel the flowers off of the bottom piece of wax paper. Discard wax paper and use flowers as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Omit the book, put flowers between wax paper and iron on low for 10-15 seconds, flattening gently by applying slight pressure. Trim around flower with scissors, leaving a slight border (1/4 inch at least) after pressing and use pressed flower as desired.

References

• She Knows Parenting: How to Press Pretty Flowers
• Flower Press: Pressing Flowers and Preserving Nature With Waxed Paper