Pressed Flowers - An Historic Art Form

As far back as the 16th Century, Japanese artists were forming a new art called Oshibana, whereby large pictures were created using pressed flowers. It's believed that as part of a Samurai's training, they would learn the skill of patience from practicing this art.

These beautiful creations were eventually bought and sold to dealers from Western countries during the mid-nineteenth century. A new fascination with this floral art and in Victorian times, it was considered a worthy pastime for gentile ladies. It coincided with an increasing obsession with the meaning of flowers, and these pretty items were given as love tokens, kept as reminders of special occasions and moments, and for scientific interest in the case of intrepid explorers of faraway lands.

Flower pressing was an accessible hobby too, you didn't have to be wealthy to enjoy it. As long as you could pick a wildflower and find suitable objects to construct a rudimentary press, it was possible. This is still the case, and so the craft is still popular amongst young and old alike.

Should Flowers Be Dried Before Pressing?

Flowers don't have to be dried before they are pressed, but you can. Essentially you will get two very different end results depending on whether you press a fresh flower or opt for a ready-dried bloom. With fresh flowers, the pressing process removes moisture and the final product will be flat. When a dried flower is used, the product has already 'set' into shape so no further moisture will be lost when pressing. This results with a slightly 3-d bloom, but this is great if you want a little more texture to the project you are using the pressed florals for.

Should Flowers Be Dried Before Pressing?

Flowers don't have to be dried before they are pressed, but you can. Essentially you will get two very different end results depending on whether you press a fresh flower or opt for a ready-dried bloom. With fresh flowers, the pressing process removes moisture and the final product will be flat. When a dried flower is used, the product has already 'set' into shape so no further moisture will be lost when pressing. This results with a slightly 3-d bloom, but this is great if you want a little more texture to the project you are using the pressed florals for.

How To Press Flowers

If you have never tried it before, why not give flower pressing a go? We have put together a short guide to help you.

Materials Required For Pressing:

• Floral and botanical materials such as flowers, leaves, grasses, and herbs - look for recently bloomed flowers that are not too damp.
• A large, ideally heavy book, OR a small flower press.
• Parchment paper.

Equipment Required For Arranging:

• Mounting base, such as a journal, mount board or card, canvas board or stretched canvas, scrapbook - think about how you want to display the finished artwork to choose the most appropriate base.
• PVA glue.
• Water.
• Soft paintbrush.

Book Method

Small mechanical presses are relatively inexpensive and allow several flowers to be pressed in one go. These little presses take several pieces of card and paper 'sandwiches' within two wooden pressing boards that have a screw at each corner. This allows for the whole thing to be tightened to squeeze the flower sandwiches. Essentially the method is the same as with the books, except you can stack these 'sandwiches' within the pressing boards to make it a neater operation. The pin below shows someone preparing several of these flower presses to save time.

• Lay one piece of card down, and place a sheet of parchment on top.
• Arrange the flower or leaf on the paper, flattening it as much as possible.
• Place another piece of parchment on the flowers, then the top piece of card.
• Sit this on the bottom wooden press board and repeat.
• When your press has enough 'sandwiches' in it, place the top wooden press board in situ, and begin to tighten the screws.
• After the press is tightened, set aside for at least a week for the florals to dry before going on to the next step.

Press Method

Small mechanical presses are relatively inexpensive and allow several flowers to be pressed in one go. These little presses take several pieces of card and paper 'sandwiches' within two wooden pressing boards that have a screw at each corner. This allows for the whole thing to be tightened to squeeze the flower sandwiches. Essentially the method is the same as with the books, except you can stack these 'sandwiches' within the pressing boards to make it a neater operation. The pin below shows someone preparing several of these flower presses to save time.

• Lay one piece of card down, and place a sheet of parchment on top.
• Arrange the flower or leaf on the paper, flattening it as much as possible.
• Place another piece of parchment on the flowers, then the top piece of card.
• Sit this on the bottom wooden press board and repeat.
• When your press has enough 'sandwiches' in it, place the top wooden press board in situ, and begin to tighten the screws.
• After the press is tightened, set aside for at least a week for the florals to dry before going on to the next step.

Video Tutorial: How To Use a Traditional Flower Press

Traditional flower presses are a great way to DIY some pressed flowers. Take a look a video to see how precious, delicate flowers can be pressed in a few simple steps.

Displaying Your Flowers

When it comes to the display of your pressed flowers, there are many different options. It may be that you go for a journal, a framed note card, or even a larger canvas. even suspending them in resin to create jewellery. As long as they are protected from dirt and damp, there is no reason why these flowers will not last and last.

• Whatever your chosen medium, arrange the flowers first to get the desired composition and layout.
• Once you are settled on the layout, on paper for example, take a very small amount of 4:1 ratio PVA glue and water and cover the paper. Less really is more here, so be careful not to overload the paper and spoil the flowers once you've laid them down.
• Ensure the glue is properly dry before moving the mounted flowers to their new home.
• If you are using resin, the dried product can be used however you wish, in jewellery, coasters or other artwork and trinkets.

Fresh Vs. Dried Flowers - Which Press Better

It's possible to use either fresh or dried flowers for pressing. The finished result will be slightly different, with a ready-dried flower retaining some of its contours and fresh flowers becoming much flatter. Fresh flowers flatten as their natural moisture is wicked away, but a dry flower has already set in its dried state, meaning a completely flattened result isn't achievable.

Is It Better To Dry Or Press Flowers?

Using either of the two methods outlined above, the flowers dry out as they are pressed. It is down to personal preference, however, there are some sound reasons why ready-dried flowers can give a better result. You may have tried to dry your own flowers before and had poor results, with dull petals and brown stems. To retain the colour, and prevent unsightly browning, it is important to dry flowers quickly. It isn't always possible to do this, depending on the time of the year, or method used, so purchasing ready-dried flowers means this isn't a concern.

You may not wish to have super flat flowers for your project or artwork. When placing pressed flowers on a canvas or board, the finished result will be very flat. Using a dried bloom will allow for some depth and texture. A deep frame will protect the work from dirt and dampness, giving a beautiful display for decades to come. Think about what you're trying to achieve with your flowers and let that guide you as to which kind to choose, and what method to use.

How Long Do Pressed Flowers Last

Pressed flowers can last a very long time. Unlike standard dried flowers that may be exposed to dirt, damp and harsh light, pressed flowers are often kept tucked away inside journals or behind glass. This will extend their lifespan. It's possible to purchase pressed flower artworks from the 19th Century that still look beautiful. As with all dried floral products, the level of care they are given will directly affect how long they last and look their best.

Benefits of Pressing Dried Flowers

Much of the work is done. The part of flower pressing that takes the longest is the physical pressing that in turn dries the flowers out to preserve them. By pressing an already dried flower, this part is shorter, although remember you will end up with a less flat result. As the florals are already 'set' in a dry form, they will be reluctant to squash completely, thus giving a slightly 3-d result, but it's possible to turn that to your advantage when crafting.

A dried flower can be pre-purchased, removing the need to dry the product yourself. Professionally dried flowers may have a better shape, form, and colour than home-dried florals, thus giving you a better quality end result.

If you choose to buy in dried flowers for your crafting, there is more likely to be a greater choice of flowers, offering you a greater range of colour and shape for your art.

Go on, try it!

Share Your Makes!

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