DIY Flower Press

Materials and Tools

(2) 11-inch-square pieces of wood

paint or stain (optional)

wood clamp (optional)

drill/driver

1/4-inch drill bit

sandpaper or sanding block

cardboard

watercolor paper (or other quality paper)

(4) 1/4-20x3 bolts

(4) 1/4-inch-20 wing nuts

(8) 1/4-inch flat washers

flowers

tweezers

clear frames or shadowboxes

Prepare Press

Clamp two pieces of wood together and drill holes 1/2 inch in from all corners. Sand holes smooth. (You can paint or stain the wood if you like, or leave natural.) Cut cardboard pieces to fit inside the wood pieces. Cut paper to same size.

Assemble Press and Add Flowers

Add washers to bolts and insert into the bottom piece of the press. Place cardboard piece on press, then paper, blooms, another piece of paper, and another piece of cardboard. Continue layering, allowing the blooms to touch the paper only. Finally, lay the other wood piece on top, attach washers and wing nuts to bolts, and tighten the top down. 

Dry Flowers

Let dry for about two weeks. After two weeks, remove the wingnuts, washers and top and then carefully remove the layers of cardboard and paper. 

Frame for Display

Use tweezers to carefully remove the pressed flowers from the paper, and place in frames or shadowboxes, or use in the craft of your choice.