Are you looking for a fun spring craft idea? See how to make a DIY Flower Press. Learn how to press flowers with your own homemade flower press book. This is such a pretty craft and would be a lovely DIY gift idea.
This craft post is sponsored by Testors and is part of our ongoing Testors Crafternoons series.
We love spring and the opportunity to spend more time outdoors. And after a long winter of rain, we can thankfully expect a super bloom of wildflowers soon. There’s nothing better than fresh flowers in the spring, whether they are from the local market, or picked fresh. And we are ready to preserve them with our DIY Flower Press and I’m showing you how to make your own today.
When you’re gathering flowers to preserve in your new diy flower press, you’ll want to teach your children to ensure they only pick flowers where they have permission. I’m a strong believer of “take only photos, leave only memories” when visiting places that are open to the public, as everyone wants the chance to enjoy the beauty around them. So it’s best to press flowers you’ve bought at a market, freshly picked from your own garden (or somewhere you have permission), or flowers that have been given to you as a gift.
It’s so wonderful to have a supply of pressed flowers ready for crafting anytime with your kids.
Supplies To Make A DIY Flower Press:
- Testors Craft Acrylic 2oz Paint assorted colors
- Wood (x2 pieces) – you can purchase pre-cut pieces at craft stores, or cut your own from the hardward store
- Cardboard – an old box works great, and is a wonderful way to re-use something you might normally recycle
- Paper – parchment paper, blotting paper, watercolor paper, rice paper or newspaper (any paper that will absorb the moisture from the flowers)
- Strap
- D-ring
- Velcro
- Sewing machine
- Paintbrushes
- Pencil
- Scissors
How To Make A Flower Press
Once you have the wood cut to size, the next step is to cut the paper and cardboard as well. The easiest way to do this is to trace around it, and then cut it out.
The next step is to paint your diy flower press with a happy spring-filled design… or anything else you want to paint on it. I prefer to sketch my design out before painting, that way it’s easier to erase mistakes.
Then you can start painting. I used 7 different colors from the Testors Craft Acrylic Paints including Deep Sea, Coral Cove, Green, Ruby, Black, French Vanilla, and Seafoam.
Before you know it, you’ll have a pretty diy flower press, that’s perfect for preserving beautiful flowers in.
How To Press Flowers
Now that your flower press is ready, it is timing to start pressing flowers.
(Of course, you do not need to have made a lovely DIY flower press such as this to press flowers. You can use an old book instead and place the flowers between the pages of the book, but still place the flowers on sheets of absorbent paper such as parchment paper or newspaper. Then place several heavy books on top of the book with your drying flowers.)
Place cut flowers between the sheets of paper… then a piece of cardboard between the paper and the next pressed flower. So essentially you have two pieces of paper between each piece of cardboard.
Tips for Pressing Flowers:
- Make sure there’s no dew or water on the flower petals.
- Press flowers that don’t have a large base underneath the flower (that won’t flatten easily).
- Press flowers when they are in full bloom.
- You can use any type of paper that can absorb moisture from the flowers, but newspaper is a common choice and works well.
Now, you’ll need a strap to hold the DIY flower press firmly together.
Wrap one end of a strap through the D-ring, and sew the strap. I sewed an ‘x’ because it will give the strap more strength when it’s pulled tightly.
Wrap the strap around your flower press and mark where the velcro needs to hold the strap together. Tip: I prefer stick-backed velcro because it doesn’t move around when I’m sewing it down.
Let your flowers dry for 2 – 4 weeks.
And you are done! Happy flower pressing.
Testors paints are the perfect addition to your spring crafting. The Testors Craft Acrylic Paint comes in metallic, glitter, matte, and regular 2oz bottles and can be used on so many surfaces including glass, fabric, wood, clay, metal, plaster, and more.
Testors Craft Acrylics can be purchased at Michaels, Home Depot, and specialty hobby shops.
What will you be crafting this spring?
More Fun Craft Ideas
Looking for even more projects to try with the kids? How about these:
Pin it for Later
Be sure to pin this post so that you’ll have your step-by-step guide when you’re ready to make your DIY Flower Press.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored, so extra thanks for reading and sharing.
Written by Tonya Staab, contributor at 5 Minutes for Mom
Talk with us: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
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I have never done pressed flowers before, but I would love to give it a try.
I have never pressed flowers. I love making peace flags or jewelry.
I have never pressed flowers before!!!
I’ve never tried to press flowers before! Spring time crafts for me are usually my wreaths!
I’ve never pressed flowers. I don’t have a particular spring craft. The ones I do are always year round.
I have not pressed flowers before but I would love to make a spring wreath for my door
I have pressed flowers before.
I have never pressed flowers before. I would love to do it with my granddaughter. I’m always looking for unique crafts to do with her
I have never tried flower pressing before but it looks interesting enough to try out.
I remember pressing flowers as a child with my grandmother.
I used to press flowers when I was a kid!
I haven’t pressed flowers, but the ones you did are beautiful and I may try doing it. Thanks!
I’ve only tried pressing them between book pages when I was a teenager. I like to make paper flowers. Thanks and God bless.
No, I haven’t pressed flowers before.
My grandma used to keep pressed flowers in her bible, I do occasionally find a pretty flower or four leaf clover and save in a book
I have not pressed flowers before.
I have never pressed flowers but I would like to do that.
I’ve never pressed flowers before. It looks like a lot of fun
I haven’t tried it yet but I want to.
I’ve tried flower pressing with a few times with varying degrees of sucess.
I’d love to learn how to press flowers!
I’ve only pressed flowers in books. I considered using silica.
I remember pressing flowers as a child in books but these little “blocks” seem like a fun, multi level creative way to press flowers (and not forget them in books)
I’ve never pressed flowers before but I’d love to try! We love to do all kinds of paper crafts in Spring!
I’ve pressed flowers before but I have never used them in a craft project.
I’ve never pressed flowers to use in any kind of craft project.
I have not pressed flowers before. My latest craft is painting rocks and I can’t wait to color Easter eggs.
I have pressed a few but only in books. Just don’t press anything too wet. I love crafts like glitter on pine cones, and cinnamon decorations. All with the grand kids.
I have never pressed flowers before, but I would love to give it a try. In spring I am usually making Easter crafts and decor or getting my outdoor decor ready for when the weather turns nice.
no, I have never pressed flowers
I have pressed flowers before – but your flower press looks more easy to use than the old screw-type I have somewhere.
I have never tried this but would love to they look so beautiful and we have plenty of flowers in the spring and summer months.
I have never pressed flowers.
Yes, I have pressed flowers before. Be sure to select the best and sturdiest flowers you have for best results.
I have never pressed flowers in a press but I have used old heavy books.
No, I have not done pressed flowers before.
I have never pressed flowers before, but I have some my grandma pressed years ago!
I would like to learn always were interested in it but never made the effort. If I win I will certainly startðŸ‘
Well, wrote a pretty long email & looked away & it was gone, so maybe I can do better with this one. I press flowers alot, I love to make & give nature journals & always include several of my own pages. I’ve already worn one press out & am currently using my dictionary. Currently working on a sensory book for my grandson.
I have not pressed flowers before but I want to give it a try.
I’m excited to try making this flower press—I always did the wax paper with an iron press as a kid!
I haven’t pressed flowers in a veryyyyy long time but I plan on doing it with my daughter for a project…
I have pressed flowers but it was a long, long time ago. My Grandmother taught us how to do it with flowers from her own garden.
I have not pressed flowers before, but I think it’s an especially cool craft for remembering special moments.
I’ve never pressed flowers before but it looks simple enough to try
I pressed roses from graduation before but haven’t done it in years.
I have never pressed flowers before
This is such an easy way to press flowers and pretty too. I love those paint colors! Much more fun than pressing between books. I think I may already have all of the supplies on hand.
I pressed flowers many years ago as a child and would like to start again with my grand daughter.
I haven’t pressed flowers since I was a kid. (We were low tech, wax paper, and stick it in the middle of Mom’s big fancy family bible. Ha.) I love this idea, I know my daughter would LOVE to create one of these with me. Thanks for the cool craft idea!
I’ve never pressed flowers before but my daughters used to press them between books when they were younger.
Great post! Thanks!
I always wanted to do this craft!
I haven’t pressed flowers before. My favorite Spring craft is Easter wreaths.
I’ve never tried this before and would like to.
I ave pressed flowers but not for many years. May have to try it again!
I pressed flowers as a child. So fun!
i have never pressed flowers
I have never done it before but would like to try.
My mom taught me how to press flowers as a young girl, now I will show my daughter:)
I haven’t, although I’ve wanted to try it. I have some framed pressed flowers that my cousin in Switzerland made and sent me and I love them.
I have not pressed flowers before but have looked into it many times. I’m not sure why I never tried even though I am interested in it
I’ve never pressed any before but I’ve wanted to.
the first time I ever pressed flowers was right after my grandfather passed. Me and mom pressed the flowers we where given from his grave. Then next time was the first flowers I ever received from a boyfriend.
I have never pressed flowers before
I have never pressed flowers before. I would love to try this with my girls. Thank you
We frequently press or dry flowers in my house
I have pressed flowers before and they came out nice.
I have a large, wooden flower press (thanks, Mom!) but can’t tote the heavy thing around. The one pictured above would be great for taking with me into the woods and fields. Thanks for the opportunity to win one.
I pressed flowers a long time ago, but don’t remember any techniques that I used since it was so long ago
I have never pressed flowers but this would be wonderful to create and share with my granddaughters who love creative crafts and especially so for the Spring. What a lovely feature and giveaway which they would treasure.
I love painting pots to get ready for all my spring plantings!
I’ve never pressed flowers, but always wanted to! We often would make homemade birdfeeders in the spring.
I had a flower press & pretty much wore it out so this reminded me that I needed to make another. After all, I may want to use he dictionary but it’s full of leaves & flowers! I also love making paper & handmade journals
I have never pressed flowers before but it’s something I would love to try! We are redecorating our home in a farmhouse theme so this spring I’m planning on doing some crafting to custom outlets home decor.
When i was a little girl, i spend many hours in my grandmas garden picking little pink and yellow and purple flowers. She always loved it when i braught them inside and said she will keep them forever. After she passed away many years later , we found many of my flowers pressed in her old books. I never removed them from the books, instead i wilö keep the books forever and gaze at the whimsical little secret they hold.
I have never pressed flowers before, but would like to.
I’ve only had practice runs for pressing flowers! Still in the learning phase, but loving every minute of it!
I have but it has been a while ago
I have a flower press and do lots of flowers from my garden, and make bookmarks.
I’ve never pressed flowers but it looks fun!
No, we have not pressed flowers before.
I have never pressed flowers before.. I like how you painted poppys on yours, very pretty.
I have never pressed flowers before, but what a great way to save memories.
Never done this before but this is an awesome idea and looks so pretty and unique!
I have never pressed flowers before!
I don’t have any but i can think of many ways to use this!
I’ve never pressed flowers, but I’d love to try
I didn’t know how to press them correctly, I must try’t now
What a beauty! I will decorate my jewelry box
I tried to press flowers a long time ago; back in about 1999 or so. But I wasn’t successful.
I have never pressed flowers.
we used to just put them in a big book
Looks great!
I have not pressed flowers before.
These look perfect for a weekend party making birdhouse ornaments for Christmas.
It’s been a really long time since I pressed flowers. I think I might do some this year.
I have pressed flowers before but it did not turn out well. I need tips…. I don’t have any to give away.
Used to press flowers every year. Used a laundry rack to hang them first and get some of the excess moisture out.
What a fantastic idea to use a laundry rack for drying them first! Thanks for sharing.
I haven’t pressed flowers but would love to learn
When I was a child I pressed flowers between the pages of my Grandmothers very large English Dictionary and the family bible.
I never have but would like to learn how!
A great idea for keeping memories, thank you!
I used acid free sketch paper instead of parchment paper
Great suggestion!!! Acid free sketch paper is great.