1. Gather and Prepare Your Flowers

• Pick flowers and leaves on a dry day, ideally in late morning after the dew has evaporated.

• Choose blooms that fit within the press size: up to 19 × 25 cm (7.5 × 9.8 in). Oversized flowers can be trimmed or pressed in parts.

• Gently pat away any surface moisture or dirt.

• For thicker flowers (like pansies or roses), cut them in half lengthwise so they press flat.

2. Load Your Press

• Start with a layer of blotter paper (or regular copy paper, cut A4 sheets in half to fit).

• Arrange flowers face-down or sideways. Leave space between each so they do not stick together.

• Cover with another sheet of paper and a cardboard layer. Repeat until the press is full.

3. Tighten the Screws

• Place the top cover and line up the brass screws.

• Tighten evenly at opposite corners, a little at a time. Flowers should feel snug but not crushed.

• Re-tightening tip: As flowers dry and flatten, you will notice extra space. Re-tighten the screws every 2–3 days to maintain even pressure.

4. Check, Change and Reuse Paper

• After 3–5 days, open the press to check the paper. If it feels damp, swap it out.

• Mold prevention: Moisture is the enemy. Regularly changing paper during the first week greatly reduces the risk.

• You do not have to throw away damp paper. Simply let it dry flat, then reuse it later.

• Continue checking every few days until flowers feel crisp and dry.

5. Harvest Your Creations

• Most flowers take 2–4 weeks. Thin leaves may be ready sooner.

• Use tweezers or clean fingers to gently lift them out.

6. Store and Use Your Pressed Flowers

• Keep finished flowers between clean sheets of paper or in envelopes until ready to use.

• Avoid direct sunlight and humidity to protect colors. Some fading is natural over time, especially from UV light. Frame projects with UV glass for best preservation.