Pressed Flower Crafts: 10 Easy Ideas with Dried Flowers

Pressed flower crafts with dried flowers in a frame, on bookmarks, and laid out on craft paper

Dried and pressed flowers are fresh flowers flattened and dried so they keep their shape and color for crafts. Press them in a heavy book for 2 to 4 weeks, or use a warm iron for a faster result in minutes. Once pressed, you can glue them onto cards, frames, bookmarks, candles, and more.

This is one of the most loved crafts right now. Pinterest shared in its 2026 Hobbies Trend Report that searches for dried and pressed flowers are up 457%. Fall is a great time to start, as gardens and parks offer leaves and late blooms in warm colors.

What flowers press best?

Flat, thin flowers press best. Good picks are pansies, violets, daisies, lavender, ferns, and small leaves. Thick flowers with a big center are harder, but you can press just the petals. Pick flowers on a dry day and press them soon after picking, while they still look fresh. Avoid flowers that are wet, brown at the edges, or very thick.

What you need to press flowers

  • Fresh flowers and leaves: thin and flat types work best
  • Plain paper: printer paper, coffee filters, or blotting paper
  • Heavy book: a big book plus extra weight on top
  • Or an iron: plus baking paper for the fast method
  • Tweezers: to lift delicate pressed flowers
  • Craft glue: clear drying glue or Mod Podge

Method 1: Press flowers in a book

  1. Place each flower face down on a sheet of plain paper. Leave space between flowers so they do not touch.
  2. Cover with a second sheet of paper.
  3. Put the paper inside a heavy book, near the middle. Close the book gently.
  4. Stack more books or a weight on top.
  5. Leave for 2 to 4 weeks in a dry place. Check after 2 weeks. Done flowers feel dry and papery, not cool or soft.

Change the paper after the first week if it feels damp. This helps prevent mold and keeps colors brighter.

Pressed purple flower petals arranged on the open pages of books, flowers flattened and dried between book pages at home

Method 2: Press flowers with an iron

  1. Place the flower between two sheets of baking paper.
  2. Set the iron to low heat with no steam.
  3. Press for 10 to 15 seconds at a time. Lift, let the flower cool for a few seconds, then press again.
  4. Repeat until the flower feels dry and flat, usually a few minutes in total.
  5. Let it cool fully before you move it. Handle it with tweezers.

The iron method is fast and handy for a single card or bookmark. The book method often gives a flatter, more even result for larger batches.

Close up of a person using a steam iron to smooth a white garment indoors, the iron pressing action used for flowers

10 easy pressed flower craft ideas

1. Pressed flower cards

Minimalist blank greeting card decorated with a single dried daisy and a sprig of grass arranged neatly in the center

Glue small flowers onto blank cards in a simple line or circle. Let the glue dry fully before you put the card in an envelope. Add a piece of clear tape or a thin coat of glue over the top to protect it.

2. Framed flower art

Colorful pressed flowers arranged inside a wooden picture frame with a handwritten note, finished framed botanical wall art

Arrange pressed flowers on cream paper and place them in a simple frame, ideally with glass. Keep the design light, with lots of empty space. These make calm wall art and sweet gifts.

3. Bookmarks

Single dried flower laid between the pages of an open book as a delicate natural bookmark in soft light

Glue tiny flowers onto thick card, cover with clear tape on both sides, punch a hole at the top, and add a ribbon. Keep flowers very flat so the bookmark does not feel bumpy.

4. Candle jars

Minimalist flat lay of candles in glass jars decorated with star anise and dried flowers on a light background

Glue small pressed flowers to the outside of a clean glass jar with a thin layer of clear glue. Place a tea light or LED candle inside. Keep flowers on the outside only and never leave a lit candle alone.

5. Gift tags and wrap

Rustic gift wrapped in brown paper and twine with dried flowers on top, presented on a wooden table

Glue one perfect flower to a plain gift tag, or tape a small sprig under ribbon on brown paper wrap. It turns a plain gift into something special in seconds.

6. Phone case insert

Close up of a person holding a smartphone in a floral patterned case, a flower decorated phone case in everyday use

Arrange tiny flowers on paper cut to fit inside a clear phone case. Slip the paper in and put the phone back. Change the design with the seasons.

7. Clay dishes with flowers

Handmade clay bowls with intricate green leaf designs pressed into the surface, small ceramic dishes with botanical patterns

Press a flower gently into a small dish while the clay is still soft, or glue a pressed flower on top once dry and seal it. This pairs beautifully with easy air dry clay crafts for a matching gift set.

8. Fall leaf and flower art

Top view of mixed autumn leaves in warm earthy tones of gold, rust and brown arranged flat on a surface

Mix pressed fall leaves with late flowers for warm seasonal art. Gold, rust, and deep red leaves look lovely on cards and frames. For more autumn inspiration, A Piece of Rainbow has a roundup of fall leaf crafts that pairs well with this idea.

9. Resin style coasters without resin

Couple examining a handmade blue resin art coaster indoors, a round floral style coaster for cold drinks on a table

If resin is not for you, place pressed flowers between two sheets of clear contact paper, trim into circles, and use as light coasters for cold drinks only. Seal edges well.

10. Herbarium style journal pages

Beautifully pressed flower taped inside an open notebook page, a herbarium style journal entry with delicate dried flora

Glue pressed flowers into a journal and write the flower name and date beside each one. It is a quiet, pretty way to remember a garden or a walk, and a nice project to do over time.

Tips for keeping color and shape

  • Press flowers fresh. Wilted flowers lose color and shape.
  • Keep them dry. Damp paper or a damp room can cause mold. Change paper if needed.
  • Use tweezers. Fingers can tear thin petals. Tweezers give you more control.
  • Store flat and dark. Keep spare pressed flowers between paper in a book, away from sun, so colors last.
  • Seal finished work. A thin coat of clear glue over the flower helps hold it in place.

Fall walks are perfect for gathering. Pick a few leaves and flowers where it is allowed, press them that day, and in a few weeks you will have a small stock ready for cards and gifts. Combine them with other budget makes, like dollar store fall crafts, for a full handmade season without spending much.

FAQ

How long does it take to press flowers in a book?

Most flowers take 2 to 4 weeks in a heavy book. Thin flowers dry faster. Check after 2 weeks. They are done when they feel dry and papery all over.

Why did my pressed flowers turn brown?

They may have been damp, pressed too late, or kept in a humid place. Pick dry flowers, press them the same day, use dry paper, and store finished flowers away from sun and moisture.

Can I press roses and other thick flowers?

Whole thick roses are hard to press flat. Press single petals instead, or slice a thick flower in half with care before pressing. Petals give you the color without the bulk.

What glue is best for pressed flower crafts?

A clear drying craft glue used in a very thin layer works well. Put a tiny dot under the center of the flower and press gently. Too much glue can wrinkle petals and show through.

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