There's no limit to what you can create with pressed flowers. They are perfect for homemade jewelry projects, for decorating plant pots, and for making all kinds of greeting cards. You don't have to spend a fortune on flowers from a florist either, if you can find a patch of wild flowers, you have all the materials you need to get creating. You just need to invest a small amount in a good quality flower press, and this is where this collection comes in. From options that are ideal for children, to large presses that can handle an entire bouquet of flowers, we've found the best flower presses you can buy.
Microfleur Max Microwave Flower Press
This high-end microwave option is a speedy choice
Microfleur's most popular "Max" flower press measures in at 9-inches by 9-inches, meaning you get 81 inches worth of flower pressing space. This press goes in the microwave for short bursts of heat to dry and press your blooms in a very short time period compared to traditional methods. Flowers, foliage, and plants go between two washable cotton liners, two thick wool pads, and two vented platens, all of which are held together by four clips. This means you can press a large quantity of items (useful while they're in bloom) in a short amount of time. Color retention is exceptional, and the pressed items can be used in crafts the same day.
Hape DIY Flower Press Art Kit
Children will love this press's bright colors and chunky design
This flower press is especially designed for children to get them excited about botany and art. From eco-conscious company Hape, it's made from non-toxic, child-safe, sustainable materials. These include "Green PE," the plant plastic derived from sugarcane. This kit is made up of a pressure-style flower press, a set of six paint pots, a small paint brush, and an art book. The press itself is lightweight and has a handy wrist strap, which makes it ideal to take the press with you on nature rambles.
Nature's Pressed Flower & Leaf Press
A classic pressure press, this has a timeless design
This traditional option from Nature's Pressed is a classic pressure-style flower press. Made of strong plywood, it measures around 7 inches by 9 inches. This comes complete with six corrugated ventilators and 10 sheets of blotter paper. You simply place your flowers or foliage between the blotter paper and the ventilators, then tighten the super strong metal buckle and canvas strap to press the items. This flower press comes with an easy-to-follow instruction sheet which also has project ideas for inspiration.
Rtree Microwave Flower Press
A compact choice that will fit into any microwave
Another microwave solution, Rtree's budget-friendly flower press offers fast results with great color retention for really vibrant results. Measuring in at five inches long, this is a lightweight option weighing 6.4 ounces, so will easily fit into a backpack if you're going out and about to collect your flowers and foliage. Despite the compact dimensions, it will give you around 25 square inches of pressing space. The flowers and foliage are pressed between the two fabric liners, two thick wool pads, and two platens, all of which are held together by two especially strong rubber bands.
4M Green Creativity Pressed Flower Art Kit
This kit comes with crafty extras that kids will love
Recommended for children aged five years and up, this kid's flower pressing set would make a lovely gift for anyone interested in nature, crafting, and art. The kit contains a four-inch traditional-style flower presses that uses pressure to flatten and dry the flowers and leaves, closing with kid-safe plastic wing nuts. Materials to make trinket boxes, greeting cards, and bookmarks, including glue, a brush, some double-sided tape, are also included. This means you can create the ideal kind of items to be decorated with the pressed flowers once they are ready to use.
Palo Verde Designs Plant Press
This generously-sized press is perfect for bulk pressings
Finally, this is the largest flower press we're featuring, measuring in at a generous 18 inches in length with a width of 12 inches. This makes it perfect for bigger flowers or plant pressing projects. It also makes it a wise option for more ambitious pressings, such as if you're trying to preserve an entire bouquet. Using the traditional pressure method, this press is made up of two plywood platens, corrugated cardboard sheets, paper, and a strap with a sturdy plastic closure.
Pressing business
All these flower presses will help you make lovely pressed flower and foliage creations. We've looked at both traditional designs, which use pressure to dehydrate the flowers, and microwave options, that offer a much faster way of getting your products pressed.
Our overall top pick, the popular Microfleur Max Microwave Flower Press, is from the latter category. It's a super speedy flower pressing solution, with a few 30 second blasts in the microwave enough to dry out the average small flower.
Flower pressing is a great activity to do with children, encouraging an interest in both plant science and art. The child-friendly options we're highlighted here, like the 4M Green Creativity Pressed Flower Art Kit with its extra craft materials, make for great gifts.
