How to Preserve Flowers in Book Using Household Items (No Fancy Tools Needed!)
Hi there — I’m thrilled you’re here. When I first started pressing flowers as a little side project, I felt like a magician capturing nature’s beauty and freezing time. Today I’ll walk you through a method that’s truly DIY, easy, and at home, using everyday household items. You’ll also get creative ideas for turning those dried treasures into art, bookmarks, gifts, and more.
By the end of this post you’ll know exactly how to preserve flowers in book — no fancy tools, no expensive kits (though optional ones help) — and how to make those pressed roses and blooms last forever. Let’s dive in!
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Why Preserve Flowers in a Book?
There’s something quietly romantic about stumbling across a pressed rose or daisy tucked in a forgotten notebook or diary. Suddenly you’re transported back to a memory — a first date, a garden stroll, a birthday bouquet. That’s the magic of pressed and dried flowers.
Pressing flowers is also a timeless art form (inspired by Oshibana, the Japanese pressed-flower artwork). When you press flowers, you flatten them and expel moisture, making them durable, thin, and ideal for paper crafts or framed art. Because the process is so low-tech, it fits beautifully into the world of DIY, quick crafts, and creative at-home ideas.
Once you’ve got pressed blooms, they can become bookmarks, greeting cards, framed art, or even decorating coasters and resin jewelry. The key is to do it right so those petals stay vibrant and intact — forever (or at least for years) — rather than yellowing or crumbling.
What You’ll Need — Simple Household Items
One of my favorite things about this method: you likely already own everything you need. Here’s a list of the basics:
- A heavy book (dictionary, phone book, or large hardcover)
- Paper towels, blotting paper, or parchment paper
- Plain white printer paper (optional for layering)
- Scissors (for trimming petals) — see recommendation below
- Additional weight (more books or flat boards)
- Tweezers (optional but helpful)
- Cardstock or frames for displaying your dried art later
Because you're focusing on at-home, easy, DIY craft, there’s no need for professional presses, vacuum sealers, or epoxy (unless you want to level up later). The only “tools” are things you already have in your house.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Preserve Flowers in Book
Step 1: Pick and Prepare Your Flowers
Choosing the right flowers is crucial. Look for blooms that are fairly flat or not too thick—roses (split petals if thick), daisies, violets, ferns, etc. Avoid overly bulky blossoms like peonies or thick succulents unless you break apart petals.
After picking, how to dry out flowers slightly before pressing helps. Lay them on a paper towel or absorbent surface for a few hours in a warm, dry place (not in direct sun). This helps remove surface moisture that otherwise might cause mold during pressing.
Step 2: Arrange Flowers in the Book
Open your chosen heavy book near the middle. On one page, place a layer of paper towel or blotting paper. Carefully position each flower flat, spreading petals gently if needed.
Then place another sheet of towel or blotting paper above the flowers, and close the book gently. Make sure petals aren’t overlapping or catching the binding.
Step 3: Add Weight and Wait
Place extra books or flat boards on top to apply consistent pressure. Store the book in a dry, cool area (no humidity, no sunlight). Leave it undisturbed for 1–2 weeks. Depending on thickness and humidity, you might check in at day 7 and change the paper towels if they feel damp.
Step 4: Reveal Your Beautiful Pressed Flowers
Slowly open the book and use tweezers (or carefully with fingers) to lift the now pressed petals. They should be flat and dry. At this point they are your raw material for creative craft.
🎁 Three (Optional) Tools That Can Help — Product Recommendations
While the method above works fine with no “tools,” sometimes a purpose-made item speeds things up, adds precision, or yields cleaner results. Here are three that I personally find helpful in certain cases. Use them or skip them depending on your budget and enthusiasm!
1. Fiskars Everyday Titanium Softgrip Scissors
High-quality, sharp scissors with a comfortable grip — great for trimming delicate petals or separating thicker stems before pressing. Because precision matters at the edges of petals, clean, sharp cuts lead to fewer ragged edges.
Check Fiskars Scissors on Amazon ✂️ If you're serious about neat pressings, grab these scissors now and make your trimming easier!2. Keepers Flower Press (or similar multi-layer press)
A compact, layered wooden press specifically designed for craft use. You can stack multiple sheets of blotting paper and cardboard with flowers in between, tighten them uniformly, and get more consistent pressure across many pieces.
View Flower Press on Amazon 🌼 Upgrade your pressing game — get a proper flower press for cleaner results!3. Scotch Laminating Pouches (Clear 3 mil, letter size)
Once your flowers are pressed, sealing them between laminating pouches allows you to make bookmarks, display pieces, or protect fragile petals from touching air. These pouches are pouch-style (heat-activated), creating a translucent shield.
See Laminating Pouches on Amazon 📎 Make DIY pressed-flower bookmarks today — order laminating pouches and seal your beauty!Feel free to use just one, two, or all three of these — they’re optional enhancers, not requirements.
Creative Ways to Use Your Pressed Flowers
Once beautifully pressed, what now?
- DIY Bookmarks: Sandwich a petal or small flower between laminating pouches or between two pieces of clear contact paper. Punch a hole and thread a ribbon. A lovely keepsake you’ll actually use.
- Wall Art & Framing: Arrange multiple pressed blooms on cardstock or in a shadow box frame. You could make a floral “portrait.”
- Greeting Cards & Journal Covers: Glue small petals to card stock covers, then seal with a clear medium like mod podge or laminating film.
- Gift Tags & Wrapping Flair: Attach tiny pressed florals to tags or wrapping ribbons for a natural, handcrafted touch.
When I first made a bookmark from a pressed rose, I tucked it into my journal. Months later, every time I opened the journal, I rediscovered that little petal — and the memory of the day I picked the rose — all preserved forever.
Tips for Perfect Results (From My Trials and Errors)
Over years of trial and error, here are some lessons I learned (so you don’t repeat my mistakes):
- Use absorbent paper (paper towel, blotting, or unprinted newsprint) to wick moisture away quickly.
- Avoid thick flowers unless you split petals; thick blossoms often fail to dry properly.
- Don’t skip the “pre-drying” step; if the petals are still damp, mold or browning can set in.
- Store the pressing book away from direct sunlight or moisture.
- When opening, be gentle. Rushed prying can cause petals to crack or crumble.
- Label your pressed pieces with the date and flower type (especially when doing multiple projects).
How to Make Your Pressed Flowers Last Forever
Pressing is just the start — preservation is equally important.
Here’s how to prolong the life of your dried florals:
- Store in airtight containers (zip bags, glass jars with silica packets) to keep humidity out.
- Frame behind UV-protective glass so light doesn’t fade delicate colors.
- Seal with clear varnish, resin, or archival sprays if you’re embedding them in art or décor.
- Avoid high humidity environments (bathrooms, humid basements) — petals can absorb moisture and fail again.
I once made a framed pressed-rose piece and hung it in a bathroom mirror. A month later the petals slightly “relaxed” (rehydrated) and curled! That taught me: location matters.
Quick Crafts You Can Try with Pressed Flowers
If you’re the kind of crafter who loves fast, satisfying projects, here are a few quick crafts you can try right after pressing:
- Pressed flower candles (embed petals under wax carefully)
- Resin pendants or jewelry with pressed petals inside
- Gift tags, bookmarks, and journal inserts
- Decorative envelopes or stationery
- Floral coasters (seal between clear surfaces)
Once I pressed a small daisy and turned it into a pendant. Every time I wear it, I feel like I’m carrying a moment of spring with me.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
To wrap up, here are pitfalls I’ve stumbled over (and you can sidestep):
- Pressing too soon after picking (petals turn brown). Always wait a bit to dry surface moisture.
- Using glossy or coated paper — it traps moisture and slows drying.
- Setting in too humid or warm a spot (flowers mold or discolor).
- Not checking dryness before sealing or framing.
- Stacking too thickly in one press (uneven pressure leads to curled edges).
Final Thoughts & My Journey Writing This Post
Writing this post brought me right back to my earliest days of crafting: sitting cross-legged on the floor with petals, tweezers, and a heavy textbook, experimenting and sometimes failing. I remember the excitement when something turned out — a flattened rose, a crisp daisy — and how that small success fueled me to keep refining.
My hope is that this guide helps you skip some mistakes, get faster results, and enjoy the process. Remember: the joy is as much in the pressing as in the display.
Go ahead and try it tonight — pick a bloom, press it in a book, and see the transformation. Then turn it into a bookmark, a framed piece, or a card. You’ll be surprised how a simple flower can become art.
If you liked this post, feel free to share your pressed-flower projects or questions in the comments. I’d love to see your creations!