Pansies are an excellent flower for pressing at all stages of flower development. Ferns make excellent pressed plants. Leaves and branches with foliage can be pressed to form plant materials with natural curve. Pressing is done by placing plant materials between layers of an absorbent paper material and applying weight or pressure for at least 5 to 10 days or until the plants are dried. Newspapers, telephone directories, blotter paper, or tissues are good papers to use.
Plant presses are also available.
After the first week, check the paper for excess moisture, and replace the paper if necessary. Reposition the flowers if needed. Table 2 lists flowers recommended for pressing. The drying agent in the mixture helps support the flower while removing moisture, preserving the flower's shape and form. The most common mixtures used are borax mixtures and silica gel.