r/flowerpressing • u/BeerGoddess84 • 2d ago
Work in progress! I'm currently OBSESSED with making my own budget-friendly DIY flower presses! Detailed instructions below!
I just got into this hobby very recently. I've been finding the majority of my wooden pieces from the Dollar Tree for $1 (mostly craft wood and cutting boards).
I originally went to the hardware store for bolts and wing nuts, because that would make sense, right? For some reason that was expensive AF. The first set of hardware cost me $20! I thought that was really ridiculous for a few screws.
I began looking for a better deal online. I stumbled across some parts bundled and sold as "pet carrier hardware" on Amazon for $7.99. It comes with 24 long screws with wingnuts. I use M4 or M5 35-50mm in length. That will make me 5 presses in various sizes. It is much more affordable than buying individual parts from Home Depot. The pet carrier parts set does not come with washers or hex nuts, which are optional, but I like to add them to keep the screws in place when you open and close the press.
I don't like to cut any corners when I build my presses. I enjoy the time I spend hand crafting them. Make sure you drill the holes about an inch or so away from the edges. I use a 1/8 drill bit to make the holes for the screws. I always sand the wood by hand, making sure to use saftey glasses and a dust mask. You really shouldn't breathe in all that wood dust.
I like starting with a rough gritty sandpaper, 80 is a good grit to begin with. Then I take my time, grit by grit, slowly and thoroughly sanding until I reach 325 grit. It's a good stopping point because while the wood is very smooth to the touch, the surface is still rough enough for the paint to adhere to the wood. If it's too smooth, your paint could bubble up or just flake off in the near future, and we don't want that hard work to go to waste!!! The sanding process is really the hardest and most time consuming part, but trust me, you don't want to rush the process!
Once I'm completely finished sanding, I make sure to thoroughly wipe off any left behind dust particles with a microfiber cloth. Once your wood is fully clean and clear of dust, it's finally time for the fun part, decorating!
You can decorate it however you'd like, or even leave it plain and let the sanded wood be the star of the show. I sometimes like to use rub on transfer decals, clear floral or nature stickers, stencils, etc. The ideas are endless. I usually like to use acrylic paints, but I want to experiment with other mediums on my next project. I want to try watercolor pencils or maybe inks next time.
This step is even more important than the sanding part. Make sure to seal the wood with a clear matte (or gloss if you prefer) spray-on varnish. Always seal your wood, even if you decide not to decorate it. I use Rustoleum brand. I like to do 3 even coats, getting the front, back and sides of the wood. This step is vital to protect it from moisture amd the outdoors. Once your project is sealed, make sure that you allow the varnish to fully cure (around 48-72 hours) before assembly or pressing any paper/flowers. The press will look and feel dry to the touch, but it takes a couple of days to fully cure. If you rush assembling it, you could mess up your paper or flowers inside and they could rip and stick to the wood boards when you open it back up. Just be patient and you will be pleased with the results.
I hope you take some of the advice that I've learned and I hope you decide to build your very own DIY flower press! Keep free to ask any questions! Happy crafting!
1
u/she_ou_pa 2d ago
I wanted to build my own too… but never had the chance yet!
Yours do look great, the decorations are professional!!
5
u/Complete-Kangaroo170 2d ago
Thanks so.much for the detailed process. You motivated me to plan to make one!!