If you’re a crafter who loves botanicals, pressed-flower wall art is one of the most satisfying projects: tiny living things transformed into long-lasting, delicate compositions you can hang and enjoy every day. Below I walk you through everything — the full supply list (with approx prices and where to buy in Canada/Toronto), multiple pressing methods, step-by-step mounting and framing, plus trouble-shooting and finishing tips so your work looks professional.
And if you ever want to skip the harvesting/pressing stage, I also offer locally grown and naturally pressed flowers for sale, ready to use in your own art pieces.
Quick shopping summary (high-level)
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Hand flower press / press kit — CA$30–$80
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Microwave flower press — around CA$56.50
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Floating / double-glass frames — CA$30–$60
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Acid-free glassine / tissue — CA$20+
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Archival PVA adhesive — CA$6–$25
(Full breakdown below.)
Full supply list (what you’ll need + approx prices and where to buy)
Core tools & supplies
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Flower press (wooden or screw-style) — CA$30–$80.
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Microwave flower press (optional) — CA$50–$60.
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Blotting paper / glassine / acid-free tissue — CA$15–$30.
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Cardboard or corrugated sheets — inexpensive or recycled.
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Tweezers, scissors, micro-brushes — CA$5–$20.
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Archival adhesive (neutral pH PVA) — CA$6–$25.
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Acid-free backing paper — CA$1–$3 per sheet.
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Double-glass or floating frames — CA$30–$60.
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Optional: Mylar, matboard, UV glass — varies.
If you don’t have access to fresh blooms — or want special colours you can’t grow — I sell loose pressed flowers grown on my farm near Toronto, sorted by colour and species, so you can start crafting immediately without waiting for pressing time.
Budget snapshot
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If you already have tools: CA$40–$90 per framed piece.
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With tools + press included: CA$120–$300 startup.
Using pre-pressed flowers (whether from your own garden or buying mine) can reduce the time investment and let you start the creative part right away.
Preparation: harvesting & selecting flowers
If you’re pressing your own:
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Pick flowers in the morning once dew has evaporated.
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Choose flat or thin flowers that press beautifully: violas, daisies, small wildflowers, geranium petals, greenery, ferns.
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Remove bulky centers or extra moisture.
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Label everything as you go.
If your garden is out of season or you prefer curated colours, you can purchase ready-to-use pressed botanicals from me, all grown without chemicals and pressed slowly for lasting colour.
Pressing methods — choose your style
1) Traditional screw press
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Layer cardboard + tissue + flowers.
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Tighten screws evenly.
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Press 2–6 weeks.
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Replace blotting paper if damp.
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Produces the most archival results.
2) Microwave press
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Uses felt and liners.
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Produces flat flowers within minutes.
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Great for workshops or same-day projects.
3) Book pressing
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Place flowers between blotting sheets inside heavy books.
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Low-cost and easy, but uneven moisture can cause browning.
Even if you plan to press your own, many crafters mix in additional species or colours from purchased supplies — my pressed flower packs are perfect for filling out compositions with petals you may not have in your garden.
Designing your composition
Before gluing anything down:
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Photograph your pressed flowers and test digital layouts.
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Play with balance: odd-number arrangements, vertical botanicals, asymmetry.
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Leave breathing room — negative space makes pressed flowers feel elegant.
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Lay pieces on your backing paper and take reference photos.
Mounting — full step-by-step guide
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Prepare your surface.
Make sure the table is clean, dust-free, and illuminated well. Gather tweezers, adhesive, and backing paper. -
Choose your backing.
Use acid-free paper or board sized to your frame. Floating frames can show a thin sheet or a clean neutral background. -
Dry fit your arrangement.
Place flowers gently using tweezers. Adjust angles, spacing, and stem lengths. Photograph the arrangement so you can recreate it. -
Apply adhesive sparingly.
Use a micro-brush to add tiny dots of archival PVA where petals touch paper. Too much glue can cause staining or dark spots. Apply only what you need. -
Secure petals if needed.
Use small glassine squares to hold pieces flat while drying. Do not press too hard — pressed flowers are fragile. -
Dry completely.
Leave flat for 24–48 hours so adhesive cures without shifting. -
Frame your artwork.
Place the mounted piece into a floating or double-glass frame.
Add Mylar or glassine if you want extra protection between flowers and glass.
Seal the back to protect from humidity.
Framing & finishing
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Floating frames show off the delicate edges and silhouette of each botanical.
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UV-filtering glass helps reduce colour fading.
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Neutral backgrounds (cream, white, dove grey) keep the focus on the flower.
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Avoid direct sunlight to keep colours vivid for years.
Troubleshooting
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Brown spots: moisture wasn’t fully removed; replace blotting papers more often.
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Petals curling: too much glue — try lighter application or flatten while drying.
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Flowers fading: natural over time; avoid sunlit walls or use UV glass.
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Broken pieces: reattach with tiny dots of PVA using tweezers.
Where to source supplies (Canada / Toronto)
Craft & art stores:
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Michaels
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DeSerres
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Aboveground Art Supplies
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Local independent framing shops
Online marketplaces:
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Etsy
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Amazon
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Archival suppliers (for conservation adhesives and glassine)
From me:
If you want locally grown, naturally pressed flowers — harvested from my farm near Toronto and pressed by hand — I offer packs sorted by colour, species, or theme so you can jump straight into creating your wall décor without weeks of drying time.
Project examples & time estimates
Minimalist 5×7 floating frame
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Pressing: 2–4 weeks (or minutes with microwave press)
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Assembly: 1–2 hours
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Total cost: CA$30–$60
Trio of 8×10 frames
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Several batches of pressed flowers for variety
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Assembly: 4–6 hours
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Higher upfront cost for frames, but lower per-piece cost long term
Advanced ideas for crafters
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Combine pressed flowers with gold leaf accents.
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Layer botanicals with subtle watercolor washes.
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Create small frame sets to sell at markets.
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Use thematic collections (spring pastels, autumn neutrals, wildflower blues).
If you want curated materials for these projects, I sell pressed flower bundles made from Ontario-grown blooms, perfect for crafters who want consistent, vibrant colours and professional-quality pressing.
Final tips for a professional finish
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Always use acid-free materials.
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Keep flowers dry and handle gently with tweezers.
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Store extra pressed flowers in a sealed box with silica or paper packets.
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Practice on inexpensive paper before final mounting.
