How to Dry Flowers: 4 Easy Ways
Dried flowers can be a beautiful addition to all your artwork. Of course, you can buy dried flowers, but it is much more fun to dry flowers yourself. This allows you to design your artwork from A to Z. Fortunately, drying flowers is not a difficult task at all. That is why we would like to share four methods with you, so that you too can get started with drying flowers. 
Preparation for drying flowers
A good preparation is half the work, it is often said. And that also applies if you want to dry flowers. We would like to share a few things to take into account.
Choose the right dried flowers
Not all fresh flowers are suitable for drying or for use as decoration in yourepoxy resin artwork. It is important that you choose fresh cut flowers with firm petals. It is also important to avoid flowers with a high moisture content. It is therefore best to choose rosebuds, hydrangea, gypsophila, lavender, baby's breath, eucalyptus and grasses.
Pick the flowers at the right time
It is important that the flowers are sufficiently dried before you use them. The time of picking the flowers is therefore very important. It is best to pick the flowers in the morning. In the morning the flowers are still full of moisture, which makes them extra beautiful.
Choose the right flowers and do not pick flowers with brown spots. Choose flowers that are in full flow, before they have started to wilt. Flowers that are too far developed can lose color or become distorted during drying.
Four Ways to Dry Flowers
There are several ways to dry flowers. We are happy to help you with the four easiest ways to dry flowers.
1. Pressing flowers
The most chosen way to dry flowers is to let them dry flat. It is important to place the flowers between absorbent paper. Think of sheets of newspaper, kitchen paper, tissue paper, etc.
Place the flowers together with these papers between thick books. It is important to change the paper regularly. Let them dry for two weeks, under pressure from the book. When the flowers are completely dry, you can remove them from the book. You can then use the pressed flowers for your (epoxy) artwork, making cards and much more.
2. Bundle and hang flowers
Another way to dry flowers is to bundle the flowers into a bouquet and hang them up. This is especially recommended if you choose larger flowers. Tie a bunch of flowers together and hang them upside down in a dark space. It is important that this space is well ventilated. A shed or laundry room can therefore be ideal for drying the flowers.
It is important that the flowers are hung in small bunches. Do not touch the flowers for at least three weeks. The different bunches of flowers can dry well in the well-ventilated place. 
3. Drying flowers with silica gel
Silica gel is a desiccant that absorbs moisture from flowers. It is important to place the flowers in a sealable container. Cover the flowers well with silica gel, so that they are completely submerged.
Now it is important that you let the flowers soak in the gel for a few days to weeks. Although Silica gel is reusable, it is not really environmentally friendly.
4. In the convection oven
You can also dry flowers in the oven. They will shrink a bit and you will get a different effect. Place the flowers on a rack and heat the oven to 90 degrees and leave the flowers in there for 1-2 hours. Stay with them and check every now and then whether the flowers are dry.
Of course you can also buy dried flowers. You have large dried flowers , pressed flowers and small dried flowers for sale at specialty stores.
What is the best way to dry flowers?
The easiest way to dry flowers is to press them dry between two heavy objects. For example, you can press flowers between the pages of a thick book. Most people know this method from back in school when you dried leaves in a telephone book.
Place the flowers or leaves, between tissue paper or kitchen paper, in thick books or a plant press. Are you using a book? Then place a heavy object on the book to draw all the moisture out of the flowers or leaves. Do not choose your favorite book for this: the moisture that is pressed out of the flowers can discolor or deform the pages. You can also simply order pressed flowers and leaves from specialty stores.
Depending on the thickness of the flowers, the drying process is finished after about 2 weeks. Some flowers need 4 weeks. The flowers are then flat. If you want to keep the flowers in shape, you can use silica gel. This takes more time and is also more expensive. Large dried flowers can also be ordered online.
Tips for the best effect
By using a few handy tips, you can achieve the best results for dried flowers. Of course, you want the flowers to retain their original shape and color. Unfortunately, there is no golden tip, but we do share a few tips with you, so that your flowers are also dried properly.
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Protecting shape and colour
Of course, you don't want the flower to lose its color or become deformed. In addition, a flower can also feel brittle when dry. To prevent this, it is important to store the dried flowers in a dark space, with minimal sunlight. In addition, to prevent deformation, it is important to use a heavy object, without bending the flower. -
Finishing and conservation
To protect the dried flowers and keep them beautiful for as long as possible, you can treat them with a little hairspray. -
Remove excess leaves
Remove any excess petals. You also don't want to include delicate leaves, thin stems, or woody stems in your artwork. -
Storing dried flowers
The method of drying flowers by bundling and hanging can be ideal. However, it is important to make equal bundles and small bunches. Then hang them up so that they are air dried. -
Buy ready-made dried flowers
Don't want any hassle? Then you can also buy flat dried flowers , large dried flowers or small dried flowers at itsOkay. Our dried flowers and leaves are of high quality and ideal to incorporate into your epoxy artwork.
Any questions?
We are the Epoxy casting resin expert of the Netherlands and Belgium. Orders placed before 23:30 will be delivered the next day. For questions and expert advice, you can contact our customer service .
