Small, medium and large flower presses
Small press, lost screws, now has elastic bands which works well with sugar paper, and other thicker recycled art papers. Quick to use.
Medium press with velcro straps: very useful, extends for many additions, comes with sponge sheets and absorbent blotting paper: I have two.
Large press with long screws. Larger areas to press, comes with card and paper, but takes long time unscrewing and screwing up the long bolts. Easy to lose bolts or washers.
HESPERANTH in pinks and reds make purple eco prints. I picked each head fresh allowing many more to grow. As they dry the scarlet turns to purple, closer to the print colour, but also blue is achievable.
SALVIA deep purple - give a deep blue or purple on silk when bundle dyed
CROCOSMIA orange flowers pressed on black paper which is cheap as a kids' scrap book.
DAHLIA one pressed in small press. Large press used for more. Tissue paper used both sides for thick damp flowers.
HYDRANGEAS blue pressed in large flower press before adding to plastic wallet folder.
GERANIUMS red pressed in medium press then added to plastic wallet folder
DYER'S COREOPSIS pressed in large and medium presses, added to wallet file
DAHLIAS many pressed in medium and large press. They have squiggy centres, which I slightly press to flatten and need tissue and blotting paper each side to soak up the dampness.
When flowers are flat and completely dried, (about a month at least), they can be slid into a plastic wallet and saved in a large folder for easy access for eco printing, or decorative craft. I also have some dried flowers in the wallet which were never pressed last year. They wont be 'flat' for eco printing but can be used for normal immersion dye bath.