If you’ve ever wanted to combine your love of books with something handmade and beautiful, pressed flower bookmarks are an absolute dream. 

But here’s the thing: they look simple on Pinterest until you actually try to make them and end up with crinkled petals, cloudy glue, or bookmarks that feel more like cardboard sandwiches than delicate works of art.

I’ve been there – multiple times. 

I made my first batch thinking it would be a one-afternoon project. Instead, it turned into a two-week process of trial, error, and muttered words I won’t repeat here.

So, in the spirit of saving you from my mistakes, here’s my complete guide. 

We’ll start with how to press flowers properly (because getting this right changes everything), and then I’ll walk you through seven lessons I learned the hard way. 

How to Press Flowers (Without Ending Up with Brown, Crispy Disasters)

Pressing flowers is the foundation of this project. 

If the flowers aren’t pressed well, no amount of clever bookmark design will save them.

Here’s exactly how I do it now after several failed attempts:

What You’ll Need

1. Fresh flowers (flatter ones work best, e.g., pansies, daisies, buttercups, small ferns)
2. Scissors or pruning shears
3. Plain white paper or blotting paper
4. Heavy books or a flower press
5. Extra absorbent paper (like coffee filters or parchment paper)
6. Silica gel (if you want quicker drying and brighter colors)

Step-by-Step Flower Pressing

Step 1: Pick your flowers at the right time

Morning, after the dew has dried, is perfect. 

Wet flowers can brown easily in the press. 

Also, avoid flowers that are already drooping – pressing won’t magically revive them.

Step 2: Prepare the flowers

Snip away excess stems. 

If the flower is thick (like a small rosebud), gently slice it in half with a sharp blade so it lays flatter. 

My first batch had full blooms that never flattened.

So, they ended up looking like floral lumps in my bookmarks.

Step 3: Arrange for pressing

Place the flowers between two sheets of plain paper (blotting paper works best because it absorbs moisture). 

Avoid paper towels with texture.

I learned this the hard way when the pattern imprinted itself onto my petals.

Step 4: Apply weight

If you don’t own a flower press, simply sandwich your paper-covered flowers inside a big heavy book, then stack more books on top. 

Make sure the flowers are spaced apart, because ooverlapping petals can stick together.

Step 5: Change the papers (if needed)

After 3–4 days, check them. If the paper feels damp, replace it. 

Not doing this is why my first flowers turned brown – they literally molded inside the press.

Step 6: Wait patiently

The average pressing time is 1–2 weeks. Don’t rush this. 

I once tried using a hairdryer to speed up drying, but it shriveled the petals into something that looked like burnt tissue paper.

Step 7: Store carefully

Once pressed, keep the flowers between clean sheets of paper in a dry, dark place until you’re ready to make your bookmarks.

Sunlight will fade them before you even get to use them.

And, if this still sounds a little confusing and you want some more guidance, this is the YouTube video I watched when I learned how to press flowers and it’s super helpful. 

Everything I Wish I Had Before I Started

When I made my first pressed flower bookmarks, I thought I could make do with whatever I had at home. 

Spoiler: that’s how I ended up with patterned paper towels imprinted on my petals and glue stains that looked like mysterious water damage.

Here’s what I now recommend as a solid beginner’s kit – they’re simple, affordable, and enough to save you a lot of frustration:

Flower Pressing Supplies

1. Fresh flowers: Small, flat ones like pansies, daisies, or ferns
2. Sharp scissors or pruning shears: Clean cuts help flowers press better
3. Blotting paper or plain white paper: No patterns or colors to transfer onto petals
4. Heavy books or a flower press: The more even the pressure, the better the press
5. Extra absorbent paper (like coffee filters): For changing out halfway through drying

Bookmark-Making Supplies

1. Cardstock or decorative paper: This will be your background; sturdier than printer paper
2. Acid-free glue or Mod Podge: So your flowers don’t turn brown over time
3. Small paintbrush: For dabbing glue gently on delicate petals
4. Laminator & laminating pouches: Or self-adhesive laminating sheets if you don’t own one
5. Sharp scissors or craft knife: For neat trimming after lamination
6. Corner punch: Optional, but makes edges smooth and professional-looking

Optional (but lovely) Extras

1. Gold leaf sheets for accents
2. Metallic gel pens for handwritten quotes
3. Vellum paper for semi-transparent designs

If I had this list from day one, I would have saved myself at least three ruined bookmarks and a lot of annoyance. 

Start with these, and you’re already halfway to success.

Now that you have perfectly pressed flowers, it’s time to turn them into bookmarks. 

And here’s where my real experience (and mistakes) come in.

Lessons I Learned While Making DIY Pressed Flower Bookmarks

1. Choose the Right Flowers (Size & Color Matter More Than You Think)

When I first started, I used every flower I liked.

Big mistake. 

Large, bulky blooms made my bookmarks bumpy, and pale flowers disappeared completely once laminated.

What I learned:

Small, flat flowers work best. Think daisies, forget-me-nots, pansies, or small fern leaves.

Bright colors hold up better – pale yellow and white tend to fade quickly, especially if your bookmark gets a lot of sunlight.

Avoid thick stems or buds unless you split them open.

Lay your chosen flowers on the bookmark-sized paper before committing. 

If it already looks good without glue, you’re on the right track.

2. Arrange Before You Glue (Because Once It’s Stuck, It’s Stuck)

I made the rookie mistake of gluing as I went along. 

Flowers ended up crooked, overlapping awkwardly, or too close to the edge.

So, you should lay out your design first. Play around with spacing.

Take a photo before you glue – this helps you remember your arrangement if something shifts.

Keep a small gap around the edges to make sealing easier.

3. Use the Right Adhesive (Some Glues Turn Petals Brown)

My first batch was ruined by PVA glue. It soaked into the petals and left dark stains.

So, I learned to use acid-free craft glue or mod podge (applied thinly).

A glue stick can work for very light flowers, but it’s not as strong.

Always dab glue lightly on the back of the flower with a small brush. Don’t smear it all over the paper first.

If you’re laminating, you only need a small dab of glue to hold the flowers in place before sealing.

4. Lamination is a Skill, Not Just a Step

This was my biggest learning curve. 

The first time I laminated my bookmarks, the flowers shifted inside the sheet, or tiny air bubbles appeared around them.

Now I know that you should secure flowers first with light glue so they don’t move.

Make sure there’s no moisture left in the flowers – even a little will cause cloudiness.

Use a laminating pouch slightly larger than your bookmark so you can trim neatly.

Feed the pouch slowly into the laminator, while holding it flat so nothing shifts.

If you don’t own a laminator, you can use self-adhesive laminating sheets – just work slowly from one edge to avoid air pockets.

This is actually deep work even though it feels like it should be straightforward. You can watch this YouTube video that breaks down how to laminate flowers in a very straightforward way. 

5. Don’t Skip Trimming and Rounding Edges

Sharp corners on laminated bookmarks can be surprisingly dangerous (ask my thumb).

After laminating, trim evenly around the bookmark, leaving at least 2mm of sealed edge so it doesn’t peel.

Use a corner punch or scissors to round the edges. This will make them look professional and prevent accidental paper cuts.

6. Experiment with Backgrounds

At first, I only used plain white cardstock. 

Pretty? Yes. 

But after a while, I realized certain flowers popped better against pastel, kraft paper, or even soft watercolor backgrounds.

What I learned:

Test different background papers before committing.

Lighter flowers look amazing on deeper tones.

For a vintage feel, try tea-staining your paper before arranging the flowers.

7. Store and Gift Your Work

The first few I made faded quickly because I left them on my desk in direct sunlight. 

Also, I tossed extras in a drawer without protection – petals ended up crumbling inside the laminate.

So, now I know that it’s better if you keep bookmarks in a closed box or pouch until you’re ready to use them.

If gifting, wrap them in tissue paper or a small cello sleeve, so that they feel special and keeps them safe.

Include a little care note saying Keep out of direct sunlight if you’re giving them away.

A Complete Example Process (From Flower to Finished Bookmark)

If I were making a pressed flower bookmark today, here’s exactly what I’d do:

1. Pick small, bright flowers in the morning after dew has dried.
2. Press them between blotting paper inside a heavy book for 1–2 weeks, changing paper halfway through.
3. Cut a background paper to my bookmark size (usually 2″ x 6″).
4. Arrange flowers loosely, leaving edge gaps, and take a photo.
5. Glue lightly to hold them in place.
6. Laminate carefully, avoiding air bubbles.
7. Trim neatly and round the edges.
8. Store in a protective sleeve or gift wrap.

What Could Go Wrong (and How to Stop It)

Even if you follow every step, things can still go a little sideways. 

I’ve been there and I promise, most mistakes can be fixed (or at least avoided next time). 

Here’s my quick problem-solver based on my own hiccups:

1. Problem: Flowers turned brown while pressing

Fix: Change your blotting paper halfway through pressing. Pick flowers when they’re dry (morning after dew has dried is best). Avoid overly thick blooms.

2. Problem: Petals curled inside the laminate

Fix: Make sure flowers are completely dry before sealing. If in doubt, leave them pressing for an extra few days.

3. Problem: Glue stains on petals or background

Fix: Use acid-free glue sparingly. Dab a tiny amount on the back of the flower with a brush instead of spreading it over the paper first.

4. Problem: Flowers shifted during lamination

Fix: Secure them with a small dab of glue before sealing. Hold the laminating pouch steady as it feeds in.

5. Problem: Air bubbles inside laminate

Fix: If using self-adhesive sheets, smooth from one side to the other slowly with a ruler or credit card. If using a laminator, make sure there’s no trapped moisture.

6. Problem: Bookmark edges peeling after trimming

Fix: Always leave a 2mm sealed edge around the bookmark when cutting. Use a corner punch or scissors to round off sharp corners.

Making pressed flower bookmarks taught me two things:

1. Beauty takes patience (especially when it’s made of petals).

2. Messing up is part of the charm. Each mistake will teach you something that the next bookmark will benefit from.

If you end up making yours or you have any questions you’d like me to answer, drop a comment in the comment section below!