Your Microfleur Flower Press Questions, Answered

Using a Microfleur microwave flower press is one of the fastest ways to transform fresh flowers into beautifully preserved botanicals. Instead of waiting weeks for flowers to dry in a traditional press, you can often have pressed flowers ready for crafting in just minutes.

Like any creative technique, however, flower pressing gets easier with a little practice. Your microwave, the moisture in the flowers, and even the weather can affect the results.

To help you press with confidence, we have gathered answers to some of the most common questions about using, caring for, and getting the best results from your Microfleur flower press.

How Do I Get the Best Results With My Microfleur?

Start by reading the User Guide included with your Microfleur. It contains important instructions for assembling the press, choosing pressing times, and caring for its components.

We also offer free video training that demonstrates how to use your Microfleur and get the most from your press.

The most important advice for beginners is to practice with flowers and foliage that are not your best specimens. Every microwave is different, and different flowers contain different amounts of moisture. A few practice batches will help you learn the timing that works best for your microwave before you press flowers you especially want to preserve.

What Comes With the Microfleur Kit?

The Microfleur microwave flower press arrives as a complete kit and is ready to use.

Your kit includes the press components needed to begin pressing flowers, along with a comprehensive User Guide. You do not need to purchase disposable pressing paper or other consumable materials before using it.

How Long Does It Take to Press Flowers?

Pressing time depends on several factors, including:

• The wattage and power of your microwave

• The type of flower or foliage

• The thickness of the specimen

• The amount of moisture in the plant

• The moisture level in the pressing pads

• Environmental humidity

Begin with a short microwave burst—approximately 25 seconds is a good starting point. Once you understand how your microwave and the selected flower respond, you may be able to use a slightly longer first burst.

Later bursts should generally be shorter than the first.

Always wipe moisture from the press platens between bursts. When very little moisture collects on the platens, the flowers are usually dry or nearly dry.

Never leave the press unattended while it is in the microwave.

How Can I Tell When My Flowers Are Dry?

Carefully lift a corner of the pad and liner to check the flowers between microwave bursts.

Properly dried flowers should:

• Feel papery rather than damp

• Be somewhat stiff

• Hold their shape when lifted

• Avoid drooping under their own weight

Flowers that are not completely dry may pucker as they cool. Moisture remaining in the center of a flower can also move into the petals and cause discoloration.

When you are unsure, use another very short microwave burst rather than adding a long stretch of time. It is easier to add a few seconds than to repair a scorched flower.

Should I Keep Track of My Pressing Times?

Yes. A flower-pressing journal can be extremely helpful.

Record the flower variety, its condition, the microwave times you used, and the final result. These notes will give you a starting point the next time you press the same kind of flower.

Remember that your results may still vary. A flower picked after rain may contain more moisture than the same variety picked on a dry afternoon. Younger blooms, older blooms, and thicker specimens can also require different pressing times.

As you gain experience, you will become better at judging whether a flower needs another burst.

How Long Will Pressed Flowers Retain Their Color?

Microfleur presses help flowers retain their color better than many traditional pressing methods because the flowers dry so quickly.

However, color retention varies depending on:

• The flower variety

• The original color of the flower

• The freshness of the specimen

• How thoroughly it was dried

• How it is stored or displayed

Strongly colored flowers, such as red roses, yellow daffodils, blue delphiniums, and lobelia, may retain their color for years. Paler flowers and older blooms may begin fading sooner and can occasionally discolor during pressing.

Sunlight, fluorescent lighting, humidity, and moisture are some of the biggest causes of fading. Protect finished artwork from direct light and store unused flowers carefully.

How Should I Care for My Microfleur?

Some staining of the cotton liners is completely normal. Permanent stains do not necessarily affect future batches.

To reduce color and pollen transfer, press your lightest-colored flowers first. Flowers with heavy or dark stamens are best pressed last.

The cotton liners will eventually need to be washed or replaced because they can collect pollen and plant pigments. That residue may transfer to lighter flowers in a later batch.

Hand-wash the liners gently, smooth them flat, and allow them to air-dry. After drying, they may be ironed or lightly misted and pressed flat inside the Microfleur.

Replacement liners and refill packs are also available when your original set becomes worn.

What Glue Should I Use for Pressed Flowers?

White PVA craft glue works well for many pressed-flower projects. It may be used to attach the flowers and, when appropriate, to apply a protective coating over the completed design.

A light coating can make flowers less fragile on projects such as greeting cards and may offer some protection against fading.

Disappearing purple glue sticks are another useful option for shorter-life paper projects. The purple color lets you see where the glue has been applied, but it dries clear.

Use glue sparingly. Too much glue can soak into delicate petals, create visible marks, or cause the flowers to curl.

Some projects do not require glue at all. For example, you can arrange flowers on a bookmark or tag and carefully cover the design with clear contact paper before trimming away the excess.

How Should I Store Pressed Flowers and Foliage?

Make certain your flowers are completely dry before placing them in storage. Even a small amount of remaining moisture can lead to discoloration or mold.

Place the flowers between sheets of acid-free paper or blotting paper. Protect them inside a plastic sleeve or bag, and then place the package in a sealable plastic container.

A flat plastic storage box or shoebox-sized container works well.

In humid climates, add rechargeable silica gel to the container. Loose silica gel or reusable canisters can help absorb excess moisture and protect your pressed flowers until you are ready to use them.

Store the container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Can I Press Long Ferns or Large Leaves?

Long specimens such as ferns and leaves can be accommodated by placing two 5-inch Microfleur presses next to each other.

Position the presses side by side, arrange the frond or leaf across them, and assemble the presses with clips at the outer ends and along the sides where the two presses meet.

Because this creates a larger pressing surface, you will need to turn off the microwave turntable so the joined presses remain stationary.

Ferns often press quickly, so test your timing with an imperfect specimen first. Pressing extra fern blades and leaves is also a good idea—you may be glad to have them when completing a larger project.

Why Did My Pads or Liners Burn?

The most common cause of burned flowers, liners, or pads is excessive microwave time.

A simple timing mistake can make a significant difference. For example, accidentally entering 200 seconds instead of 20 seconds can cause the press materials to scorch.

Before beginning, lightly mist the wool pads. You may also wet your hand and gently rub moisture across the pads.

Never leave the Microfleur unattended in the microwave. The wool pads will produce a strong, unpleasant odor if they begin to scorch. Open the microwave door immediately if you notice this smell.

Use caution when removing the press because it may be hot.

Microfleur presses are designed for adult use. Children should only use the press under close adult supervision.

Burning is not a normal part of the flower-pressing process when the instructions are followed. If your pads or liners are damaged, replacement refill packs are available.

What Should I Do If I Lose My User Guide?

Do not worry if your original instruction booklet is misplaced. Microfleur user manuals are available online and may be downloaded and printed at home.

Choose the flag corresponding to your preferred language to download the appropriate manual.

Practice Makes Beautiful Pressed Flowers

The secret to successful microwave flower pressing is not finding one perfect pressing time. It is learning to observe your flowers.

Begin with short bursts, wipe away moisture between each burst, and check the flowers frequently. Keep notes about what works, and expect the timing to vary with different flowers and growing conditions.

Before long, you will know what a properly dried flower feels like and when it needs just a few more seconds. Then comes the best part: turning your preserved flowers into cards, bookmarks, framed botanical art, resin pieces, journals, and keepsakes that can be enjoyed long after the growing season ends.