How to Press Flowers Like a Pro: Featuring Kate Punnett of The August Press
In Episode 67, Kate Punnett of The August Press shares how to press flowers like a pro. Discover tips to preserve blooms and create sustainable floral art.
If you’ve ever wished you could hold onto the beauty of your garden a little longer—or found yourself with more blooms than you know what to do with—pressed flowers might just become your new favorite creative outlet.
In Episode 67 of The Backyard Bouquet Podcast, I sat down with Kate Punnett, founder of The August Press, to talk about the art and craft of pressing flowers. With over a decade as an organic urban flower grower and sustainable florist, Kate now channels her deep knowledge of blooms into preserving them through her professional flower press studio.
Kate’s work blends artistry, sustainability, and nostalgia, turning seasonal flowers into timeless keepsakes, prints, and custom commissions. In our conversation, she shared her process, favorite flowers to press, and how anyone—from backyard gardeners to professional growers—can get started.
Why Press Flowers?
For Kate, pressing flowers is about more than just preservation—it’s about slowing down and truly connecting with nature.
“The act of pressing a flower is a hopeful act,” Kate explains. “You’re capturing the energy of the bloom so it can be appreciated long after it’s left the garden.”
Pressed flowers offer:
- Sustainability – Give surplus or imperfect blooms a second life.
- Artistic expression – Create original art, prints, or gifts.
- Seasonal memory-keeping – Capture the essence of your garden at its peak.
- Full-circle use of flowers – Preserve stems, petals, and even the bits trimmed away during bouquet prep.
Kate’s Process for Pressing Flowers
Kate’s approach focuses on quality, patience, and honoring each flower’s natural form. Here’s her general workflow:
- Harvest at the Right Stage
- She presses blooms at multiple stages—bud, full bloom, and even as they fade—to capture the entire life cycle.
- Harvest when blooms are dry (mid-morning or evening) to avoid moisture-related mold.
- Choose the Right Press
- Kate sells her own high-pressure presses through The August Press, designed for durability and optimal results.
- She layers flowers between chipboard, plain paper, and industrial felt, then tightens the press daily.
- Adapt to the Bloom
- Easy to press: Wildflowers, cosmos, pansies.
- Trickier blooms: Pom pom dahlias, peonies, orchids (often require deconstructing before pressing).
- Avoiding Mold
- Use proper layers to absorb moisture.
- Never press flowers that are damp from dew or have been treated with chemicals.
- Work quickly after harvesting to maintain freshness.
- Storage and Use
- Store dried blooms in labeled boxes by color and season.
- Handle delicate petals with long-handled tweezers to avoid damage.
Creative Uses for Pressed Flowers
Kate’s pressed blooms become much more than flat botanicals. She uses them for:
- Fine art prints (archival quality on sustainable agave paper)
- Framed originals (often with museum glass for UV protection)
- Custom bridal bouquet preservation
- Seasonal home décor
- Experimentation with unique materials (recently, vegetables like radishes and carrots!)
Sustainable Floristry in Action
Kate’s journey into pressing flowers began when she realized her fast-paced floral design business wasn’t sustainable for her lifestyle. Flower pressing allowed her to stay connected to blooms while working at a pace that supported her values.
She encourages brides and event clients to choose locally grown flowers if they plan to have them pressed—both for better preservation and to support sustainable agriculture. She also recommends that flower farmers consider offering fresh “pressing buckets” as an add-on service for wedding clients.
Tips for Beginners Who Want to Press Flowers
If you’re ready to start pressing flowers, Kate recommends:
- Start small with a mixed bouquet from your garden or local market.
- Invest in a quality press (or build your own with plywood and chipboard).
- Experiment—press flowers whole, from the side, or deconstructed.
- Embrace mistakes—failure is part of learning.
- Preserve the blooms that mean the most to you—whether it’s a wedding bouquet or your child’s first garden harvest.
Listen to the Full Conversation
Kate shares so much more in our interview—from the most challenging flowers to press, to how she’s experimenting with lily pads, to her favorite “slow art” philosophy.
🎧 Listen to Episode 67: How to Press Flowers Like a Pro – Sustainable Art Tips with Kate Punnett of The August Press on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
Connect with Kate
- Website: https://www.theaugustpress.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaugustpress
New episodes every week to help keep your garden blooming!
