Pressed flower art flat lay with white frame and dried botanicals on cream linen
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Pressed Flower Art to Sell: How to Make $20+ Per Frame

ByAmanda Ecklind

If you have ever walked past a little boutique or scrolled through an Etsy shop and spotted a delicate pressed flower frame with a $28 price tag, you probably thought one of two things: “That is so pretty” or “Wait, I could make that.” The good news is, you absolutely can, and people are genuinely willing to pay for it.

Pressed flower art is one of those crafts that looks like it requires years of skill, but the truth is the hardest part is just waiting for the flowers to dry. The technique itself is simple, the supplies are affordable, and the finished pieces are stunning. Whether you want to sell at a local market, open an Etsy shop, or just make thoughtful handmade gifts, this is a craft worth picking up.

Here is everything you need to know to get started, including how to price your pieces for $20 and up per frame.

What You Will Need

You do not need a lot to get started, and most of these supplies are inexpensive and reusable for many projects.

How to Press Your Flowers

The pressing process takes 1 to 3 weeks depending on the thickness of your flowers, so plan ahead before a craft fair or a batch of orders.

Step 1: Pick or Buy Your Flowers at Peak Bloom

Choose flowers that are fully open but not yet starting to fade. Early morning is the best time to pick from a garden because the blooms are fresh and hydrated. If you are buying from a florist or grocery store, look for flowers that just opened.

Avoid very thick or fleshy flowers like roses or succulents when you are first starting out. They take much longer to press and can develop mold if not dried carefully.

Hands carefully selecting pressed flowers to use in a frame

Step 2: Arrange Flowers on Parchment Paper

Lay a sheet of parchment paper inside your press or between pages of a heavy book. Place your flowers face down in a single layer, making sure petals are spread out and not overlapping. Flowers will press exactly as they look right now, so take a moment to arrange them the way you want them to look in the final piece.

Cover with another sheet of parchment paper.

Arranging fresh flowers in a wooden flower press with parchment paper

Step 3: Press and Wait

Close your press tightly (or stack heavy books on top). Place in a warm, dry spot away from humidity. Check after about a week. If the paper feels damp, swap out the parchment for fresh sheets and close it back up.

Most flowers are fully dry and ready to use within 1 to 3 weeks. You will know they are done when they feel papery and crisp, with no soft or flexible areas.

Step 4: Store Until Ready to Use

Pressed flowers are fragile. Keep them between sheets of parchment paper in a flat box or folder until you are ready to work with them. Avoid bending or stacking pressed pieces on top of each other without protection.

How to Create Your Pressed Flower Frames

Once your flowers are pressed and dried, the fun part begins.

Step 5: Choose Your Background and Layout

Cut your cardstock or watercolor paper to fit your frame. Lay the glass from the frame on top and trace around it, then cut just inside the line so it fits neatly.

Before gluing anything, spend a few minutes arranging your pressed flowers on the background without adhesive first. This is your planning stage. Try a few different layouts: asymmetrical arrangements, corner sprays, all-over botanical patterns, or a simple centered cluster. Take a photo of layouts you like so you can reference them when gluing.

Arranging pressed flowers on cream cardstock background using tweezers

Step 6: Glue Your Arrangement

Using a small paintbrush or a toothpick, apply the tiniest dot of glue to the back of each petal or stem. Use tweezers to place each piece exactly where you want it. Press gently and hold for a few seconds.

Less glue is more. You want just enough to anchor the piece, not so much that it seeps out from under petals and shows in the finished piece.

Let everything dry completely before framing, at least 30 minutes to an hour.

Step 7: Frame and Seal

Carefully clean both sides of your glass before assembling the frame, because any dust or fingerprints will be visible and nearly impossible to fix once it is assembled. Place your arrangement face up, lower the glass gently on top, and close the frame.

If the frame has a cardboard backing, secure it firmly so nothing shifts during display or transport.

Finished pressed flower frame beautifully displayed on a styled wood surface

Tips for Making Pieces That Actually Sell

Not all pressed flower art sells equally well. Here is what I have found makes a difference.

Color palettes matter more than variety. A frame with 12 different flowers in 12 different colors can look chaotic. Buyers respond to cohesive palettes: all lavender and white, all warm dried tones, all moody dark botanicals on a black background.

Sizing sweet spot for selling: 4×6 and 5×7 frames are impulse buys in the $18 to $28 range. Anything 8×10 or larger can command $35 to $60, but they move more slowly. Having a mix is ideal for markets.

Black backgrounds are trending. Pressed flowers on a deep black background look dramatic and modern, which stands out from the typical light and airy options most sellers offer.

Make multiples, not one-offs. When you press flowers, press a lot at once. Having a dozen similar arrangements to photograph and sell is far more efficient than making each piece from scratch.

Photograph on neutral surfaces. A wood table, a linen cloth, or a white marble background makes your pieces look clean and professional for Etsy listings or social media.

Pricing Your Pressed Flower Art

This is where a lot of crafters undersell themselves, so let me walk you through it clearly.

A basic 5×7 pressed flower frame might cost you around $2 to $4 in materials (frame, paper, glue, and a handful of flowers). Your time to press, arrange, and assemble is roughly 20 to 30 minutes of active work (not counting the passive pressing time).

At a market or on Etsy:

  • 4×6 frames: $18 to $24 is a very reasonable and common price point.
  • 5×7 frames: $22 to $32 depending on complexity.
  • 8×10 frames: $35 to $55 for more elaborate arrangements.
  • Set of 3 matching frames: $55 to $75 for a coordinated gallery wall set. These sell especially well as gifts.

The key to hitting $20+ per frame is not just in the making, it is in the presentation and framing. A piece in a clean, well-chosen frame with a polished background looks like a gift, not a craft project. That is what people pay for.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

  • Flowers turning brown: This usually means they were not fully dry before framing, or the frame is in direct sunlight. Make sure flowers are completely crisp before assembling, and recommend buyers display out of direct sun.
  • Petals falling off or shifting: Use a touch more adhesive, or switch to a botanicals-specific glue. Make sure the glass is sitting firmly against the arrangement so nothing has room to move.
  • Mold during pressing: This happens when flowers are pressed before they have had a chance to start releasing moisture, or when humidity is high. Change parchment paper after the first 2 to 3 days and keep your press in a dry room.
  • Colors fading quickly: Use UV-protective glass or acrylic in your frames. Some flower colors (especially deep purples and bright pinks) are more prone to fading than others. Mentioning this to buyers upfront builds trust.

Display and Gift Ideas to Share With Buyers

Part of what makes pressed flower art sell well is helping buyers imagine how they will use it. Mention these ideas in your product listings and packaging:

Pressed flower frames make beautiful gifts for Mother’s Day, bridal showers, and housewarmings. A set of three matching frames is a popular wedding gift. Individual pieces work wonderfully in a nursery, a reading nook, or a bathroom gallery wall.

You can also offer custom orders where buyers send in flowers from a meaningful occasion (a wedding bouquet, a grandmother’s garden) and you press and frame them. Custom pieces often sell for $40 to $80 or more because of the sentimental value.

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