A few people have asked me in the past how I press my plant specimens I use in my jewelry (I’m really flattered, by the way). So I’ve decided to put together a little tutorial on my preferred style of plant press. It’s so easy, a child could do it.
You will need:
- 4 long bolts (I am using 1/4″ by 6″ bolts for my press)
- 4 washers
- 4 nuts (or wingnuts if preferred)
- A wrench (if not using wingnuts)
- 2 pieces of wood or plywood, cut to identical size
- A drill with proper drill bit
- Several sheets of cardboard
- Watercolor paper, blotting paper, paper towels, or other absorbent material
- C-clamps (optional)
Begin by positioning your wood pieces together, edge to edge, clamping them together if you wish. Using a drill bit with the same diameter as that of your bolts (or a fraction bigger), drill a hole through each of the four corners of your two boards. You want to make holes that perfectly line up, so be careful to drill as straight as possible.
Push your bolts up through each of your holes, through both boards. Slip your washers onto the bolts, and screw the nut onto each bolt. Your press is now effectively done, albeit empty.
To press your plants:
Start by cutting pieces of cardboard down to a size small enough to fit between the bolts of your press. Avoid using cardboard with bumps or folds, as this can affect the finished product of your press.
Layer your press by placing two pieces of cardboard, followed by your absorbent paper, followed by your plant specimen, followed by your absorbent paper, then another two pieces of cardboard. Continue to follow this pattern up through your press.
When you are finished, place the top board back onto the bolts, press it down as far as it will go, and tighten the nuts to fasten it in place.
That’s it! You’re ready to make your own home herbarium. I recommend checking your pressing specimens about three days after initially committing them to the press, and, if necessary, changing the absorbent paper. Remember: the faster your specimens dry, the better the color retention.
