Whether you are saving a special bouquet or want to create your own preserved flower art, proper framing is the key to retaining the beauty of dried flowers. Understanding how to prepare your flowers and what to expect from the framer ensures the flowers are preserved to last a lifetime.

Dry the Flowers Completely

Any moisture left in the flowers will result in mold and rotting once they are framed. Most flowers require pressing or hang drying for three weeks to ensure all the moisture has evaporated. Press the flowers to dry them if you want a flat frame. If you prefer 3-dimensional framing in a shadow box, hang dry the flowers or bury them in a box filled with silica gel crystals to dry them. You can verify that the flowers are ready to frame by pressing lightly on the thick portion behind the flower stem. If it feels dry, the flower is ready to frame.

Some custom framers specialize in dried flower preservation and they may even take care of the drying process for a small fee.

Inquire About Materials

Before trusting your flowers with a framer, verify that they are using acid-free materials in all their frames. This prevents yellowing and discoloration.

It's best if framers skip the glue when mounting flowers, because adhesives can cause petals to become discolored or to darken. Most custom framers will recommend pressure framing for pressed flowers. In this case, they will arrange the flowers on the backing mat to your specifications, and then sandwich the flowers between the backing and the glass to hold them in place.

Shadow boxes may require some adhesive, unless they are pinned in place. Verify that the framer has a glue that is made for use on dried flowers so discoloration won't be an issue.

Hang It Properly

Once successfully framed, keeping the flowers beautiful is up to you. Although the flowers are sealed inside a frame, it's still best to manage moisture. Avoid displaying dried flowers in humid areas, such as in a bathroom or above the kitchen sink. Direct sunlight can also cause flowers to fade, so keep them in an area where bright light doesn't shine directly on the frame.

Although it is possible to frame the flowers yourself, a professional custom framer, like Instaframe Galleries, that is experienced with dried flowers provides the necessary expertise and tools to make sure the framing is done correctly.

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