If you’re looking for a creative way to take your resin art projects up a notch, learning how to dry flowers for the resin is an excellent place to start! With the right techniques and materials, you can create stunning pieces that look like they’ve just been plucked out of nature. And the great news is that it’s surprisingly easier than you think.
You can dry flowers for resin in one of the ways – microwave, hanging them, oven, food dehydrator, and pressing them. The process and time can vary for each of them, and so do the outcomes, although they can be used for resin arts.
In this post, we’ll be taking a closer look at four simple ways how to perfectly dry flowers for resin craft projects – so get ready to add some extra flair to your next masterpiece!
5 Ways To Dry Flowers For Resin
1: Air drying method
To air-dry flowers for resin, it is best to use flowers that are already in their dried state.
- Select the brightest and most colorful blooms for your project.
- Place them on a sheet of newspaper or an absorbent paper towel. It is important that the paper should be able to absorb moisture as this will help speed up the drying process.
- Choose a sunny spot with good air circulation and away from direct sunlight to place the flowers on the sheet, so they do not become too brittle or broken due to excessive exposure to heat.
- Let them sit in this spot for 3 – 7 days until they feel totally dry and crisp.
Note:
If you live in a humid climate, it may take longer for your flowers to completely dry out, up to two weeks or more.
It’s a good idea to remove all stems and leaves before using them for resin projects, as these will produce discoloration when exposed to resin.
You can also use hangers to hang flowers and spray an unscented perfume. This can act as a protective layer and avoid potential damage in the future.
2: Microwave method
For drying flowers quickly, try using a microwave! All you need is some parchment paper, flower petals, and a few minutes time.
- Start by placing a microwave-safe pan or a container on the bottom of the microwave.
- Add up to 2 inches of silica gel and then spread flowers above it.
- Heat it on low power intervals until dry to the touch — typically around 30-60 seconds per cycle. Adjust time and heat according to the type, quantity of flowers, and requirements.
- After taking the container out, it’s essential to remove the gel.
Don’t rush in this process.
Note:
Be sure to check the petals frequently to ensure they don’t scorch in the drying process! Once dried, use the petals in your projects with confidence, knowing that they should stay intact for years when used with resin.
3: Flower press method
Before you begin the process, you should make the following decision:
You can leave the stem and leaves on or cut them off if you’re looking to create dry-pressed flowers. If you choose to cut the stems and leaves off, you can opt for a variety of different looks, depending on what your desired outcome is.
Follow the steps below:
- In order to successfully preserve your flowers in this way, it is important to find a thick book or stack of books that will help press and preserve the flowers.
A great option for finding such books is in antique stores or used bookstores. You can also use any book from around your home as long as you stack it under several other books.
- Once you have located a suitable book or stack of books, open it up to the middle and place a piece of parchment paper down in the book.
Tip: Go with branded natural-release parchment paper, as it helps prevent sticking issues when pressing the flowers.
- Once the parchment paper is set up, arrange your flower petals on top of it carefully.
- Place another piece of paper over the top and close the book – leaving it untouched for 7-10 days in order to let them dry completely.
- Once that time has elapsed, you can remove each flower petal gently using tweezers and set it aside until ready for use.
As with any pressing process, make sure not to disturb them too much, as delicate petals could be distorted easily during removal from the pages of your chosen book!
4: Dehydrator
Drying flowers for resin can be a fun and creative project. The best way to achieve this is by using a food dehydrator since it keeps the flowers flat and more manageable.
- First, place the flowers into the food tray in a single layer.
- It’s important to make sure that none of them are overlapping, as drying can take several hours, depending on their size.
- Once you’ve placed them near a heat source, adjust the temperature levels to around 120 degrees Fahrenheit and let them dry for 12-24 hours until they are completely crispy!
When the drying process is complete, your now-stable flowers will be ready for resin crafting — from jewelry making to artwork with dried flower molds!
5: Oven
If you’re looking for a reliable way to preserve dried flowers for use in resin jewelry or other craft projects, drying them in an oven is one of the simplest and most cost-effective options.
The drying process not only preserves the natural beauty and intricate detail of the flowers, it also helps to ensure that any colors don’t fade when exposed to long-term heat or light exposure.
Cut stems if you don’t need them.
- Start by preheating your oven to its lowest setting, no higher than 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Spread out your flower petals on baking sheets and place them carefully into the oven, drying them in batches if necessary.
- Check occasionally to make sure they are drying evenly, and remove them when finished.
- After 2 hours, open the oven to check if the flowers have dried entirely.
Once cooled, arrange your dried blooms however you wish – get creative! It’s time to enjoy your beautiful resin creations!
FAQ
Do you have to dry flowers before putting them in resin?
Encasing flowers in resin will certainly require flowers in prepped and dried states to achieve the desired results. This also preserves the state for decades to come. Moisture in flowers can potentially harm the outcome.
A great way to ensure that your flowers are fully dry is to hang them upside down in a cool and dark place for four days. This allows any moisture inside the petals to dissipate before starting the project.
With proper drying as part of the preparation, creating a beautiful keepsake with resin and your cherished blooms is easy and rewarding!
Is it OK to put fresh flowers in resin?
Adding fresh flowers to the resin can discolor instantly due to the moisture in it. Hence, it’s good to add dried flowers for projects.
Do dried flowers in resin last forever?
Completely dried flowers in resin definitely last forever and maintain their beauty as the moisture is eliminated at the first step.
READ MORE: Why Is My Resin Art Bendy
