How to Preserve Flowers in Resin | A Professional Guide

Preserving flowers in resin is a beautiful way to capture the ephemeral beauty of your blooms, transforming them into a lasting keepsake or unique piece of art. Whether commemorating a special occasion or simply cherishing nature's beauty, embedding flowers in resin allows you to create personalized items that can be treasured for years. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the process of preserving flowers in resin, using Promise Deep Pour Epoxy for optimal clarity and results. 

Why Preserve Flowers in Resin?

Flowers often symbolize significant moments in our lives - weddings, anniversaries, graduations, or heartfelt gifts. Unfortunately, their natural beauty is fleeting. And dead flowers might be one of the saddest things ever. By preserving flowers in resin, you can encapsulate these memories, creating tangible mementos that withstand the test of time. Resin art also offers versatility, allowing you to craft items like jewelry, coasters, paperweights, or decorative displays. 

Materials Needed

Before embarking on your resin preservation project, gather the following materials: 

• Promise Deep Pour Epoxy
• Dried Flowers
• Silicone Molds - these are some of our favorites
• Mixing Containers
• Stirring Sticks
• Gloves
• Safety Glasses
• Respirator (rated for vapors)

Step-by-Step Guide to Preserve Flowers in Resin

1. Drying the Flowers

Properly dried flowers are crucial for successful resin preservation. Residual moisture can cause discoloration or decay within the resin. This is why it's incredibly important to dry your flowers before encapsulating them in epoxy.  Here are some effective methods to dry your flowers:

• Air Drying: Hang flowers upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. This method can take several weeks but maintains the flowers' natural shape. 
• Pressing: Place flowers between parchment paper and press them within the pages of a heavy book. Leave them for 3-4 weeks. This method is suitable for flat applications like jewelry or coasters. 
• Silica Gel Drying: Bury the flowers in silica gel within an airtight container. This method preserves the three-dimensional shape and vibrant color of the flowers and typically takes 2-7 days. 
• Microwave Drying: Use a microwave-safe flower press to dry flowers quickly, usually within minutes. This method requires careful monitoring to prevent overheating. 

2. Preparing the Workspace to Preserve Flowers in Resin

Safety First: Work in a well-ventilated area. Wear protective gloves, safety goggles, and a respirator rated for vapors to protect against fumes. While extremely fun to work with, epoxy resin is still a toxic chemical and precautions need to be taken when working with it. 

Protect Surfaces: Cover your workspace with disposable plastic or parchment paper to catch any spills. 

3. Preparing the Silicone Mold

Clean the Mold: Ensure the silicone mold is clean and free from dust or debris. You can use isopropyl alcohol and paper towel, or compressed air if you have it available. 

4. Mixing the Resin

Measure Accurately: Promise Deep Pour Epoxy Resin requires a 2:1 mixing ratio by volume (2 parts resin to 1 part hardener). Use measuring cups to ensure accuracy. We recommend pouring the hardener side first for a better mixing experience. 

Mix Thoroughly: In a mixing container, combine the resin and hardener. Stir slowly and steadily for approximately 3-5 minutes, scraping the sides and bottom of the container to ensure a uniform mixture. Mix until there are no striations visible. Proper mixing is essential to achieve a clear, bubble-free finish. 

5. Pouring the First Layer

Thin Base Layer: Pour a thin layer of mixed resin into the bottom of the silicone mold. This base layer will serve as the foundation for your flowers and "glue" them to the bottom so they don't rise to top during your casting pour. 

Remove Bubbles: Use a heat gun or a small butane torch to gently pass over the resin's surface, eliminating any air bubbles. Be cautious to avoid overheating, which can damage the mold or resin. 

Let this layer cure for a few hours before proceeding. 

6. Placing the Dried Flowers to Preserve in Resin

Arrange Carefully: Using tweezers or gloved hands, gently place the dried flowers onto the partially cured resin layer. Arrange them as desired, keeping in mind the final orientation of the piece. 

Anchor: If needed, pour a small amount of resin over the flowers, further securing them into the mold. 

7. Adding Additional Layers

Final Pour: Slowly pour more resin over the flowers, filling the mold to your desired depth. When using Promise Deep Pour Epoxy pour up to 2" at a time. Pour slowly to avoid trapping air when trying to preserve flowers in resin.

Bubble Removal: Continue using a heat gun or torch to eliminate bubbles as you pour. 

Allow the resin to fully cure for 2-3 days before demolding. Keep the piece in a dust-free environment during this time to keep your floral preservation crystal clear and free of blemish. 

8. Demolding and Finishing

Once fully cured, gently remove the piece from the mold. Silicone molds make this an easy step because you can simply peel back the layers and pop your floral preservation out. 

This is an optional step, but for optimal clarity and shine sand and polish the edges of your piece for a smooth finish. 

Tips for Success to Preserve Flowers in Resin

• Avoid over-handling flowers to prevent damage.
• Work in a dust-free environment to achieve a flawless finish.
• Test a small batch of resin if you're new to the product before working with your dried flowers. 

Project Ideas

Here are some creative ways to preserve flowers in resin: 

• Jewelry: Make pendants, earrings, or rings.
• Home Décor: Create coasters, paperweights, bookends, wall art, and more.
• Keepsakes: Preserve flowers from weddings or special events. 

Learning how to preserve flowers in resin is a rewarding craft that transforms fleeting moments into tangible memories. With epoxy resin, you can achieve stunning, crystal-clear results that last for years. Gather your supplies, follow these steps, and let your creativity bloom!