If you’re just getting started with pressed-flower crafts, sealing them with glue is the easiest, cheapest, and most forgiving method. It doesn’t require fancy tools, special sprays, or resin kits—just clear-drying glue, a soft brush, and a little patience. And honestly? Glue is the method I reach for when I want that delicate, matte, botanical look without the shine that resin gives.
Let me walk you through the beginner-friendly way to seal your pressed flowers so they stay beautiful, vibrant, and protected for years.
Choose the Right Glue (This Matters!)
The biggest mistake beginners make is grabbing any random glue from the drawer. For pressed flowers, you want something that dries totally clear and doesn’t warp the paper.
My three favorite options:
- Mod Podge (Matte) — soft finish, beginner-proof.
- PVA clear-drying craft glue — cheap and reliable.
- Elmer’s Clear Glue — good for kids and quick crafts.
Avoid school glue (white) unless it says “clear drying,” and avoid hot glue completely—it burns and ruins the petals.
Prep Your Surface Like a Pro
Whatever you’re sealing (bookmark, card, journal cover, frame background), make sure it’s:
- clean
- dry
- flat
- dust-free
Pressed flowers are delicate, so any dirt or fibers under them will show forever.
Place your flower exactly where you want it. Once you brush glue over a petal, it’s not moving again.
Brush, Don’t Pour
Think of sealing pressed flowers like painting your nails—you want thin layers, not globs.
- Dip a soft, flat brush into the glue.
- Brush a thin coat over the flower, moving from the center outward.
- Don’t press too hard—let the brush glide.
- The petals may darken while wet. That’s normal! They go back to normal when dry.
The goal is to “hug” the flower with glue, not drown it.
Want more pressed flower ideas?
This tutorial goes hand in hand with my main guide: Pressed Flower Crafts – Easy Projects You Can Make at Home.
Click here to explore more beautiful, beginner-friendly pressed flower projects.
Let It Dry (No Rushing)
Drying time depends on humidity, but usually:
- 20–30 minutes to touch
- 12–24 hours to fully cure
If you want extra protection, add a second thin layer once the first is completely dry.
Why I Love the Glue Method
It gives a soft, natural finish—perfect for bookmarks, cards, scrapbook art, Bible journaling, wall quotes, and framed pieces where you want the flowers to look like they “belong” on the page.
It’s affordable, gentle, and ideal for anyone who feels overwhelmed by resin.
Before You Go…
If you want the full guide with every sealing method (resin, spray, glue, lamination), check this out:
How to Seal Pressed Flowers — The Easy Way (Complete Beginner Guide).
