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Pressed Flower Information
Flower Examples
Foliage Examples
Grass Examples
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Natural Materials
Glue and Seal Pressed Flowers
About Matting
Framing Pressed Flower Pictures
Saving Funeral Flowers
Shipping Fresh Flowers
Book Reviews

Flower Preparation
Conditioning Fresh Flowers
Pressing Simple Flowers
Press Full Open Roses
Fruit and Vegetable Preparation
Dying Flowers and Foliage
Preserve Foliage with Glycerin

Projects
Pressed Flower Magnets
Pressed Flower Book Box
Pressed Flower Luminaries
Marbleizing Papers
Making Sticker Glue
Examples of Pressed Flower Work
Antiqued Preserved Flowers

Using Flower Dye to Compensate for Fading

I recommend color treating ferns and foliage that are prone to fading. Use a weakened solution of floral absorption dye before pressing. This is especially helpful if you make sun catchers or use flowers that fade quickly.

Before pressing,  properly condition your ferns, foliage, and flowers  as usual, but add the dye to the warm water solution.  Because you'll be pressing the botanical materials, it's best to mix the dye solution weaker than recommended for a more natural look.

Put the freshly cut stems in the water with the dye and let them sit a few hours before pressing. They come out great and no more worries about fading.

Even Roses Maintain a Natural Look When Dyed Properly

Some flowers, such as Roses, require a little more preparation.

These roses were all the same white color before dying. The pink and purple roses were treated for about a day. I love the results!

Process:

1. Strip leaves from the portion of the stem to be submersed.
2. Prepare dye solution of:
      - Very warm water
      - Cut flower preservative (Chrysal or Floralife)
      - Koch systemic floral dye.
3. Pour 2" of Floralife's Quick Dip Instant Hydration Pretreatment into a plastic cup.
4. Cut off several inches of stem under water, then dip stems ends in hydration solution.
5. Immediately place in the warm dye/preservative solution.

Remember that as flowers are pressed the color will darken so be sure to take them out of the dye when they're a bit lighter than you'd like.

The dye is absorbed by the stem and leaves too, which can produce some interesting effects.  If you don't want those "interesting effects" reserve some leaves to be pressed separately.

There are other absorption dyes on the market, but my experience is that the Koch dyes produce the most desirable result, and they offer a great selection of over a hundred colors including black. The Koch website gives very detailed information about its products and uses. Delivery is very quickly; I highly recommend them.