How To Use A Flower Press Undo the nuts on your press. Take off the cover, to unveil the paper and cardboard layers inside the press. On the paper layer, layout your chosen flowers. Cover your flowers with a paper layer, then a cardboard layer and finally put the cover back on. Hold down on your press and tighten the nuts as far as they can go. Leave your flowers for a week before checking in on them. After a week, you can replace the paper layer with a new one to absorb the last of the liquid. Leave your flowers for another three weeks to allow them to completely dry. Carefully remove the flowers from the press and use them in your next crafting session!