A DIY Pressed Flower Wood & Resin Tray

Beyond its visual appeal, this DIY project offers a delightful opportunity to explore creativity. You can curate the floral arrangement, choosing colours, textures, and placements to reflect your style. Whether you favour a minimalist approach with a single, delicate bloom or a wildflower explosion of colour, the possibilities are endless.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of creating your pressed flower wood & resin tray. From gathering materials and preparing the wood to arranging the flowers and pouring the resin, we'll equip you with the knowledge and confidence to bring this project to life. To learn more about such techniques, enrol in a resin art workshop.

Steps to Prepare a Pressed Flower Wood & Resin Tray

Follow these steps to make a stunning pressed flower wood and resin tray.

Gathering Your Supplies

• Wood Tray: The star of the show! Choose a wooden tray in a size and shape that suits your taste. Opt for a simple rectangular tray for a classic look, or explore more unique shapes like round or oval. Ensure the wood is untreated and sanded smooth for optimal adhesion with the resin.
• Pressed Flowers: This is where your creativity shines! Use a variety of pressed flowers in different colours, shapes, and sizes. Experiment with textures and consider incorporating leaves, ferns, or small twigs for added depth.
• UV Resin Kit: Choose a UV resin kit for faster curing time and easier application, especially for beginners. Make sure the kit includes both resin and hardener and that the recommended curing lamp is compatible.
• Safety Gear: When working with resin, prioritise safety. Wear gloves, respirators, and eye protection to avoid contact and inhalation.
• Sandpaper (Optional): Use fine-grit sandpaper to achieve a smooth finish if your wood tray feels rough.
• Rubbing Alcohol or Mineral Spirits (Optional): This can clean and prep the wood surface before working with resin.
• Mixing Containers: Disposable plastic cups or small beakers work well for mixing resin.
• Stir Sticks: Ensure these are long enough to reach the bottom of your mixing containers.
• Disposable Droppers: These help add small amounts of resin or alcohol ink for detailed work.
• Tweezers: Tweezers will be your best friend when arranging the delicate pressed flowers.
• Toothpicks or Craft Sticks: These will help you gently nudge the flowers into place and remove any air bubbles that may appear in the resin.
• Heat Gun (Optional): A heat gun can be used to remove unwanted air bubbles from the resin's surface.

Additional Embellishments (Optional):

• Alcohol Inks: Add a touch of colour to your resin with vibrant alcohol inks.
• Gold or Silver Flakes: For a hint of luxury, sprinkle some metallic flakes onto the uncured resin.
• Glitter: Add a tinge of sparkle with a sprinkle of fine glitter.

Preparing the Wood Tray

1. Sanding (Optional): If your wood tray feels rough, use fine-grit sandpaper to accomplish a smooth and even surface. Brush away any dust with a clean cloth.
2. Cleaning: For optimal adhesion, clean the wood surface with rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits. Let the wood dry thoroughly before moving.

The Art of Arrangement

1. Plan Your Design: Before diving in with the resin, take some time to plan your flower arrangement on the wood tray. Experiment with different layouts to achieve the composition you desire. Consider colour balance, variety in flower sizes, and negative space.
2. Secure the Flowers (Optional): For added security, especially for larger or heavier flowers, use a small amount of clear drying glue to adhere them to the wood tray. Let the glue dry completely before proceeding.

Mixing and Pouring the Resin

1. Read the Instructions Carefully: Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for mixing and using your specific UV resin kit. Resin curing times and safety precautions can vary between brands.
2. Prepare Your Workspace: Choose a clean, well-ventilated area covered with newspaper or a disposable tablecloth to protect your work surface.
3. Mix the Resin: Wear gloves and a respirator while working with resin. In a well-ventilated space, combine the resin and hardener in the designated ratio according to the manufacturer's instructions. Stir slowly and thoroughly, scraping the sides and bottom of the container to ensure accurate mixing.
4. First Layer (Optional): For a more finished look, consider pouring a thin layer of clear resin onto the wood tray and curing it entirely with the UV lamp. This creates a sealed base before adding the flowers.

Creating Your Floral Masterpiece

1. Time for Flowers! Using tweezers, carefully arrange your pressed flowers onto the wood tray or the cured resin base (if using a first layer). Play with the composition, layering flowers and leaving space for others to peek through.

1. Resin in Action: Once you're happy with the flower arrangement, slowly pour a thin layer of mixed resin over the flowers. Use a toothpick to gently nudge the flowers into place and ensure the resin flows evenly around them.
2. Taming the Bubbles: Air bubbles can sometimes appear in the resin. To remove them, gently blow on the surface or use a heat gun (following safety instructions) held at a distance. The heat will force the air bubbles to rise, which can be popped with a toothpick.
3. Adding Color (Optional): For vibrancy, consider adding drops of alcohol ink to the uncured resin. Use a toothpick or disposable dropper to swirl the ink gently, creating a marbled effect or coloured accents.
4. Glitter and Shine (Optional): If you crave a touch of sparkle, sprinkle a small amount of fine glitter onto the uncured resin before pouring the next layer.

Building the Resin Layers

1. Curing and Repeating: Once you've poured your first layer and addressed any air bubbles, cure the resin completely using the UV lamp according to the manufacturer's instructions. This will typically take a few minutes. Once cured, repeat steps 2-5, pouring additional layers of resin to encase the flowers completely. The number of layers you need will depend on your tray's depth and the resin's desired thickness. Aim for a final layer that creates a slightly domed finish to ensure the flowers are fully encased.

Pro Tip: For thicker resin layers, consult the manufacturer's recommendations. Some UV resins may require pouring in thin layers with curing in between to prevent overheating and cracking.

The Finishing Touches

1. Patience is Key: Allow the final resin layer to cure entirely before demolding (if using a mould) or touching the tray. Refer to the curing times specified in the resin kit instructions.
2. Sanding and Polishing (Optional): Once the resin is fully cured, you may notice slight imperfections on the edges or surface. Use fine-grit sandpaper to sand these areas until smooth gently. You can then buff the surface with a polishing cloth for an extra shine.