Pressed Flower Resin Bookmark

Preserve real pressed flowers in crystal-clear resin bookmarks — a beautiful gift project that takes 20 minutes of active work.

Step-by-Step Instructions

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   Step 1

   Set up your workspace on a flat, perfectly level surface — the bookmark molds are narrow and any tilt will cause the resin to pool to one end. Wear nitrile gloves throughout. Lay out your pressed flowers on a clean piece of paper next to the molds before you start mixing so you can work quickly once the resin is poured. Decide which flowers you want in each bookmark and in what arrangement — pressed flowers are delicate and easier to place when you have a plan ready.

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   Step 2

   Mix resin at a 1:1 ratio by volume, stirring slowly for three full minutes, scraping the sides and bottom of the cup thoroughly. Allow to rest for two minutes after mixing. The mixed resin should be completely clear with no streaks or cloudiness — any cloudiness indicates undermixing and will produce a cloudy or tacky cured bookmark.

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   Step 3

   Pour a thin base layer into each bookmark mold — approximately 3 mm deep. Tap the mold gently on the surface a few times to encourage any bubbles to rise. Pass the heat gun briefly over the surface — just one or two seconds at a distance of 15 cm — to pop any remaining surface bubbles. Allow this base layer to become slightly tacky but not fully cured — usually about 45–60 minutes depending on room temperature. This partial cure ensures the flowers do not float to the bottom when the top layer is poured.

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   Step 4

   Using tweezers, carefully arrange your dried pressed flowers face-down on the tacky resin base layer. Press each flower gently to ensure it makes full contact with the resin — any flowers not fully adhered to the base may shift during the top pour. Arrange them within the mold boundaries, leaving a small clear margin around the edges.

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   Step 5

   Pour a second layer of resin over the flowers, filling the mold to the top. Work slowly and carefully to avoid disturbing the flower arrangement. Pop any surface bubbles with a brief heat gun pass. Cover the molds with a clean dome to keep dust off and leave to cure for a full 24 hours at room temperature. Do not move or touch the molds during curing.

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   Step 6

   Once fully cured, flex the silicone mold gently to release each bookmark — the resin should pop out cleanly with no sticking. If any edges feel sharp, very lightly sand them with 400-grit sandpaper, then wipe clean with a barely damp cloth. To add a ribbon or tassel hole, use the 1.5 mm pin vise hand drill at one end of the bookmark. Drill slowly with very light pressure, working from one face until you are halfway through, then flip the bookmark and drill from the other face to meet in the middle. This two-direction approach prevents the resin from chipping around the hole entry point.