Picture This app (for identifying and storing specimen names easily accessible)

Your camera phone

XL Flower Press (this is the #1 press I use. I have 10 of these among the 20+ presses I own/use). I also have several I ordered for much more money from Etsy but they are much more expensive and these Amazon ones work just as well and are 1/3 the cost. * these also come with my preferred tweezers.

Absorbant paper (blotting paper, watercolor paper) - I prefer this blotting paper above all else but do also use watercolor paper if I run out of this blotting paper. Remember this is re-usable if you let dry in between uses. NOTE: always throw away any sheets with mold on them though.

Card (thicker card or cardboard that is not corrugated too much) - presses will come with this but you’ll want a bit more if you want to put more layers in than they give you card for.

Chipboard 11x17 for XL press NOTE: I still trim about an inch off of the width on these so they fit in my presses. NOTE: CARD vs. CHIPBOARD: I use both. This is a bit advanced distinction but I use thicker card always for in between “juicier” specimens (those with a higher water content such as most bulbs). I use chipboard for less “juicy” specimens when I want to fit more in the press because chipboard is much thinner but it still works as a decent barrier in between blotting paper layers (which is the point of the chip/card layer).

Floral scissors - These are my fave. I only use these unless I have a super thick stem which requires my pruners.

Floral tweezers - I like these but my favorite are the ones that come with this press.

Masking tape - I buy three packs as I go through so much of it.

Sharpies - I buy them in greater quantity but here is a four pack. You will go through a lot of these too if you take up this hobby.

Regular scissors - you’ll need regular scissors often too. I never use my floral scissors for anything other than flowers.

A clean dry absorbant towel - for drying flowers thoroughly before putting into the press.

Small pins - These are essential in my artwork making process. This is more than I need but this is in fact the exact pins I use. You’ll want the kind with the little ball on the end.

Variety of small brushes - different specimens and sizes call for different types and sizes of brushes. It’s important to experiment. You’ll find you have preferences but also that you need a variety.

Scrap paper

Matte mod podge - must be matte! You don’t want your glue to show through.

11x17 white mat board (acid free) for archiving pressed specimens. It’s important that it’s a firm mat like this vs. a flimsy paper.

11x17 clear plastic acid free sleeves for archiving - ultimately you’ll want clear sleeves and mat for your final artworks too but the size and color options are endless so I’ll leave sourcing that up to you!

Table cloth or roll of kraft paper - I use my dining table and never work directly on the surface of that table. In fact I use BOTH a table cloth and then on top of that I roll out kraft paper which I change out frequently so that every new project starts on a clean surface.