Freeze Dry vs. Pressed

Q: What is the difference between freeze dried flowers and pressed flowers?

A: Freeze dried flowers are processed to remove the moisture while maintaining the shape and color of the flower. When they're finished they look like fresh flowers. Pressed flowers are, as they name implies, pressed. In most cases the petals are removed and pressed individually. This is because the moisture content in a whole, intact, flower would cause mildew to form before the flowers were completely dry. This would ruin the flower.

Both processes produce beautiful results. They are just different. Pressed floral pieces are framed in a flat frame...like a regular picture frame. Freeze dried flowers require more space, so when framed, they need to go in a shadow box frame or an oval with a dome.