The traditional method of pressing flowers is to place them in a book or press between layers of absorbent materials. The fluids are gradually leached from the flower over a period of weeks. When using the Microfleur, the fluids are boiled off by the use of microwave energy, and the process takes a matter of seconds or a few minutes, depending on the flower and the power of the microwave oven.

Microfleur can successfully press a wide range of flowers and plant materials, with the advantages of speed and better colour results.

Pressed flowers are used in a wide variety of crafts, including greeting cards, pictures, bookmarks, invitations, decoupage, and for decorations on menus, candles, soaps etc. Microfleur is also used extensively by horticulturists and botanists to prepare specimens for cataloguing and storage.

Not only does Microfleur appeal to established pressed flower artists, but it has opened up a completely new following in the Arts and Crafts industry which is growing rapidly. 

Microfleur is currently manufactured in two sizes, the "Regular" unit is 13cm square(5" x 5"), and the "MAX" is approximately 23cm square (9" x 9"). The outer components are made of a heavy duty microwave-proof plastic, and the inner assembly (fill-pack) is a sandwich of felt pads and cotton facings. 

Microfleur was first marketed in Australia in April 1995, and proved to be an instant success. It is now marketed in the USA, Canada, South Africa and a number of European countries. Patent and Trade Mark applications are pending.

The Microfleur User Guide has been translated into German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Dutch, and can be supplied in these languages.

Now available: "Pressed Flower Project using Microfleur". This thirty page full colour book gives "detailed instructions" on card making, decorating candles and much, much more. Written by Jennie Beecroft who has many years of experience using Microfleur, it has everything you need to know to get you started.