BestNest Nature Press, 12" x 18" – Large Wooden Flower & Leaf Press with Instructions, Cardboard & Desiccation Paper, Kid-Friendly Craft Tool for Art, Botany Projects & Professional Use

I got this plant press to use for a botany component in a Master Herbalist program. I was going to make my own press, but this one fit the size specifications so I saved myself the trouble and bought it. I feel the price was extremely reasonable, especially compared with other professional plant presses I saw. This one does not have a ventilation design like some of the other professional presses, but they go for over $100, and this press is the way they've been made for hundreds of years so that's good enough for me! The press is heavy and that's a good thing! It comes with layers of blotting paper and corrugated cardboard. The press I was instructed to make was held together with straps; this one uses wing nuts and bolts at the four corners, and I like this better, though it takes a little longer to fasten. The plants don't shift around as much and you can easily adjust the tightness. If you want to add too many more layers of pressings, you might need to get longer bolts, but that's a quick stop at the hardware store. The one thing I noticed right off the bat is that while the wood is sanded smooth, it is not finished in any way. You can expect this very light-colored wood to get stained and scratched quite readily. You can let that bother you, or you can look at the stains as mementos of your loving forays into the plant world to gather and press specimins! Comes with instructions. One thing the instructions don't mention, which is obvious but still I'll mention is: one of the boards has little rubber feet which are meant to be placed down on the table. They are placed INSIDE the press for packing purposes; turn that board around before use! Great plant press and a very fair price.

This press is heavy, sturdy, and works very well. The paper inserts seem to be good quality. I subtracted a star because the clamping mechanism is very awkward to use. While the screws ensure that the press stays tight, you have to (1) line up the notched corners of every sheet perfectly, then (2a) insert the screws from underneath and tighten the wing nut from the top, or (2a) insert the screws from the top and lift up each corner to put the wing nut on and then tighten it, and (3) possibly use pliers to keep the screw head steady so both the screw and wing nut don't spin at the same time (or hold the wing nut and then use a screwdriver to tighten the screw -- either way, it takes two hands). Also, the bottom of the long screws stick up so you have to be really careful that they don't scratch anything. That being said, I think I'd have trouble tightening the presses that use straps so I'd probably purchase this one again anyway.

I was looking for a large, sturdy flower press, and this fit the bill. I ended up woodburning a design into the top as a gift, and this worked extremely well. This is thick, heavy, and very sturdy! Great product, and a good pricepoint for what you get!

I thought I reviewed this a few days ago but I don't see my review, so I'm writing another one ... so if anyone out there sees two of my reviews that is why. I rarely make the effort to review something because I buy so many things I rarely have time to be reviewing everything, but things that score very highly or lowly with me are worth a mention, so I review this item (again). I was very pleased with the quality. It's infinitely better than all the standard flower presses I've ever had before. I've another one - the sort of thing you'd buy at a hobby store. Had it 6 years. The top is cracked in half through - I don't know what, to be honest. I don't exactly use the thing. It's hard to imagine this one ever cracking. The materials are of the highest quality I can imagine and the product is very sturdy. I love the large size too. I haven't found one this big anywhere before and it's nice to have the large size for larger stems such as larkspur. I highly recommend this item!

This is hands down the best flower press I’ve ever seen. Large format. Heavy. Well made. Will last for generations.

A bit disappointed that the wing nuts and bolts were missing as it said it was included, but it wasn't too hard for us to go to a hardware store and buy some. You would just think for the price you pay, everything arrives. The wood is sturdy material and the layered sheets are neatly provided.

I appreciate the large size of this press for taller plants. I also like that it will screw down rather than using a strap. It is a bit more time to screw it all down but overall happy with this press.

The actual wood and pages are high quality, but it is cheaply wrapped, so the hardware must get lost in shipping. Ordered this TWICE, and received products without hardware both times.