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How To Make Tissue Paper Flowers

15/08/2025

Bella Cohen

After 18 years in the flower game, running Lily's Florist from our dinner table (literally, that's where we make most of our business decisions), I've seen just about every flower trend come and go. But paper flowers? They keep coming back, and for good reason. Whether you're a florist looking to expand your services or someone who just loves the idea of flowers that last forever, this guide breaks down everything you need to know, minus the fluff.

My name is Siobhan and I own Lily's Florist and I am really looking forward to this challenge. Actually, I have been thinking about doing this post for over a year, so today is the day!

Why Paper Flowers Matter More Than You Think

Here's something most people don't realize: paper flowers solve real problems in the flower business. Back when we had our physical shop in Kingscliff, we'd get requests for December peonies or specific shades of blue that simply didn't exist in nature. Fresh flowers are beautiful, but they're also limiting. You're stuck with what's in season, what survives transport, and what your supplier has that week.

Paper flowers change that entire equation. You can make a peony in the dead of winter. You can match that exact shade of dusty blue from a bride's mood board. And unlike fresh arrangements that you're scrambling to finish at 5am on the wedding day, paper flowers can be made weeks ahead. That's not just convenient, it's a complete game changer for how you run your business.

The Money Side Nobody Talks About

Let me be straight with you. The initial investment in quality paper and tools isn't nothing. But compared to the waste we used to have with fresh flowers? It's a different world. No more throwing out wilted stock. No more panic ordering because the shipment came in damaged. And for large installations like wedding backdrops, the cost difference is massive. We're talking thousands of dollars saved on a single event.

Getting Your Materials Right (This Is Where Most People Mess Up)

Paper Weight and Stretch

The biggest mistake I see is people grabbing standard tissue paper from the gift wrap aisle and wondering why their flowers look terrible. Here's the truth: not all paper is created equal. You need to understand two things: weight (measured in GSM) and stretch.

Standard tissue paper sits around 10-35 GSM with barely any stretch. It tears if you look at it wrong and won't hold its shape. For realistic flowers, you need crepe paper, particularly the heavier Italian stuff that runs 140-180 GSM with up to 260% stretch. That stretch is what lets you create those natural curves and cups that make a paper rose actually look like a rose.

Paper Comparison: Why Quality Matters

Standard Tissue Paper

Gift wrap aisle paper

Weight:

10-35 GSM

Stretch:

Minimal

❌ Poor for realistic flowers

Italian Crepe Paper

Professional grade paper

Weight:

140-180 GSM

Stretch:

Up to 260%

✓ Excellent for realistic flowers

Think of it this way, trying to make realistic flowers with standard tissue is like trying to arrange flowers with pool noodles instead of proper stems. Sure, you could do it, but why would you I have to ask?

The Essential Tool Kit

After years of doing this, here's what actually matters:

Cutting tools: Get yourself a proper pair of paper scissors. Kai brand if you can swing it. For bulk cutting, a rotary cutter with a self-healing mat saves hours.

Adhesives: Tacky glue for precision work, hot glue gun for speed and structural stuff. Don't cheap out on the glue gun. A good high-temp one makes all the difference.

Square infographic showing cutting tools, adhesives, shaping tools and floral wire gauges for paper flower making

Shaping tools: Paper curling tools, steel ball tools for cupping petals, and the same needle-nose pliers and wire cutters you'd use for regular floral work.

Wire: This follows the same gauge system as regular floral wire. 16-18 gauge for main stems, 20-24 for leaves and branches, 26-30 for individual petal wiring. Get paper-wrapped wire when you can, it grips the glue better.

The Two Methods That Actually Work

The Accordion Method (For Volume and Speed)

This is your go-to for peonies, carnations, and anything that needs loads of petals. Stack your sheets, fold accordion style, secure the middle, cut your petal shapes, then fluff. The key is patience with the fluffing. Pull each layer individually, from the centre out. Rush this and you'll tear everything.

I learned this the hard way making decorations for our daughter Asha's school fundraiser (my daughter, at least one of them anyway). Thought I could bang out 50 carnations in an hour. Four hours and many torn attempts later, I had 20 decent ones and a new respect for the process.

The Individual Petal Method (For Realism)

This is where paper flowers go from craft project to art. You're cutting each petal separately, shaping them individually, then building the flower from the inside out. It's exactly like watching a real rose bloom, just in reverse and under your control.

Start with your smallest petals for the centre bud, wrapped tight around your wire stem. Add progressively larger petals, overlapping slightly, getting looser as you go out. The magic happens in the petal shaping before assembly. Use a toothpick or thin rod to curl the edges. For crepe paper, stretch the centres gently to create that natural cup shape.

Arranging Paper Flowers (Same Rules, Different Game)

The principles don't change just because your flowers are paper. You still need:

Proportion: Flowers should be about 1.5 times the height of your container for tall arrangements.

Balance: Whether you go symmetrical for formal or asymmetrical for natural, the visual weight needs to work.

Rhythm and line: Create a path for the eye to follow. Use your paper "line flowers" to establish shape and movement.

Square infographic showing proportion, balance, and rhythm principles for paper flower arranging with vase illustrations

The process stays the same too. Start with your greenery and filler to establish the shape. Place your focal flowers deliberately. Create depth by working on different planes, some flowers tucked deep, others extending out. Step back frequently to assess. Use a mirror for a different perspective.

The Bottom Line

Paper flowers aren't about replacing fresh flowers. They're about expanding what's possible. They're about saying yes to that bride who wants peonies in December. They're about creating installations that last beyond the event. They're about having a skill that sets you apart.

After 18 years of running Lily's Florist, growing from that tiny shop in Kingscliff to a network of over 800 partner florists across Australia, I've learned that success comes from solving problems for people. Paper flowers solve problems. They last forever, they're completely customisable, and once you know what you're doing, they're genuinely beautiful.

Start with good materials. Master the basic techniques. Then push into the advanced stuff that makes them special. It's an investment of time and money upfront, but like most things in the flower business, the payoff comes from doing it right.

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