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If you’re a florist or wedding planner, you know that the blooms used in arrangements and bouquets can truly make or break a design. The same is true when preserving flowers—especially when creating shallow resin keepsakes like trays and coasters. At Keepsake Floral, there’s one key design principle we always keep in mind for these pieces: go flat.
Flowers with flatter, more delicate bloom structures tend to perform best in shallow resin designs. These blooms not only fit more naturally within the mold, but they also preserve more successfully over time, resulting in a cleaner, more refined final keepsake.
You can explore examples of these designs in our flower preservation gallery.
Within the Keepsake Floral resin collection, trays and coaster sets are among the most shallow designs we offer. Because of this, depth is limited, making bloom selection especially important.
Bulbous flowers—such as full roses or peonies—often require more space than these molds allow. Even if they fit, their density can restrict proper airflow during the preservation process, which may impact their long-term stability. Flat-shaped blooms, on the other hand, allow for better air circulation around the petals and tend to preserve more reliably.
For larger or more dimensional flowers, deeper resin designs—like blocks or sculptural keepsakes—are a better fit. You can learn more about how different flowers are preserved here: our preservation process.
Beyond preservation, flat flowers offer a distinct design advantage. Their lower profile allows each bloom to sit harmoniously within the resin, rather than competing for space. This creates a more balanced, elegant composition—especially important in smaller keepsakes where every detail is visible.
Because these blooms are typically smaller and more delicate, they also allow for greater creativity. Multiple flowers can be thoughtfully arranged within a single tray or coaster, creating a layered, garden-inspired look without overwhelming the design.
While flat blooms are ideal, that doesn’t mean you’re limited in your design. One of the most beautiful approaches is combining full, flat flowers with petals and foliage from larger blooms.
For example, petals from roses can be paired with smaller flowers like daisies or lilies to create contrast in both texture and color. This approach adds visual interest while still maintaining the shallow depth required for these keepsakes.
The key is balance. Overfilling the design can take away from the airy, refined look that makes resin trays and coasters so appealing. A thoughtful use of negative space allows each element to stand out.
Choosing the right flowers is an essential part of creating a keepsake that will last for years to come. Flat-shaped blooms not only preserve more effectively in shallow resin molds, but they also create a timeless, elegant design that highlights the natural beauty of each flower.
If your event has already taken place, you can review our shipping instructions here: how to pack and ship your flowers.
And when you’re ready to begin, you can place your deposit here to reserve your preservation.
Sometimes, the most beautiful designs come from keeping things simple—so when it comes to trays and coasters, we say… go flat.
