Floral Design Tools and Supplies

Principles and Elements of Floral Design

TEKS C (6) (b) Identify tools, chemicals, and equipment used in

floral design

What tools and supplies are needed for floral designs?• When instructed to start, write on a piece

of paper as many floral design tools or supplies you can think of in 30 seconds.

Today we will…

• Identify common floral design tools and supplies.

• Differentiate between types of cutting tools.

• Investigate anchoring materials. • Recognize supplies needed for corsages,

bouquets, and boutonnieres.

Tools and Supplies• Floral design tools make floral work more

efficient.• Knowledge of the tools and their use for floral

design is necessary for those conducting floral work.

www.hgtv.com

Florist Knives• Floral knives are used for many floral design

tasks.• The primary use is for cutting stems.• To be effective, a floral knife must be kept

sharp.• The cutting method:• Hold stem with one hand (non-dominant)• Hold the knife at an angle the other

(dominant) hand to the stem.• The cut is made as the stem is pulled

away.

www.knifecenter.com

Shears• Two kinds of shears: florist shears and pruning

shears.• Shears are used to cut woody stems.• Shears should be used over scissors, because

shears cut through plant material without pinching the stem.

• Florist shears can be used to cut florist wire, but pruning shears can NOT.

www.gardenproducts.com/au

Florist shears Pruning shears

Scissors• Scissors are very useful in the design area.• Two kinds of scissors: Ribbon & Utility• Ribbon scissors have ling, sharp blades designed

for cutting ribbon, netting, or fabric.• Utility scissors are used to cut paper, leaves, and

other materials. • Scissors should NOT be used for cutting stems or

florist wire.

http://tuscolaagriculture.weebly.com/uploads/8/3/8/9/8389114/foral_design_tools.pdf

Floral Foam• Floral foam provides support

and stability for the stems.• It crushes easily and does not

return to foam—Handle and place stems carefully!

• Two kinds of floral foam: wet and dry foam.

• Wet foam (Oasis) holds water and is used for fresh cut flower arrangements.

• Dry foam is used for dry arrangements.

www.floraldesgininstitute.com

Anchor Tape• Anchor tape is used to secure floral foam to the

container. • Comes in widths of ¼ and ½ inch and in green,

white, or clear.• Anchor tape is also called waterproof tape.

www.oceansfloral.co.nz

Anchor Pin• An anchor pin is a plastic four-pronged design

mechanic that is secured to the bottom of a container with floral clay or glue.

• An anchor pin is particularly useful with a low container.

www.floraldesigninstitute.com

Pan-melt Glue• Pan-melt glue is an

adhesive that can be used to secure floral foam to a container.

• Dry foam is dipped into the pan-melt glue and quickly placed in the plastic container or liner.

• Pieces of pan-melt glue are heated to a temperature of 275ºF in a skillet.

www.floraldesigninstitute.com

Needlepoint Holder• Also known as a frog or pin holder• A needlepoint holder consists of a heavy metal

base with many sharp, closely spaced upright pins or needles.

• Provides support for flowers, instead of using floral foam.

• Needlepoint holders are used for designs with a few flowers and with line designs.

www.flowerbrained.com

Greening Pin• A greening pin is a two-pronged metal pin with

an “S” or flat top.• It is used to secure moss or other foliage.

www.floraldesigninstitute.com

Water Tube• A water tube is a

plastic tube with a rubber top that has a small opening to hold a floral stem.

• The tube holds water and is used for boxed flowers that may be out of water for a while.

www.flowerduet.com

Wood Pick• A narrow piece of wood with a wire attached at

the top.• Used with dry or silk flowers to give stems added

length or strength.• Wood picks are available in various lengths.

www.gajewholesalefloral.com

Florists Wire• Florists wire is sold in

18-inch lengths and is available in different gauges, or thicknesses.

• A smaller gauge means a thicker wire.

• Typical uses:• #26- bows• #24- medium-

weight flowers• #22- heavier

flowers

www.koch.com.au

Floral Tape• Floral tape is paper coated

with paraffin or wax.• It is available in ½- and 1-inch

widths.• Half inch floral tape is used to

cover wire and stems.• One inch floral tape is used

for bouquets and wreaths.• When it is stretched and

pulled tightly around the work, it sticks to itself.

www.floralcompanyonline.com

Ribbon• May be satin, cotton, silk, paper, or burlap.• Ribbon sizes #1, #1 ½, and #3 are used for

corsage work.• Ribbon sizes #5 and #9 are used for potted

plant or arrangements.• Ribbon size #40 is used for large bows in funeral

sprays.

www.weddingflowersandreceptionideas.com

Floral Foam Holder• A floral foam holder is a plastic cage with a

handles.• A saturated piece of floral foam is placed inside

the cage.

www.gobizkorea.com

Floral Glue• Has many purposes in floral design.• A glue gun is used to heat the glue, which is

extruded with a pull of the trigger.

www.gtfloristsupplies.co.uk

Corsage or Boutonniere Pin• Used to attach the floral work to clothing. • A corsage pin is longer than a boutonniere pin.• Both pins have rounded tops.

www.fs-imports.com

Activity• Students will create a flip book covering each of

the tools discussed today. • The flip book will include a title page and a page

for each tool.• Each page needs to include the following:• The name of the tool• A description of the tool• A sketch of the tool

• Be creative and neat!

Review

• What tool is used to cut stems?• What is the difference between dry and wet

foam?• What is used to anchor the floral foam to the

container?• What is unique about floral wire gauges?• What happens when floral tape is stretched?

Today we…

• Identified common floral design tools and supplies.

• Differentiated between types of cutting tools.

• Investigated anchoring materials. • Recognized supplies needed for corsages,

bouquets, and boutonnieres.

Developed by Ashley Hambleton and Kirk Edney,

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications,

Texas A&M Universityfor the Texas Education Agency, Educational

Excellence Project for AFNR©Texas Education Agency, 2014