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Artificial flowers: the myths, the materials and the advantages

A lot of negative press is given to artificial flowers. Many people wouldn’t choose artificial flowers over natural flowers because they could easily be mistaken for fakes. They were often cheaply made or clearly faked from materials that could not withstand harsh colours or frayed.
Artificial flowers look amazing thanks to technological advancements over the past few years. They can be used as home decor and wedding bouquets. Artificial flowers can now be made with different materials and in different ways. It’s amazing to smell and see how realistic faux flowers can be.

Artificial flowers can be made of many materials. There are many alternatives to natural flowers: silk flowers, plastic flowers, foam flowers, and paper flowers. Finoak artificial flowers made of latex are so real-looking that it’s hard to tell the difference. These artificial flowers are the closest thing to natural flowers you can find.
What are the differences between materials?
Latex Flowers

Latex is actually a plant-derived substance. It’s a milky liquid found in 10% of all flowering species. Latex floral decorations are not made of tough plastics like the ones used to make flowers in 1950s. Instead, they are made from molds of live plants. Latex moulds are able to capture veins and uneven stem and flower outlines because it is malleable. It is important to keep them as natural as possible.

Artificial latex flowers

This flexibility also allows for brilliantly vivid colours to be kept in the petals. You can brighten up your home by adding bright poppy red and bold chrysanthemum green. Once flowers have been made from moulds, they are sturdy and can be rearranged in vases like real flowers. With the right care, they will last a lifetime.
Foam flowers

Foam is the most commonly associated material with fake flowers. The green foam blocks in which faux stems are placed are common at Christenings, weddings, and parties. Foam flowers can be easily mistaken for real ones, even though they are durable. They are meant to resemble the real thing, not replicate it. These flowers can be used as florist supplies or for decorating at parties, but they are not suitable for artificial wedding flowers.
Silk flowers

Silk flowers look almost natural and are popular for artificial wedding bouquets. Although silk flowers are beautiful and can look very attractive, they can also be quite expensive. Silk is not an everyday material and might not be the best choice for decorating your home. It’s better to save silk for special occasions.

Silk is not for you if you are looking for durability. The edges can fray easily and you may end up with fringes around your petals. This is a sign that your floral decorations have been artificially made. The petals also need to be cleaned and maintained.

While silk flowers can be beautiful for weddings, they are more suitable to decorate the home than party flowers.
Plastic flowers

Because of how they are made, plastic flowers can be more affordable. The process of injecting polyester into molds and dyeing it then allows plastic floral decorations to be mass-produced. These decorations can be easily remade quickly and inexpensively. They are also often available in supermarkets and budget shops. They are durable and made to last.

Unfortunately, the low-budget nature and smell of polyester flowers can be seen in the final product. These are popular, cheap alternatives that are not suitable for artificial flowers, or high-quality florist supplies.
Paper flowers

For the creative types, paper flowers can be a great choice as they add an artistic touch to traditional party flowers or wedding decorations. They are usually made of tissue or crepe paper, so they look delicate and light. You can also re-create all types of flowers, including roses, dogwoods, peonies and daisies. They are often used as novelty flowers by florists. However, they can also be purchased from suppliers and flower shops. It is true that paper flowers are more an artistic representation of real flowers, and a stylised decoration than a real imitation. They could be used as an artificial bouquet for weddings or as a temporary centerpiece in your dining room. However, they are not durable and will not offer a real alternative to real flowers.