Florist wrap, ribbon, and raffia are sold in bulk and are not practical to buy for a single bouquet. The retail markup on these materials at craft stores is also significant. There are direct substitutes that produce a comparable result.
Wrapping material options
- Brown kraft paper from a hardware or packaging store costs a fraction of florist paper and handles identically.
- Newspaper works for informal gifting and has been used by market florists for decades.
- Fabric offcuts — cotton or linen — give a textured finish and can be secured with a rubber band hidden under a simple knot.
Securing the stems
Florist tape is useful but not essential. A rubber band placed tightly at the binding point, then covered with twine or ribbon, holds stems securely. The key is placing the binding at the natural balance point — roughly one-third up from the stem ends.
How to wrap without it unravelling
- Lay the paper diagonally, not flat.
- Place the bouquet at one corner, stems toward the opposite corner.
- Roll the paper around the stems, folding the bottom edge up as you go.
- Secure at the binding point with twine.
The diagonal wrap technique is standard in markets across Europe and produces a clean cone shape without any specialist tools.