Something about vintage botanical illustrations that just feels right—soft watercolors, delicate ink sketches and that warm, slightly faded paper that makes everything look like it came straight from an antique bookshop.
They have a way of adding instant charm to junk journals, scrapbook pages, and DIY home decor without trying too hard.
This collection of free printable vintage botanical illustrations is perfect for layering into journal spreads, framing for a cozy cottage-style gallery wall, or even using as wrapping paper for small gifts.
Scroll down, find your favorites and download them for free. No hunting through archives or paying for overpriced prints—just beautiful vintage illustrations, ready to print and use however you like.
Why Vintage Botanical Printables Are Perfect for Creative Projects
Vintage botanical illustrations just work. Maybe it’s the delicate linework, the soft washes of color or the way old paper ages so beautifully.
Whatever it is, these prints can slip into just about any creative project and feel like they’ve always belonged there.
A few ways to use them:
- Junk Journals & Scrapbooks – Layer them with lace, washi tape, or old book pages for an instant vintage vibe.
- Wall Art – Print a few, pop them into simple frames, and you’ve got a gallery wall that looks straight out of a cottagecore dream.
- DIY Stationery – Use them for handmade greeting cards, envelopes or wrapping paper for small gifts.
- Collage & Mixed Media – Cut them up, glue them down and mix them with stamps, aged paper or dried flowers for a one-of-a-kind look.
No matter how you use them, these botanical prints add that soft, old-world charm that makes any project feel a little more special.
Vintage Botanical Illustration Ideas
These vintage botanical prints are inspired from the styles of antique textbooks, Victorian sketchbooks and early 1900s nature studies.
I created the images in this post with the help of AI, then I thoroughly edited them for your use. While they are packed with creativity, they are not an actual photo or vintage hand-drawn artwork. Think of them as fun digital creations designed to inspire and help you create your projects!
Scroll through the collection and download your favorites. Each print is high-quality and ready to use—just click on the image to open it on another tab and from there just right-click to download to your device.
To download the images: Click on your favorite image; this will open the full size image on a new tab. Then, right-click on the image to save it to your device.
Floral Botanical Illustration Vintage Engravings
These engravings feel like history in your hands.
The fine details, the careful shading, the way each petal and leaf is drawn with such precision. It’s easy to see why these prints were once the gold standard for plant studies.
They work beautifully in junk journals, scrapbooks, and vintage-inspired wall art, adding a touch of old-world elegance to any project.
Related: Easter Bunny Vintage Illustrations
Wildflowers & Meadow Plants Botanical Art
These old watercolor illustrations are perfect to layering into a junk journal spread or framing them for a cozy cottage-style corner.
Try printing them on vellum or lightly textured paper to enhance the watercolor effect.
Victorian Botanical Artwork
Old botanical studies are a mix of art and science—carefully drawn plants paired with handwritten Latin names that make every page feel like a piece of history.
These prints are perfect for junk journals, collage art and framed decor, especially if you love vintage academia or nature-inspired designs.
Fruit & Vegetable Botanical Drawings
These vintage botanical prints weren’t just about flowers—early botanical studies also documented fruits, vegetables and herbs with the same level of detail and artistry.
These prints are perfect for kitchen decor, junk journal spreads or DIY recipe cards.
Scientific Fern & Leaf Botanical Sketchbooks
These old botanical studies were often used for scientific journals, decorative prints and nature books. And they still work beautifully today for junk journals, scrapbooks, and framed wall art.
They also work well in collage art or nature-inspired stationery, especially when paired with pressed flowers or wax seals.
Creative Ways to Use These Botanical Prints
Vintage botanical illustrations fit into almost any creative project.
Junk Journaling & Scrapbooking
- Layer with old book pages, lace or dried flowers for a vintage aesthetic.
- Use them as journal covers or background elements in spreads.
- Print on vellum or tracing paper to add soft, see-through layers.
DIY Wall Art & Home Decor
- Frame a set of botanical prints for easy, budget-friendly wall art.
- Clip them onto a twine garland for a cozy, vintage look.
- Use as kitchen or garden decor, especially fruit and herb prints.
DIY Stationery & Gift Wrap
- Print smaller versions for gift tags, envelope liners, or greeting cards.
- Wrap small gifts in botanical prints for a unique, vintage-style presentation.
- Turn them into custom stickers or labels for planners and notebooks.
Mixed Media & Collage Art
- Cut and layer them with textured papers, wax seals or ink stamps.
- Print onto fabric or transfer paper to use in sewing projects.
- Use as a backdrop for handwritten quotes or calligraphy.
These prints are easy to use and instantly give any project a classic, old-world feel.
Free Printable Vintage Botanical Images
Vintage botanical prints have a way of making any project feel timeless.
These free printables are easy to download and print, so grab your favorites and start creating.
And if you love vintage printables, don’t forget to pin this post so you can find it later!
