Choose a rose that is not fully bloomed and does not look wilted or damaged. Dark-colored roses dry the closest to the original color. White or light-pink roses will yellow when they are dried.
Remove each petal from the rose and lay them in a single layer on one towel. Place them with the curling sides down so that they will dry flat.
Place the second towel on top of the layer of roses and pat firmly to remove the moisture from the petals. Do not rub the towel, as this may cause the petals to curl and tear.
Place a heavy book on top of the towels to flatten the petals and hold them in place. The petals will take about 3 to 4 days to dry. Make sure they are completely dry and brittle before removing them, to prevent mold and mildew in the petals.