When it comes to pressing rosin, getting the right balance of pressure, heat, and time is crucial. Too much pressure, and you risk squeezing out unwanted plant material along with your extract. Too little, and you might leave behind valuable rosin. So, how much pressure should you use? The answer depends on the type of cannabis material you’re pressing.
This guide breaks down the optimal pressure ranges for flower, shake, hash, and kief, so you can fine-tune your rosin press for the best possible yield and quality.
Understanding Pressure in Rosin Pressing
Pressure in rosin extraction is typically measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). However, PSI alone doesn’t tell the full story. The surface area of your rosin plates and the size of your material also play a role.
Rather than focusing on PSI alone, it’s better to consider force per tonnage in relation to the material being pressed.
Now, let’s break it down by material type.
Best Pressure for Different Types of Cannabis Material
1. Flower (Bud) – 600 to 1,500 PSI
Flower is one of the most common materials used for rosin pressing. It requires a moderate amount of pressure to efficiently extract resin while minimising plant matter contamination.
- Low pressure (600-800 PSI) – Best for high terpene preservation and a smoother, more flavourful rosin.
- Medium pressure (800-1,200 PSI) – Ideal for balancing yield and quality.
- High pressure (1,200-1,500 PSI) – Can increase yield but may introduce more plant material into the rosin.
Pro Tip: Use fresh or properly cured flower with a humidity level of around 62% for the best results. Drier flower may require slightly lower pressure to prevent excessive plant material in the extract.
2. Shake & Trim – 1,000 to 2,000 PSI
Shake and trim contain fewer trichomes than full buds, meaning you’ll need to apply more pressure to extract a reasonable yield.
- 1,000-1,500 PSI – Ideal for preserving some terpene content while maintaining a good yield.
- 1,500-2,000 PSI – Higher pressure may be necessary to get a better yield, but be mindful of plant matter contamination.
Since shake and trim are lower in resin content, you may also need to use finer micron filter bags (90-120μm) to reduce unwanted material in your rosin.
3. Hash & Dry Sift – 300 to 800 PSI
Pressing hash or dry sift requires much less pressure than flower. The reason? These materials are already highly concentrated in trichomes, so excessive pressure can push unwanted waxes and fats into the extract.
- 300-500 PSI – Best for high-quality hash rosin with minimal contamination.
- 500-800 PSI – Can increase yield but may introduce more plant lipids into the final product.
Pro Tip: Use a 25-50μm filter bag when pressing hash to keep your rosin as clean and pure as possible.
4. Kief – 400 to 1,000 PSI
Kief, like hash, is a trichome-rich material that doesn’t require extreme pressure. However, because it contains some plant material, it can tolerate slightly higher PSI than hash.
- 400-700 PSI – Best for preserving flavour and producing high-quality rosin.
- 700-1,000 PSI – Can improve yield but may bring in more plant contaminants.
For kief, a 37-90μm filter bag works best to ensure a clean and potent extract.
Final Tips for Perfect Rosin Pressing
- Gradually apply pressure – Start with light pressure and slowly increase over 30-60 seconds to avoid blowouts.
- Match your filter bag micron size to your material – Lower micron sizes for hash and kief, higher for flower and shake.
- Use consistent heat settings – Typically 180-220°F (82-104°C) depending on the material.
- Experiment and adjust – The best pressure can vary based on strain, moisture content, and press type.
Getting the right pressure for rosin pressing is all about balance. Flower requires moderate pressure, shake and trim need a bit more force, while hash and kief perform best with gentle pressing. By fine-tuning your approach, you can maximise yield while maintaining flavour, potency, and purity.
Whether you’re pressing fresh flower or refining hash into top-shelf rosin, using the correct pressure will ensure smooth, golden, and terpene-rich extracts every time.