What is Metal Stamping & What is Metal Pressing

In short, metal stamping and metal pressing is the creation (forming) of a shape in metal. This is done by either pressing the metal with a pressing tool or using a stamping die there is also multi slide stamping.

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Spotlight On: Pressings & Stampings

We have been spring manufacturers for over seventy years and are keen to share our passion for bespoke pressings and bespoke stampings with you. We currently produce a wide range of springs and wire forms for companies all over the world, from Sweden to China, so you can trust our expert knowledge.

The History of Stamping and Pressing

Going back as far as , stamping and pressing technology was built on the foundations of blacksmithing. In the past, blacksmiths would use hammers, anvils, and forges to coldwork metal, but in the age of industry, this quickly became automated with the creation of steam-powered hammering machines. Since then, we have been refining our manufacturing process to get to where we are now ' high-quality products made quickly and efficiently. If you want to read more about the history of stamping and pressing, we recommend that you read our blog: A Brief History of Pressings and Stampings.

How Are Pressings and Stampings Different?

The words 'stamping' and 'pressing' are used interchangeably but refer to the same process. This is important to bear in mind when reading articles about pressings and stampings in case this isn't clarified and the misconception that they are different products spreads.

Why Are Pressings and Stampings Produced?

Pressings and stampings can be used to become a part of many important products in modern day society, including bicycle parts, aeroplane parts and entire cans. In fact, pressings can be considered an instrumental part of the aerospace, automotive, and construction industries. We consider them so important that we even wrote a blog that considers the state of the world without having discovered stamping and pressing technology: Imagine a World Without Pressings and Stampings.

The number of items produced through stamping is quite broad, from clock springs to race car springs which shows how integral they are to modern life. Each different pressing will have its own meaning and importance within the industry it was created for.

How Are Pressings and Stampings Produced?

Stampings, or pressings, are created by inserting flat sheet metal into a specialist machine often referred to as a stamping press, but also sometimes called a power press. This metal is then formed into the correct shape(s) through the use of a metal die. A die is an implement which is pushed into the sheet metal. This forces the sheet metal to take the shape of the die.

After the metal is shaped, it may undergo further treatment including punching, blanking, embossing, bending, flanging and coining. Of these, punching is the simplest to understand as it simply refers to the desired metal shape being punched out of the surrounding material. We'll explain the other operations a little further here:

Blanking ' The process by which a flat shape is cut out of the material, this process usually leads to further processing. Did you know that all drinks cans start off as circular blanks?

Embossing ' A shallow depression is forced into the material.

Bending ' The material is shaped in one direction. This can happen multiple times to produce a particular shape.

Flanging ' Like bending, but along a curved edge.

Coining ' Named after the item it was initially used to create, coining is the process by which a pattern is compressed into the flat sheet metal.

There are many other types of pressings too, including stretching, necking, and hemming.

For more information, please visit stamping press parts and service.

What Are Pressings and Stampings Made From?

Our pressings can be made from a variety of materials to suit any industry's requirements. You should contact us if you're seeking a pressing made from one of these materials or an alloy: metal strip, flattened wire, melinex, carbon and stainless steels, copper, brass, phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, aluminium and superalloy. If you have a particular project in mind, get in touch with us so we can discuss which technologies best suit your designs.

As stated in the video below, good collaboration in the planning stage will give your pressing request the best chance to work with your product design ideas:

There is even technology that can run your pressing design through simulation software on a computer to ensure that it will withstand the strain of the application it is going to be used in, so ensure that you make the most of our design support when placing an order with us.

If you have any further questions about the processes of our metalworking, why not contact us directly and we'll see how we can help make your next product design become reality. We can even provide you with prototypes to ensure that you will be receiving exactly what you ask for, whether that's some flanging, bending, coining, or all three.

The Presswork process is a key element of various manufacturing businesses including car manufacturing.  Even though plastics are widely used, they do not always offer the same strength or versatility that metal can and that's why metal presswork is still key. 

The Press or Power Press represents a specific type of machine tool, essential in the performance of industrial manufacturing processes.

It accommodates both single operation and progression tooling and delivers energy through a force that acts over a distance or stroke. The method and nature by which a press machine will deliver its energy will vary, dependent on its type and tonnage.

At Qutec, we can offer press capacity ranging from 20T through to 500T with bed sizes ranging up to 1m x 1.5m. In turn, a number of our presses are able to feed up to 600mm wide coil on progression. 

Press machines are the primary machine used in metal forming, extrusion and sheet metal fabrication. Hydraulic and mechanical presses can be employed across metal sheet, coils, strips or blanks, producing metal pressings or drawn and formed metal components.

Advantages of pressing/stamping

• One of the biggest benefits of the presswork process is that it is suitable for a wide range of different applications. Indeed, the presswork process is incredibly versatile.
• Power presses come in a variety of forms and have evolved over many years of development. Most presses are still mechanical which provides a single blow of defined tonnage and stroke. More modern presses are hydraulic or pneumatic which can offer a variable tonnage with an adjustable stroke. The choice of the press should be dictated by the component required.
• The pressing process also provides a high level of strength for relatively thin parts. Again, it guarantees that it is possible to deliver a high-quality component that clients want and expect. This doesn't change based on the presswork machine you choose. They all provide similar characteristics in the component produced on a repeatable basis, regardless of whether the machine is pneumatic, manual, or hydraulic.
• With suitable tooling, a power press can be used to produce a wide range of components for a variety of industries. Just as we do here at QuTec Pershore Ltd.
• This process can also be completed at a reasonable price. Despite high energy consumption presswork is often an affordable solution and will fit the budget of numerous businesses.
• It's also easy to make parts in various materials and thicknesses. Presswork is usually associated with high-volume production.

Disadvantages of pressing/stamping

There are several disadvantages to be aware of when using presswork.

• First, a presswork machine needs to be correctly maintained and have the correct safety guards fitted. It also needs to be set-up by a qualified technician. It must also be the correct power press for the application required. That's why it's important to choose a business that is using a variety of well-maintained presses like QuTec.
• It is important to have the correct tooling to install in the power presses to produce the component you require. In most instances, more than one tool will be required. Generally, this is what will require the most investment to manufacture the parts that are required. At QuTec we can offer a design & manufacturing service for press tooling.
• It's also important to be aware that these machines are designed to operate at high speeds. As such, the process is largely efficient providing the correct tooling is in place and well maintained. Also, a sufficient quantity of components is required to justify the tooling investment required
• Presswork is a process that imposes some limitations on the component design. However, the combination of a suitable power press and well-designed press tooling offers an extremely cost-effective method of manufacture.

While there are certainly issues with this particular metal process, it's clear that the advantages of using presswork certainly outweigh the cons with the right product. That's why presswork is still a staple of the manufacturing industry today. So, are you fully convinced that presswork is for you? Get in touch today to speak to our friendly staff to find out why QuTec should be your go-to for all your presswork requirements. Call us on +44(0) 555 088 or alternatively us at

Contact us to discuss your requirements of stamping press design innovations. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.