Metal stamping can involve a number of operations, performed simultaneously or in varying sequence. Examples include:

• Bending - The material is deformed or bent along a straight line.

• Flanging - The material is bent along a curved line.

• Embossing - The material is stretched into a shallow depression. Used primarily for adding decorative patterns. See also Repoussé and chasing.

• Blanking - A piece is cut out of a sheet of the material, usually to make a blank for further processing.

• Coining - A pattern is compressed or squeezed into the material. Traditionally used to make coins.

• Drawing - The surface area of a blank is stretched into an alternate shape via controlled material flow. See also deep drawing.

• Stretching - The surface area of a blank is increased by tension, with no inward movement of the blank edge. Often used to make smooth auto body parts.

• Ironing - The material is squeezed and reduced in thickness along a vertical wall. Used for beverage cans and ammunition cartridge cases.

• Reducing/Necking - Used to gradually reduce the diameter of the open end of a vessel or tube.

• Curling - Deforming material into a tubular profile. Door hinges are a common example.

• Hemming - Folding an edge over onto itself to add thickness. The edges of automobile doors are usually hemmed.

Piercing and cutting can also be performed in stamping presses. Progressive stamping is a combination of the above methods done with a set of dies in a row through which a strip of the material passes one step at a time.