Custom Metalwork

Your Idea. Our Metal.

One of our favorite parts of creating custom metalwork is the creative puzzle that comes with it.

You can start with an idea, a memory, a hobby, a person, a photograph, or even just a handful of things someone loves and turn those pieces into something completely unique.

You don't need to have a perfectly formed design before reaching out to us.

Maybe you know you want something special for a couple who loves to golf, but you aren't sure exactly what it should look like. Maybe you have a very specific design already pictured in your head. Or maybe you simply have an idea and want some help figuring out what is possible.

That's where we come in.

Tell us what you're thinking, and we'll work with you to turn that idea into something that can be created in metal.

How Our Custom Ordering Process Works

Every custom project is a little different, but most follow the same basic process.

1. Tell Us About Your Idea

The first step is simply telling us what you'd like to create.

You can provide as much or as little information as you currently have. Helpful information can include:

• Photos or inspiration images

• A rough sketch or drawing

• Names, dates, or wording

• Logos

• Favorite hobbies, animals, flowers, or places

• Approximate dimensions

• Where the finished piece will be displayed

• Your preferred style or overall look

• An approximate budget

Don't worry if you don't have all of these things figured out.

Sometimes a custom project starts with little more than, "I have an idea..."

That's enough to start the conversation.

2. We Create the Initial Design

Once we understand what you're looking for, we begin developing the design.

If you already have a specific idea in mind, we can create a design based closely on the direction you provide.

If you're not quite sure what you want, we may create approximately 2–4 initial design ideas so you can compare different layouts, styles, or directions.

These first designs are intentionally kept somewhat simple.

Their purpose is to establish the overall look and direction of the project rather than spend a large amount of design time adding small details to several different concepts.

Once we know which direction you like, we can focus our time on making that design better.

3. Choose a Design Direction

After reviewing the initial concept or concepts, you can tell us what you like, what you don't like, and what you would like changed.

Sometimes the first idea is exactly what the customer had in mind.

Other times, one design leads to another.

We can try different layouts, change shapes, move elements around, adjust lettering, add or remove details, and continue working through the idea until we find the direction that feels right.

4. We Refine the Final Design

Once a direction has been selected, we begin developing the more detailed version of the design.

Depending on the project, this may include adjusting things such as:

• Overall dimensions

• Lettering and fonts

• Shapes and proportions

• Images or silhouettes

• Decorative details

• Names or dates

• Borders

• Mounting points or installation needs

This is where the initial concept begins turning into the final piece.

5. You Approve the Design

Before your custom piece goes into production, we'll show you the final design.

This gives you the opportunity to look everything over, check important details such as names or dates, and make sure you're happy with the design before we begin making it.

We want both you and us to be comfortable with the final design before the project moves into production.

6. Choose Your Finish

Depending on the project, there are several ways we can finish your metalwork.

Painted

We can paint the finished piece in one of our available color options so it is ready to display.

Bare Metal

Some customers prefer the natural look of unfinished steel or want the metal to weather naturally over time.

Prepared for You to Paint

If you'd rather paint or finish the piece yourself, we can prepare the metal and leave the final finishing up to you.

If you're not sure which option is best for your project, let us know where the piece will be used and we can help you decide.

7. We Make Your Piece

Once the final design and finish have been approved, your project moves into production.

The design is prepared for cutting, fabricated from metal, and finished according to the options you selected.

From there, we'll contact you when your custom piece is ready.

You Don't Need a Finished Design to Get Started

One of the biggest things we want customers to know is that you don't need to have everything figured out before contacting us.

Some customers come to us with a finished drawing and know exactly what they want.

Others send us a photograph.

Some have a rough sketch.

And sometimes the starting point is simply a list of things that are important to someone.

Those details can become the inspiration behind a completely original design.

From an Idea to a Finished Design

One of our favorite custom projects started with a customer who had a very specific list of things they wanted included:

rabbits, the moon, stars, and flowers.

On paper, it sounded simple enough.

But once we began working on the design, the challenge became figuring out how to bring all of those different elements together into one piece that looked like they belonged together.

One design led to another, and another.

That's something that happens fairly often with custom work. The first idea creates a second idea, and sometimes that second idea leads to something even better.

The initial designs aren't set in stone. They're starting points.

We can change the layout, add or remove elements, try a different style, or take pieces from different ideas and bring them together.

That's part of what makes custom work fun.

What Can We Create?

Custom metalwork can take many different forms.

Some of the projects we've worked on include:

• Personalized metal signs

• Memorial pieces

• Garden art

• Decorative garden trellises

• Hunting and outdoor-themed pieces

• European mount displays

• Business and organization signs

• Gifts for weddings, anniversaries, and special occasions

• Pieces featuring names, dates, hobbies, animals, flowers, or meaningful places

• One-of-a-kind designs created from a customer's idea

If what you have in mind isn't on this list, that doesn't necessarily mean we can't make it.

Some of the most interesting projects start with something we've never made before.

Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Metalwork

Do I need to know exactly what I want?

No.

A rough idea is enough to start. We can work from photos, sketches, written descriptions, or simply a conversation about what you'd like the finished piece to represent.

Can you create several ideas for me to choose from?

Will I see the design before you make it?

Can I make changes to the design?

Can I paint the piece myself?

Yes.

Depending on the project, we can provide the piece painted, as bare metal, or prepared so you can apply your own finish.

How much does custom metalwork cost?

The cost of a custom piece can vary depending on its size, design complexity, material, finishing, and the amount of design work involved.

If you contact us with an idea, approximate dimensions, and any reference photos or sketches you have, we can get a much better idea of what will be involved and discuss pricing with you.

Have an Idea? Tell Us About It.

You don't need a finished drawing or a perfect plan.

Send us your idea, a photo, a sketch, or even a list of things you'd like included.

We'll help you figure out where to go from there.