Piercing is a metal-forming process used to create intricate shapes from sheet and plate metal. It involves cutting, drilling, and shaping the metal using specialized tools and machines. Piercing can be used to create a variety of shapes, from simple holes to complex shapes, in both thick and thin sheet metal. This process can be used for both decorative and practical reasons, such as creating handles, hinges, or other components for furniture and joinery. The precision and accuracy of piercing make it an ideal choice for creating intricate shapes that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with other metal-forming processes.