Precision die forgings that is produced on a horizontal forging machine (upsetter) is known as upsetting. In Upsetting, stock is held between a fixed and moving die while a horizontal ram provides the pressure to forge the stock. After each ram stroke, the multiple-impression dies opens to permit transfer of stock from one cavity to another.

Closed die forging is another form of impression die forging. It does not depend on flash formation to achieve complete filling of the die. Material is deformed in a cavity that allows little or no escape of excess material, thus placing greater demands on die design.

Impression die forgings and precision forgings are further refinements of the blocker forgings. The finished part more closely resembles the die impression.

In impression die forging, two dies are brought together, squeezing the metal causing it to fill the die impression. Depending on the design, metal can be allowed to flow outside of the dies or can be allotted no escape.

The impression die forging process usually requires one hit through a die cavity for the metal. The impression die forging process relies heavily on the work of the dies and less on the work of the operator.

Impression-die forging is also called closed-die forging. In impression-die work metal is placed in a die resembling a mold, which is attached to the anvil. Usually the hammer die is shaped as well. The hammer is then dropped on the workpiece, causing the metal to flow and fill the die cavities. The hammer is generally in contact with the workpiece on the scale of milliseconds. Depending on the size and complexity of the part the hammer may be dropped multiple times in quick succession. Excess metal is squeezed out of the die cavities, forming what is referred to as flash. The flash cools more rapidly than the rest of the material; this cool metal is stronger than the metal in the die so it helps prevent more flash from forming. This also forces the metal to completely fill the die cavity. After forging the flash is removed.

In commercial impression-die forging the workpiece is usually moved through a series of cavities in a die to get from an ingot to the final form. The first impression is used to distribute the metal into the rough shape in accordance to the needs of later cavities; this impression is called an edging, fullering, or bending impression. The following cavities are called blocking cavities, in which the piece is working into a shape that more closely resembles the final product. These stages usually impart the workpiece with generous bends and large fillets. The final shape is forged in a final or finisher impression cavity. If there is only a short run of parts to be done it may be more economical for the die to lack a final impression cavity and instead machine the final features.