Repoussé consists of using variously shaped punches and a hammer to bring portions of sheet metal into relief and to push back other portions into concavity. The parts rough into relief are worked from the back of the metal, and the parts that are concave or depressed are worked from the front. Much of the appeal of repoussé work consists in the knowledge that the entire object is made of one piece of metal, whose raised and lowered surfaces catch the light and cast shadows.

Repoussé work is often done in combination with chasing, which, strictly speaking, is any modelling done from the front of the metal. Repoussé tools and chasing tools are therefore often used on the same piece of work.

During the working of the metal, the entire surface must be supported on a material resilient enough to give in to the hammer blows ont he tools which form the metal and to hold it in place while it is being tooled.

Traditionally, the material used for this purpose is "pitch", which, combined with other materials, retains the necessary amount of plasticity and adheres to the metal when cool, thereby anchoring it firmly in place during the work. Pitch can be heated to allow the metal to be removed from the surface should it be necessary to anneal it or to allow its position to be change for work on another area or direction (reversed).