Cold Edge Gallery is built on two strengths that do not usually come as a pair: Michele’s natural creative instinct and Gary’s engineering discipline. Add in years of travel and collecting influences from Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean, and you get metal art that feels global, modern, and surprisingly personal.
Whether you choose from our catalog or commission something custom, our goal is simple: make the final piece look effortless, even though the journey from raw aluminum to finished artwork is anything but.
Why process matters when you buy metal art
From a distance, metal art can look similar across shops. Up close, the difference is obvious. Edges feel cleaner. The surface catches light in a controlled way. The finish looks intentional instead of accidental.
That difference comes from what happens after the cut. In plasma cutting, “dross” is a common cut-quality issue, and it is essentially re-solidified molten metal that was not fully ejected from the cut. Dross is strongly influenced by variables like cutting speed and torch standoff, which is why post-cut cleanup and finishing discipline matters so much.5
Our standard catalog workflow for metal art
When you purchase from our regular collection, you are getting a repeatable, proven workflow designed to produce a consistent finish and a professional look, every time.
- Load the cut file into our CNC plasma cutting machine.
- Lay a sheet of aluminum onto the cutting table.
- Run the cutting process and complete the profile cut.
- Remove the artwork from the table after the cut.
- Sand both sides to remove slag and burrs from the piece.
- Brush the surface as many passes as needed to achieve a clean, finished brushed look.
- Clean, clear coat, and pack the artwork in a custom box, then label and ship it.
This is also why our brushed surfaces look the way they do. Abrasive belts used for finishing can be chosen specifically for deburring, blending, and finishing, and they can also create a consistent “grain pattern” that reads as premium instead of noisy.1
Custom metal art: how your idea becomes a finished piece
Custom work is where your wall stops being “a space that needs something” and becomes the backdrop to a story that is yours. A family name sign for an entryway. A wave-inspired piece that matches your coastal home. A geometric abstract that finally makes your modern living room feel complete.
Here is how we make custom metal art simple for you, even though the build itself is highly detailed.
Step 1: Share your idea
Send a rough sketch, inspiration photos, or even a plain-language description. Include size, placement, and style preferences.
Step 2: We design it
We translate your concept into a precise CAD design so the proportions, balance, and final look are intentional. We share the design for your approval before fabrication.
Step 3: Crafting and installation support
After approval, we fabricate the piece and finish it with the same care as our catalog work. Once it ships, we provide step-by-step installation instructions so you or your handyman can install it smoothly.
This CAD-to-fabrication mindset is standard in modern manufacturing. For example, SOLIDWORKS describes workflows where sheet metal geometry can be flattened and exported as 2D DXF geometry used to program CNC machines for cutting operations, including plasma cutting.8
See the style in real pieces from our gallery
Unchained Halos for bold circular movement and clean modern symmetry.
Breeze for wave energy and fluid motion in aluminum.
Kauai for abstract metal wall art with an organic, travel-inspired feel.
How do I choose the right size?
Start with the wall width, then decide how “present” you want the piece to feel. If you want it to anchor the room, go larger. If you want it to complement furniture and lighting, go mid-sized. If you’re unsure, send us a photo of the wall and the dimensions. We’ll help you avoid the most common mistake: buying art that’s technically nice, but visually too small for the space.
Can you match my room’s style?
Yes. Our process is built around the reality that your space already has a personality. The goal is to make the piece feel like it belongs there, not like it was dropped in from a catalog page.
What if I only have a vague idea for custom?
That’s normal. A clear emotional direction is often enough to start. If you can describe what you want the room to feel like, we can guide the design from there.
Make your wall the part people remember
Metal art works best when it feels tailored to your space, your light, and your personality. If you are unsure what size or style will look right, we can help. Send the size of your wall or space along with a photo, and we will recommend pieces that match your room’s energy and proportions.
Ready to start? Share your idea and your dimensions, and let’s turn it into metal art that looks like it was always meant to be there.
References
- 3M. (n.d.-a). 3M™ Cloth Belt 777F. https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40071939/
- 3M. (n.d.-b). Changing surface properties for better adhesion. https://www.3m.com.au/3M/en_AU/bonding-and-assembly-au/resources/science-of-adhesion/changing-surface-properties/
- ARKU Maschinenbau GmbH. (n.d.). Thermal cut deslagging machine: EdgeBreaker® 5000 MAXX. https://www.arku.com/en/deburring-machines/plasma-and-flame-cut-parts/slag-removal-edgebreaker-5000-maxx
- Hypertherm. (2021, December 13). Plasma cutting aluminum – what you need to know [Blog post]. https://www.hypertherm.com/resources/more-resources/blogs/plasma-cutting-aluminum/
- Hypertherm. (n.d.). Troubleshooting cut quality problems – parts have too much dross slag. https://www.hypertherm.com/resources/system-support/maintenance-and-use/cut-quality/too-much-dross/
- Mankiewicz. (n.d.). Coating aluminum surfaces. Alexseal. https://www.alexseal.com/application-guide/specialty-applications/coating-aluminum-surfaces
- Sherwin-Williams. (n.d.). Surface preparation. https://www.sherwin-williams.com/painting-contractors/probuy/resources/surface-preparation
- Vadnerkar, S. (2025, May 21). Enhance your data for downstream manufacturing. The SOLIDWORKS Blog. https://blogs.solidworks.com/solidworksblog/2025/05/enhance-your-data-for-downstream-manufacturing.html
