Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method for manufacturing a solid surface article from a composition of a thermosetting resin, a polymerizable vinyl material, an air release agent and a wetting agent together with sufficient amounts of a thixotropic agent to give the composition a thixotropic index of at least 4.5, as well as a solid, particulate material having a particle size of up to 0.1 inch. The composition is coated into a mold and cured to produce a hardened solid surface article. Also disclosed is a compression molding process for applying a backing material to the article.