Abstract: Ceramic articles, particularly ceramic cores and molds for an investment casting and combinations of ceramic cores and molds are produced using temporary molds, patterns or models made by a rapid prototyping or solid free-form manufacturing process. The molds, cores and patterns are contacted with ceramic slurry, which is then solidified by lowering the temperature of the slurry. What was liquid in the original slurry is then removed by sublimation leaving behind a ceramic article having a configuration, which is defined by the temporary tooling. The ceramic article so produced may be densified by sintering, and is used in a casting process.