Methods for molding glass and glass composites, including providing a first structure having a first surface, providing a second structure having a second surface, the second surface being patterned and porous, and disposing between the first and second surfaces an amount of a composition comprising a glass, then heating together the first and second structures and the first amount of the composition sufficiently to soften the first amount of the composition such that the first and second structures, under gravity or an otherwise applied force, move toward each other, such that the pattern ofthe second surface is formed into the first amount of the composition, then cooling the composition sufficiently to stabilize it, the second structure comprising porous carbon having an open porosityof at least 5% and wherein the amount of the composition is removable from the second surface, without damage to the amount of the composition or to the second surface, such that the second surface isin condition for re-use.