A method for preparing an abradable panel for a rub strip (80) of a fan case (60) of a gas turbine engine includes forming an abradable material into a plurality of panels each comprising an abradable structure; curing the abradable material in the plurality of panels; and installing the plurality of panels into the fan case (60). The panels can be cured and assembled into a fully assembled rubstrip (80), and then the assembled rubstrip (80) can be installed into the fan case (60).