A method of pressure sintering an environmental barrier coating on a surface of a ceramic substrate to form an article includes the steps of etching the surface of the ceramic substrate to texture the surface, disposing an environmental barrier coating on the etched surface of the ceramic substrate wherein the environmental barrier coating includes a rare earth silicate, and pressure sintering the environmental barrier coating on the etched surface of the ceramic substrate in an inert or nitrogen atmosphere at a pressure of greater than atmospheric pressure such that at least a portion of the environmental barrier coating is disposed in the texture of the surface of the ceramic substrate thereby forming the article.