A liquid crystal device (5) is made by providing an LCD sandwich made of two glass substrates (20) with electrodes, spacers (21), and an uncured sealant (22). A gap (26) with a specified internal volume lies between the two glass substrates. A vacuum reservoir (23) having an internal volume substantially larger than the internal volume of the gap is temporarily attached to the LCD sandwich to align the glass substrates and hold them in place. The LCD sandwich and vacuum reservoir are placed into a conformable container or vacuum bag (24). A vacuum is drawn on the bag so that the bag walls contact the LCD sandwich, and the bag is sealed to maintain the vacuum. The assembly is then heated while under vacuum for a time and a temperature sufficient to cause the gap in the LCD sandwich to decrease to a desired final gap and to cure the sealant.