Methods and systems for readily and economically manufacturing hydraulically settable articles, particularly containers, from microstructurally engineered hydraulically settable mixtures. The mixture is pressed between a male die of a desired shape and a female die having a substantially complimentary configuration of the male die shape to immediately fashion a portion of the mixture into a form stable shape for the desired article. To assist in imparting form stability, the dies can be heated or cooled. Once the article has obtained form stability, the article is removed from the dies and dried under heated air to gain strength. The article can then receive printing or a coating, if desired, prior to packaging, shipping, and use.