A process for the preparation of a fibre reinforced composite article comprising the steps of a) providing a mold, comprising an upper die and a lower die, the lower die having a molding surface and vertically extending side walls, the upper die having a complementary molding surface and vertically extending side walls substantially aligned with the side walls of the lower die, so that the upper die vertically moves into the lower die to form a cavity in a partially and completely closed position of the mold, wherein the cavity in a partially closed position is sealed vacuum-tight by at least one seal placed around the vertically extending side walls of the upper die, or the vertically extending side walls of the lower die, horizontally to the moving direction of the upper die, and wherein the at least one seal also works as a resin retention seal which prevents the resin from leaking, b) applying a thermosetting resin composition onto a fibre reinforcement, and placing the thus treated fibre reinforcement into the lower die of the mold, or c) placing a fibre reinforcement into the lower die of the mold, and applying a thermosetting resin composition onto the fibre reinforcement, d) moving the upper die into the lower die and partially closing the mold, e) evacuating the mold in the partially closed position by means of a vacuum outlet to a pressure of from 0.1 to 100 mbar, f) completely closing the mold and exerting a hydraulic pressure of from 2 to 100 bar onto the resin treated reinforcement to complete impregnation of the fibre reinforcement, g) curing the resin impregnated reinforcement, h) demolding the cured composite article. a) providing a mold, comprising an upper die and a lower die, the lower die having a molding surface and vertically extending side walls, the upper die having a complementary molding surface and vertically extending side walls substantially aligned with the side walls of the lower die, so that the upper die vertically moves into the lower die to form a cavity in a partially and completely closed position of the mold, wherein the cavity in a partially closed position is sealed vacuum-tight by at least one seal placed around the vertically extending side walls of the upper die, or the vertically extending side walls of the lower die, horizontally to the moving direction of the upper die, and wherein the at least one seal also works as a resin retention seal which prevents the resin from leaking, b) applying a thermosetting resin composition onto a fibre reinforcement, and placing the thus treated fibre reinforcement into the lower die of the mold, or c) placing a fibre reinforcement into the lower die of the mold, and applying a thermosetting resin composition onto the fibre reinforcement, d) moving the upper die into the lower die and partially closing the mold, e) evacuating the mold in the partially closed position by means of a vacuum outlet to a pressure of from 0.1 to 100 mbar, f) completely closing the mold and exerting a hydraulic pressure of from 2 to 100 bar onto the resin treated reinforcement to complete impregnation of the fibre reinforcement, g) curing the resin impregnated reinforcement, h) demolding the cured composite article.