A method of sealing a membrane electrode assembly comprising an ionomer electrolyte disposed between an anode and a cathode; the method comprising: providing a frame around a periphery of the membrane electrode assembly to form a framed membrane electrode assembly, wherein the frame comprises a first side and an opposing second side and fluidly seals the periphery of the membrane electrode assembly; providing a through-hole in the frame, wherein the through-hole is spaced away from the membrane electrode assembly; placing the framed membrane electrode assembly into a seal mold, the seal mold comprising a reservoir region in fluid communication with the through-hole, a seal bead region, and at least one runner region that fluidly connects the reservoir region to the seal bead region; feeding a flow-processable seal material into the reservoir region in the seal mold that is aligned with the through-hole in the frame, wherein the flow-processable seal material is fed through the through-hole to the first and second sides of the frame; feeding the flow-processable seal material from the reservoir region to the seal bead region through the at least one runner region, thereby forming an elastomeric seal comprising a reservoir, at least one runner, and a seal bead on the first side of the frame after curing of the flow-processable seal material, the elastomeric seal circumscribing the active area of the MEA and being physically separated from the MEA,; wherein the reservoir, the at least one runner, and the seal bead are physically separated from the membrane electrode assembly; wherein the hydraulic diameter of the at least one runner region is less than the hydraulic diameter of the reservoir region; and wherein the at least one runner and the reservoir are shorter in cross-sectional height than the seal bead. providing a frame around a periphery of the membrane electrode assembly to form a framed membrane electrode assembly, wherein the frame comprises a first side and an opposing second side and fluidly seals the periphery of the membrane electrode assembly; providing a through-hole in the frame, wherein the through-hole is spaced away from the membrane electrode assembly; placing the framed membrane electrode assembly into a seal mold, the seal mold comprising a reservoir region in fluid communication with the through-hole, a seal bead region, and at least one runner region that fluidly connects the reservoir region to the seal bead region; feeding a flow-processable seal material into the reservoir region in the seal mold that is aligned with the through-hole in the frame, wherein the flow-processable seal material is fed through the through-hole to the first and second sides of the frame; feeding the flow-processable seal material from the reservoir region to the seal bead region through the at least one runner region, thereby forming an elastomeric seal comprising a reservoir, at least one runner, and a seal bead on the first side of the frame after curing of the flow-processable seal material, the elastomeric seal circumscribing the active area of the MEA and being physically separated from the MEA,; wherein the reservoir, the at least one runner, and the seal bead are physically separated from the membrane electrode assembly; wherein the hydraulic diameter of the at least one runner region is less than the hydraulic diameter of the reservoir region; and wherein the at least one runner and the reservoir are shorter in cross-sectional height than the seal bead. <EOS>