A method can produce a thermoelectric component or at least a semifinished version of the thermoelectric component. The method includes: a) providing a substantially planar substrate; b) providing a pulverulent thermoelectrically active material; c) pressing the active material to form green bodies; d) inserting green bodies into through-holes of the substrate; e) arranging the substrate with the green bodies inserted therein between two substantially planar electrodes; f) contacting face ends of the green bodies with the electrodes; g) exposing the green bodies to an electric current flowing between the electrodes; h) exposing the green bodies to a pressure force acting between the electrodes; i) sintering the green bodies to form thermolegs; and k) levelling the substrate and the thermolegs accommodated therein by bringing them closer to the electrodes while maintaining the parallelity thereof.