Methods are proposed for fabricating highly pure lithium metal electrodes from aqueous lithium salt solutions. Electrolysis is performed through lithium ion selective membranes, with constant current densities between about 10 mA/cm2 and about 50 mA/cm2 being applied for a time between about 1 minute and about 60 minutes. The electrolysis is performed under a blanketing atmosphere, the blanketing atmosphere being substantially free of lithium reactive components. Methods are further proposed for vertically integrating the electrolytic fabrication of highly pure lithium metal electrodes into the production of lithium metal batteries, the fabrication of lithium electrodes and lithium metal batteries being performed in a single facility.