A vacuum vibration press manufactures engineered stone slabs that are equal or superior in appearance and physical properties to slabs manufactured using a conventional Breton press, while weighing less, costing less to manufacture, providing shorter press cycle times, requiring less resin, and consuming less energy. In addition to providing a vibration device above the slab, the press also includes a second vibration device below the slab, which replaces the massive inertial base of a Breton press. The vibration devices can have different frequencies, amplitudes, and/or vibration axes. The press can be completely enclosed within a vacuum chamber, and vibrationally isolated from surrounding structures. In embodiments, volume reduction blocks reduce the volume to be evacuated. Embodiments use screw jacks and springs or air bags to provide controlled pressing force and precisely uniform slab thickness. Slabs can be inserted and removed on a conveyor belt, or in separate trays on rollers.