A method of making a five-layer membrane electrode assembly is provided which includes the steps of: providing a catalyst coated membrane web; providing a laminating station wherein the catalyst coated membrane web is drawn between a pair of laminating rollers which form a laminating nip; die-cutting first and second webs of gas diffusion layer material to make first and second gas diffusion layers; feeding first and second gas diffusion layers into the laminating nip adjacent to the catalyst coated membrane web; and laminating the first gas diffusion layer, catalyst coated membrane web and second gas diffusion layer to form a laminate.