A microneedle array is provided for administrating a drug or other substance into a biological tissue. The array includes a base substrate; a primary funnel portion extending from one side of the base substrate; and two or more solid microneedles extending from the primary funnel portion, wherein the two or more microneedles comprise the substance of interest. Methods for making an array of microneedles are also provided. The method may include providing a non-porous and gas-permeable mold having a two or more cavities each of which defines a microneedle; filling the cavities with a fluid material which includes a substance of interest and a liquid vehicle; drying the fluid material to remove at least a portion of the liquid vehicle and form a plurality of microneedles that include the substance of interest, wherein the filling is conducted with a pressure differential applied between opposed surfaces of the mold.