Processing techniques to synthesize Ti_5Si₃ from a mixture of elemental powders were studied. Two routes of synthesis, self-propagating high-temperature synthesis(SHS) and reactive sintering, as well as the effect of Cu as an activator for the sintering reaction were studied. For the final densification treatment, elemental powders were mixed and refined either by mechanical milling using an attritor or by ball milling. The optimum milling conditions for the maximum density, such as revolution speed and milling time, as well as the compaction pressure were identified. Due to the difficulties involving reaction rate control and gas removal, the SHS method did not yield high density. However, the reactive sintering resulted in a significant reduction of porosity. Cu addition proved to be effective in densification, and a sintered density over 90% of the theoretical density was obtained in a sample containing 1wt.% of Cu. The effect was attributed to the promotion of diffusion, which was interpreted in terms of the `figure of merit` concept.