Method and apparatus for producing preform

A method of producing a reinforcing fiber preform comprising:

• holding at least one substrate laminate by a shaping mold composed of at least two molds that face each other, wherein the at least one substrate laminate is selected from a substrate laminate produced by laminating multiple reinforcing fiber substrates each having a fixing material applied to at least one surface thereof and a substrate laminate produced by laminating multiple reinforcing fiber substrates with the fixing material interposed therebetween;
• and
• subsequently applying an electric current to the substrate laminate in a direction of lamination to heat the reinforcing fiber substrates and thereby apply heat to the fixing material to further fix substrate layers comprising the substrate laminate to each other by a mechanism that makes electric resistance in a fixing area relatively lower compared to that in a non-fixing area in the substrate laminate, wherein the mechanism makes a fiber occupation ratio in the fixing area relatively higher compared to that in the non-fixing area upon holding the substrate laminate by the shaping mold.