Abstract: An optical fiber (21) which has been drawn from a preform (22) is moved into and through a chamber (38) of a housing. A source of vacuum is connected to the chamber to prevent the attachment of air pockets to the optical fiber as it is being moved through the chamber and through an opening of a die. The die includes a flow path (55) which is substantially normal to the path of travel of the optical fiber and the die opening is substantially larger than the diameter of the optical fiber. The thickness of the flow path in a direction along the path of travel is sufficiently small so as to prevent the recirculation of the coating material in the vicinity of the point of application to the optical fiber. Also, the fiber draw rate, the pressure of the coating material the direction of the flow path relative to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber and the diameter of the die opening are such that a gap forms between the coating material and the die.