A method is disclosed for making a fiber optic array for use in an optical scanning device. The array includes a substrate and a plurality of optical fibers arranged on the substrate to form a linear array of the fibers. Each of the fibers is received in grooves in the substrate to precisely space the fibers relative to each other. Each of the fibers is adapted to receive light from a source such as a laser diode. In order to increase the packing density of the fibers in the array, the fibers are mounted in sets of parallel grooves which are spaced to draw the fibers closer together at an output end. Further, the ends of the fibers are etched to decrease the cladding diameter and thereby permit the fiber ends to be more closely spaced relative to each other.