In a process for the manufacture of an optical ribbon conductor from several optical conductors, the outer circumference of at least one optical conductor (LW2) is coated with a first coating material (FC). The optical conductor (LW2) and at least another optical conductor (LW3) are arranged adjacent to each other in their longitudinal direction (OA) and are formed into a ribbon conductor and coated with a second coating (BC), so that a gap (S) results between the two adjacent optical conductors which is not occupied by an optical conductor. The position of at least one of the optical conductors (LW2, LW3) within the ribbon conductor (LWB) is controlled relative to the coating thickness (D) of the second coating material (BC). The second coating material (BC) can then dependably be removed after manufacture without also removing the first coating material (FC).