A method for manufacturing an optical fibre, comprising the steps of: - drawing a glass core, or an optical waveguide, from a glass preform at a rate greater than 30 m/s, or greater than 40 m/s, the drawing further comprising: - applying a first layer of coating material to surround the glass core or optical waveguide, which first coating material is formed from a curable polymer; curing the first layer of coating material to form a primary cured layer - applying a second layer of coating material to surround the cured first layer of coating material which second coating material is formed from a curable polymer; - curing the second layer of coating material to form a cured secondary layer - applying a polymeric ink coating material comprising a colouring agent to surround the second layer of cured coating material and - curing the ink coating material to form a cured ink coating layer, the cured ink coating layer having a glass transition temperature (T g-ink) greater than or equal to 55 °C, wherein the cured secondary layer has a higher Young's modulus than the cured primary layer and wherein the cured ink coating layer has a Young's modulus that is higher than that of the primary or absorbing layer, and, - wherein the temperature of the secondary coating layer (TSec) entering the ink layer applicator is less than or equal to the Tg-ink+ 20 °C, and wherein the temperature of the secondary coating layer (Tsec) entering the ink layer applicator is greater than or equal to the Tg-ink- 25 °C, greater than or equal to the Tg-ink- 15 °C, greater than or equal to the Tg-ink- 5 °C, greater than or equal to the Tg-ink + 5 °C, greater than or equal to the Tg-ink + 10 °C, or greater than or equal to the Tg-ink + 15 °C. - drawing a glass core, or an optical waveguide, from a glass preform at a rate greater than 30 m/s, or greater than 40 m/s, the drawing further comprising: - applying a first layer of coating material to surround the glass core or optical waveguide, which first coating material is formed from a curable polymer; curing the first layer of coating material to form a primary cured layer - applying a second layer of coating material to surround the cured first layer of coating material which second coating material is formed from a curable polymer; - curing the second layer of coating material to form a cured secondary layer - applying a polymeric ink coating material comprising a colouring agent to surround the second layer of cured coating material and - curing the ink coating material to form a cured ink coating layer, the cured ink coating layer having a glass transition temperature (T g-ink) greater than or equal to 55 °C, wherein the cured secondary layer has a higher Young's modulus than the cured primary layer and wherein the cured ink coating layer has a Young's modulus that is higher than that of the primary or absorbing layer, and, - wherein the temperature of the secondary coating layer (TSec) entering the ink layer applicator is less than or equal to the Tg-ink+ 20 °C, and wherein the temperature of the secondary coating layer (Tsec) entering the ink layer applicator is greater than or equal to the Tg-ink- 25 °C, greater than or equal to the Tg-ink- 15 °C, greater than or equal to the Tg-ink- 5 °C, greater than or equal to the Tg-ink + 5 °C, greater than or equal to the Tg-ink + 10 °C, or greater than or equal to the Tg-ink + 15 °C.