An upcoated optical fiber includes an optical fiber having a ultra-violet (UV) curable upcoating and a slip layer disposed between the optical fiber and the upcoating. The upcoating is mechanically strippable from the optical fiber and may be colored for identification of the optical fiber. In one embodiment, the slip layer and upcoating both have predetermined glass transition temperatures that are within about 15.degree. C. of each other for improving mechanical characteristics. The slip layer may be essentially the same color as the upcoating for identification of the optical fiber after the upcoating is removed or it may be uncolored. In suitable embodiments, the slip layer may include a micronized poly-tetra-fluoro-ethylene (PTFE), a silicone, and/or a dispersing agent for enhancing the strip performance of the upcoating over a range of temperatures.