A simple and highly reliable processing technique for ridge waveguide InGaAs/GaAs SQW lasers is proposed. Comparison is made with other more conventional processing sequences and measurements show that the characteristics of the lasers obtained by this simple method are at least as good as and sometimes better than those made by the other processing sequences. It is shown that the simplicity of the process guarantees a high yield. The high performances of these lasers are further optimised by the application of optical coatings.