A method for stripping insulation from a region, a so-called window, of a flat cable, a so-called FFC, by means of a laser. The laser used to form the window, preferably a CO.sub.2 laser, operates only in the edge region of the window, and in a subsequent step the remaining insulation in the interior of the window is removed. This remaining insulation is preferably removed by means of a type of doctor blade or a brush.