The present application provides methods and apparatus for processing ceramic fibers for the manufacture of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs). One method may include providing at least one frame including a planar array of unidirectional ceramic fibers extending across a void thereof. The method may further include at least one of depositing a coating on the ceramic fibers of the at least one frame via a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process and impregnating the ceramic fibers with a slurry including a ceramic matrix precursor composition to form at least one CMC prepreg. In some embodiments, the ceramic fibers of the planar array may include a coating, and the method may include impregnating the coated ceramic fibers with a slurry including a ceramic matrix precursor composition to form at least one CMC prepreg.