Photographic film has played a central role in the recording of microscope images since the invention of photography in the 1830s. Photography rapidly creates an accurate record of the microscopic specimen and avoids the subjectivity that was inherent in written and artistic descriptions of visual observations. Both instant and conventional films offer high resolution, the ability to record a large tonal gradation, and a stable media for long-term data storage.

Newer techniques, such as thermal, ink jet, and laser prints, have grown in popularity because they offer ease-of-use or lower per-image cost. Despite recent improvements, none of these techniques offer the resolution or stability of a photograph. In general, people have been forced to sacrifice quality and permanence in order to achieve the lower per-image cost and ease-of-use promised by alternative recording systems.