1. Two third the length of the glass slide should be covered by the film. Film should be narrower than the slide for better examination of side edges.
2. A homogeneous spread should be displayed with a gradual transition from thick to thin areas and with no deformities.
3. It should end in a slightly curved feathered end.
4. The film should be thin to allow proper fixation during the staining procedure. Thick areas appear dark green or gray or are washed off during staining.
5. It should contain at least 10 low – power fields in which 50% of the erythrocytes do not overlap. Single erythrocytes should have a well preserved central pale area.
