Using Tape as a Barrier

Using tape as a barrier is a really simple trick that could be used to prevent specimens from breaking in half when you are making slides. Tape barriers are very easy to implement, just place pieces of tape on either side of the microscope slide such that the edges of the coverslip would touch both pieces of tape. This tape elevates the coverslip slightly so that you can avoid crushing the specimen while trying to secure the coverslip to the slide. If the specimen is still too thick, you could just add more layers of tape. You should also know that tape barriers do not work very well with wet mounts, as the tape creates more gaps between the coverslip and the slide.