Identifying Your Archival Microfilm, Differentiating Film, Fiche, and Roll Types

Throughout the years a variety of different standards of microform have been used for archival document storage. Many institutions may have one, or more different types of microform in their archives. In this blog post we will go over the variety of different microform types used and help you differentiate between them all.

Microfiche and microfilm were once the best way for businesses to store and archive documents but in our increasingly digital age, they are becoming obsolete in favor of more reliable, efficient, and cost-effective digital solutions. For this reason, lots of businesses are turning to microfiche and microfilm conversion services to digitize those documents.

Roll Film (16mm Microfilm)

Roll film comes in standard widths of 16mm and 35mm and is either 100′ or 215′ in length. It is typically 4 or 5 mills thick and often reels are either open, or placed within cartridge or cassette format.

Roll Film (35mm Microfilm)

Roll film comes in standard widths of 16mm and 35mm and is either 100′ or 215′ in length. It is typically 4 or 5 millimeter-thick and often reels are either open, or placed within cartridge or cassette format.

ANSI Cartridge

ANSI cartridges are essentially 16mm roll film in a square, hard plastic case (a cartridge). Other than their cartridge format, ANSI cartridges are identical to normal 16mm roll film in terms of what types of images they’re typically used to store.

Jacket Microfiche

Sleeves that hold strips of 16mm or 35mm rollfilm, or a combination of both, stored in a clear Mylar jacket. Jackets are typically 4 inches x 6 inches and can hold up to five strips of film, typically in a horizontal orientation. A title strip area across the top of the jacket will usually have the microfiche’s title and indicate its contents.

COM Fiche (Computer Output Microfilm)

105 mm x 148 mm sheets which have individual frames arranged in a permanent grid pattern and are generated by computer processes, hence the name. Each sheet will have an area at its top with an eye readable title describing its contents. COM fiche are usually of a higher reduction ratio (typically 42x reduction in size of what it would look like in hard copy). A single sheet of this fiche can hold up to 300 frames.

Aperture Card

Aperture Cards are similar to the very old IBM-punch cards, but have a hole (aperture) into which a single 35mm microfilm frame has been mounted. Aperture cards have traditionally been used in engineering applications.

Have Microfilm?
TierFive Can Help

No matter what your existing document management system, or if you don’t have a document management system at all, TierFive can help. TierFive Imaging can help you digitize your existing backfile microform archives, including all kinds of microform, microfilm, microfiche, and everything in-between.

We can help you save time & space, access all your files securely, locally, or through the cloud, and help enable your remote workplace by putting all of your organization’s files at your fingertips with a simple online quote or call to +1 (888) 547-2267 for a free consultation and learn about how we can help you with your documents.