As society advances to desire smaller, faster, and cheaper electronics along with stronger materials, the search for novel materials continues. Thin films made from single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) offer a possible solution to many of the challenges that materials scientists currently face. Here, a methodology for studying the deformation of thin SWCNT films is investigated during their processing for use in applications such as photovoltaic devices. A variety of methods for manipulating and visualizing these thin films are discussed, along with the setbacks encountered along the path to improving process characterization.