Synthetic polymer latex is widely used in paints, paper coatings, adhesives, and a growing number of other water-borne coatings. All these applications require the latex particles adhere to one another and weld by interdiffusion. The processes of film formation by latex have been studied intensively during the last several decades. The three major stages of the processes are identified: consolidation, particle deformation and coalescence. In contrast, the deformation and adhesion of latex particles on pigment are poorly documented because the needed measurements are difficult to perform at particle level by conventional techniques2. Recently, the ordering and adhesion of styrene-butyl acrylate latex particles on model inorganic surfaces have been studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). In this work, the deformation and adhesion of latex particles of styrene-butadiene on smooth substrates are examined by low voltage field emission scanning electron microscopy (LVFESEM) with contrast enhancement by staining.