Doing Your Part

We do everything we can to keep orders moving, but customers can make a big difference in turnaround time by sending film in a way that is easy to identify, check in, and process correctly. A few extra minutes of preparation before mailing your film can prevent delays for your order and help keep the entire lab queue running more smoothly.

Include your order information inside the package

Please include a printed receipt with your film whenever possible. If you do not have a printer, neatly write the following information on a piece of paper and place it inside the package:

Name
Email address
Order number
Film developing option selected
Scanning option selected
Whether prints, PhotoFlux, or any other add-ons were ordered

Your email address alone does not count as your name. We need enough information to quickly match your film to your order without stopping to search through the website system. Looking up missing order details takes time, and multiple incomplete packages in one day can add real delays to the entire lab.

Protect your film during shipping

Please place your film inside a watertight zip-top bag before putting it in the mailer or box. This helps protect the film if the package gets wet during shipping.

Please also make sure your package is properly sealed with tape and write your order number on the outside of the package.

We strongly recommend using a shipping method with tracking. Do not mail film using only stamps. Tracking protects both of us by showing when the package was delivered.

Choose the correct service for older film

Film that was shot before 2015 should be ordered using our expired film developing option, not regular fresh-film C-41 developing. Older film often needs different handling, different expectations, and sometimes a completely different rescue workflow.

If you are not sure what type of film you have, choose the closest option available and include a note. More information is always better than no information.

Label unusual film clearly

Most recently purchased 35mm film does not need any special labeling. However, film such as 120, 220, 127, 620, hand-rolled film, respooled film, bulk-loaded film, movie film, or anything old/unusual should be clearly labeled.

We cannot look at undeveloped film without risking damage. If film is not labeled and we cannot identify it, we may have to treat it as unknown film and process it using our best professional judgment. Unknown film is always higher risk, and results cannot be guaranteed if the film was not identified correctly before processing.

Avoid unnecessary status checks

We understand that your photos are important, and we know waiting can be difficult. However, frequent status checks slow the lab down, especially when film has already moved out of receiving and into the active processing queue.

You are welcome to confirm delivery when your package first arrives. After that, please wait until your estimated turnaround time has passed before requesting an update. This gives us more time to develop, scan, restore, pack, and ship orders instead of searching through pending boxes.

Be careful when removing film from your camera

A surprising amount of film damage happens before the film ever reaches us. If your camera requires manual rewind, make sure you press the rewind release button before rewinding the film. Trying to rewind without releasing the film, or continuing to force the advance lever after the roll has reached the end, can rip, tear, or buckle the film.

Severely damaged film may be difficult or impossible to develop or scan. Taking a moment to rewind properly can save the images.