How to Ship Film to Your Lab (Without Stress or Scratched Negatives)
Now with summer travel season upon us, I want to share with you how to ship film to your lab to ensure it gets there safely. If you’ve ever stared at your finished rolls of film wondering, Now what?—this one’s for you.
Shipping your film to a lab shouldn’t feel like sending your creative heart into the void. With just a little prep (and maybe some washi tape), you can make sure your film arrives safely and you get the most out of your scans when they come back.
Here’s how I ship my 120 film—and how you can, too.
Step 1: Secure your rolls (yes, washi tape counts)
With Kodak films especially, each roll gets a snug little wrap with washi tape to keep it from unraveling in transit. It’s cute, but also essential—loose rolls = light leaks or scratched film. Bonus: use a different tape design for each stock so you can visually ID them later. Trust me, it’s a game changer when you’re batching.
Step 2: Add your lab order form + notes
I always include my lab’s order form (check their site if you need to print one!) and slip it into a Ziploc bag along with the film. This bag keeps everything dry and together—no loose rolls swimming around in a box.
Before I ship, I jot down my notes: film stock, ISO rating, any exposure adjustments (push/pull), and which camera I used. That info helps me later when I review scans or need to troubleshoot.
Step 3: Package it up and track it
I usually ship via USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate or UPS depending on how fast I want it to arrive. Either way—always get a tracking number. Peace of mind is worth the extra 50 cents. I check that tracking to make sure it lands safely and gets scanned in by the lab.
And yes, I still peek at that “Received” email like it’s a love note.
Final Tips:
- Label your film if you’re sending different stocks together.
- Avoid padded envelopes—go for a sturdy small box or cardboard mailer.
- Shipping early in the week avoids weekend delays.
- Write your return address inside the package too—just in case.
? Pro Tip: I also log my settings in Notion or a dedicated notebook—especially for personal projects or test rolls. It’s an easy habit that makes you a better shooter over time (and a happier one when your scans come back exactly how you envisioned).
Ready to level up your film game?
If you’re just getting started or want help getting consistent, beautiful results with your film images, you’ll love my Metering Made Easy course. It walks you through exactly how to get your exposure right before you ever pop that roll in the mail. (course will open to waitlist again very soon!)
Kim Hildebrand
Photographer & Online Educator since 2007
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