Frequently asked
questions.

Standard turnaround is 4–6 weeks from the day your package arrives at our Waco facility. Rush orders are 2 weeks from receipt, at +50% of the base price.

We email you when your package arrives, when scanning begins, and when your download link is ready. If anything unusual comes up (item count discrepancy, condition issues), we contact you before proceeding.

We scan at different resolutions depending on media type:

• 35mm slides and negatives: 3,000 DPI, producing approximately 4,000 × 3,000 pixels per frame
• Photo prints (4×6 and larger): 600 DPI
• Photo prints smaller than 4×6: 1,200 DPI

These are entry-tier rates suited for print reproduction, sharing, and long-term storage. They are not drum-scan or museum-archive specifications. If you need higher resolution for specific professional or archival purposes, we'll be upfront that this service may not meet that bar.

Every scan produces two files per frame:

• JPEG — color-corrected, suitable for sharing, printing, and web use
• TIFF — lossless archival file, best for long-term storage and future reprocessing

Files are organized by roll or tray and named sequentially. You receive them via a cloud download link (active for 30 days). Physical media add-ons (USB, DVD, mailed hard drive) are also available.

Ship via USPS Priority Mail — it includes tracking and up to $100 insurance. For valuable or large collections, we recommend purchasing additional insurance through USPS or a third party.

Packing tips:

• Slides: use original Kodak Carousel trays or similar rigid containers — don't put loose slides in envelopes
• Negatives: keep in original sleeves or archival negative pages, not loose in a bag
• Prints: interleave with tissue paper or keep in albums; pad the package so prints can't shift
• Double-boxing fragile items is worth it

We'll confirm the shipping address when we accept your order. Always fill out the intake form first — that way we're expecting your package. Full shipping details are on How It Works.

Send it anyway, but tell us about it in the condition notes on your intake form. We can scan mold-damaged and hazy film in most cases. Color-correction software can improve fading and color shift; it can't restore film that is physically disintegrating.

We note the condition of everything on intake. If something is too far gone to produce a usable scan, we'll tell you before attempting it rather than scanning and billing you for garbage output.

Moldy film is handled with appropriate precautions. We clean equipment between orders.

In the unlikely event of loss or damage caused by us, our maximum liability is the cost of the service you paid — not the replacement or market value of the originals, and not sentimental value.

We photograph the condition of your packaging when it arrives, so there is a documented record distinguishing transit damage from handling damage on our end. Your originals stay in our facility from intake to return shipment — we do not outsource scanning.

If you're concerned about liability, purchase shipping insurance for the value you want covered in transit.

No. We do not scan Super 8, Regular 8mm, or 16mm film. Movie film requires a film chain or frame-by-frame capture setup that is a different category of equipment and expertise from still-film scanning.

If you need movie film digitized, look for a national mail-in service that specializes in home movie conversion — several reputable ones exist. We're happy to point you toward one if you email us.

No. We do slides, negatives, and photo prints only. For VHS, Hi8, MiniDV, or audio cassette digitization, a local electronics or media transfer shop is usually the most practical option. Big-box retailers with photo departments sometimes offer these services as well.

We photograph your package on arrival, both outside and inside. Your originals are logged on intake and stay in our Waco facility for the duration of the order. We do not share storage space with third parties, and we do not outsource scanning.

We handle film and prints with clean equipment and keep food and drink away from the scanning area. We don't claim perfection, but we do claim care.

Originals are returned to you via USPS Priority Mail with tracking after scanning is complete. Return shipping is included in the base price. For nonprofits, return shipping is free (Priority Mail, not basic ground).

If you want upgraded or insured return shipping, let us know on your intake form or in the order notes. Physical media add-ons (USB, DVD, hard drive) ship with your originals.

Yes. If you request it in the condition notes or special instructions on your intake form, we'll scan 2–3 frames from a representative roll or tray and send those files for your review before proceeding with the full order.

There's no extra charge for a sample, but it adds a few days to your turnaround. This is especially useful if your collection has condition issues or you're unsure what to expect from old or unknown film stock.

Verified 501(c)(3) organizations get 30% off all tiers and free USPS Priority return shipping (included, not an add-on).

To verify, email a copy of your IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter to [email protected]. We apply the discount before invoicing. You only need to verify once per organization.

Use the nonprofit intake link to flag your order. Full details on the nonprofits page.