35mm Slide Scanning Service
Waco, Texas
Mail-in scanning for mounted 35mm slides — Kodachrome, Ektachrome, Fujichrome, and other color and black-and-white formats. JPEG + TIFF output. Originals returned.
What to expect
Each mounted slide is scanned individually at 3,000 DPI, producing approximately 4,000 × 3,000 pixels per frame — high enough to make quality 8×10 and 11×14 prints.
Every scan gets software-based color correction and dust reduction. Kodachrome slides with their characteristic reds and warm tones are processed to preserve that look, not flatten it into a generic color profile.
Output: one JPEG (compressed, suitable for sharing and printing) and one TIFF (lossless archival copy) per slide. Files are named and organized by tray or carousel number, or by the labels on your boxes if they exist.
Standard turnaround: 4–6 weeks. Rush: 2 weeks (+50%).
What we handle
We scan standard 2×2 inch mounted 35mm slides in cardboard, plastic, or glass mounts. Common stocks include:
- Kodachrome 25, 64, 200
- Ektachrome (various speeds)
- Fujichrome / Velvia / Provia
- Agfachrome and other European stocks
- Black-and-white reversal (orthochromatic and panchromatic)
- Store-brand and generic color slide films
We also handle slides in Kodak Carousel trays — just send the whole tray. We do not disassemble glass-mounted slides unless they're deteriorating.
We don't handle: APS slides, 127 format, stereo slides, or slides larger than 2×2.
How to prepare your slides for shipping
- → Keep slides in carousels or trays if you have them — loose slides in envelopes risk damage and make organizing harder
- → If slides are loose, use plastic slide pages (20 per page) or a rigid container
- → Label trays and boxes if order matters — we'll preserve that organization in the output file names
- → Moldy or hazy slides: send them anyway, but note it in your intake form
- → Ship via USPS Priority Mail with tracking. We recommend insurance for large collections.
Questions about slide scanning
Will Kodachrome slides scan well? The colors look different from other film.
Yes. Kodachrome has a distinct color profile — those warm reds and dense shadows are part of the character. We process Kodachrome to preserve its look rather than forcing it into a neutral color cast. If you want a specific interpretation (warmer, cooler, high contrast), note it on your intake form.
My slides have been in a hot attic for decades. Can they still be scanned?
Often yes. Heat over time causes color shift and fading, which software correction can partially recover. Slides that are still physically intact — not stuck to their mounts, not cracked, not disintegrating — will usually scan to something usable. Send us a condition note and we'll assess on intake.
Can I get the files organized by date or event?
We organize by the physical container — tray number, carousel number, or labeled box. If your slides are already organized and labeled by date or event, we'll preserve that structure in the file names. We don't do metadata tagging or research the dates of unlabeled slides.
Is 3,000 DPI enough to print large?
At 3,000 DPI from a 35mm frame, you get approximately 4,000×3,000 pixels — enough to print a quality 8×10 or 11×14 at standard print resolution (300 DPI). For larger prints, the output will still work but may show grain or softness depending on the original film stock. If you need drum-scan quality for gallery prints, this service isn't the right fit.
How many slides fit in each pricing tier?
Shoebox: up to 500 slides. Bankers Box: up to 2,000. Estate Box: up to 5,000. Overage is $0.15 per slide. A standard Kodak Carousel holds 80 slides; a full box of 5 carousels is 400 slides, which fits comfortably in the Shoebox tier. Fill out the intake form if you're not sure which tier to pick — we'll recommend one.