Mail-in Film Developing from San Diego

No matter where you live, ship your photographic film to Gelatin Labs for developing, scanning, and printing. We can process 35mm, 120 (medium format), disposable cameras, and sheet film, as well as the most popular film formats and sizes. Our simplified film-developing service is particularly useful for individuals who do not have access to a local film lab in San Diego, and enjoy receiving their scans digitally. Place your order on our website, pack up your film, and then we handle the rest. If you opt to receive your negatives and prints back, we’ll ship them out to you after your scans have been sent. We provide various services like mail-in film development, scanning and printing.

How To Send Your Film Developing Order

Start by configuring your order. Select the services you need for the film you have. Add each configuration to the cart.

Select your Return Shipping options to receive your negatives back and check out. You’ll receive an email with instructions on shipping.

Write your order number down and include it in a package with your film. Use ample packing material or padding to keep your film safe. Ship to the address on our Contact page.

Await your film’s arrival at the lab, and look out for emails that will keep you updated on order status, scans, and shipping. Thanks for using Gelatin Labs!

Best Way To Develop Film: In Gelatin Labs We Trust

Go back to the pre-digital days, when photography was solely a physical process, from start to finish. You’d purchase your film at a brick-and-mortar shop, load up your camera, and document life without the modern distractions our digital devices bombard us with. A simpler and more magical experience.

Today, we can make a digital scan from your film photos, so you can bridge the gap from analog to digital.

 

Film photography has become a breath of fresh air for artists, professionals, and hobbyists around the world, something everyone should experience in their photographic journey. At some point along the way, you’ll have some rolls ready for developing, and it’s best to leave the process up to a professional film lab like Gelatin. When using Gelatin Labs, you can mail in your film from San Diego, safely rely on our turnaround, attention to detail, customer service, and quality of processing. Every roll is treated with care and attention.

About Gelatin Labs

Gelatin Labs is the best mail-in film developing service to ship to from San Diego, known for its top-notch customer service, quality processing, and love for all things film photography. 

We are family-owned and photographer-operated, offering online film development services since 2018. Our community of film photographers is growing every day, with thousands of enthusiasts, professionals and the in-between sending film to Gelatin Labs from across the United States and Canada.

5/5
Love that the scans are flat and enormous. I received my scans in less than 24 hours. So happy to have a local lab for all my film processing needs.
Melissa Efrus
5/5
Love that the scans are flat and enormous. I received my scans in less than 24 hours. So happy to have a local lab for all my film processing needs.
Melissa Efrus
5/5
I was very impressed with the scans... and the turnaround time... Was well worth it and this will be my go to lab from now on!
Parker Rowberry
5/5
I was very impressed with the scans... and the turnaround time... Was well worth it and this will be my go to lab from now on!
Parker Rowberry
5/5
A very helpful and approachable lab and my scans were uploaded within 24 hours of them receiving my film!
Edward Philip De Asis
5/5
A very helpful and approachable lab and my scans were uploaded within 24 hours of them receiving my film!
Edward Philip De Asis
5/5
Super impressed with the quality of my film scans. Would highly recommend Gelatin Labs for those who want high-quality scans that offer flexibility for editing.
Nelson Nabua
5/5
Super impressed with the quality of my film scans. Would highly recommend Gelatin Labs for those who want high-quality scans that offer flexibility for editing.
Nelson Nabua
5/5
I'm blown away by Gelatin Labs for their professionalism, and young fresh take on a photography Lab. They make everything so easy! Their scans are to die for! Thank you 🙂
Megan Oxley
5/5
I'm blown away by Gelatin Labs for their professionalism, and young fresh take on a photography Lab. They make everything so easy! Their scans are to die for! Thank you 🙂
Megan Oxley

Frequently Asked Questions

Before sending film via our mail order film developing service from San Diego, there are certain things you should know. To learn more, refer to the FAQ section below.

Gelatin Labs develops:

35mm, 120, Advantix, and other sizes by request.

Color C-41, E-6, ECN-2 and Black and White film.

For most C-41 color-negative films, we process your film in an all-new, state-of-the-art Colenta roller transport machine. With the most pristine color accuracy and archival wash stages, your film is in the best of hands.

For expired film and disposables, we use a well-maintained Noritsu V-30 film processor.

Black and White is hand-developed using Ilford chemistry.

E-6 Color Positive slide film is developed using our handy Jobo ATL1000.

ECN-2 film is developed by the fine folks at Kodak Film Lab Atlanta, and scanned by Gelatin.

We use DNP commercial printers to make our amazing dye-sublimation prints.

Send film in a bubble mailer or a secure box via your trusted mail carrier. Use First Class Mail with tracking, or a faster service. We also have a shipping label available to add to your order.

*DO NOT* use postage stamps, envelopes, or any flimsy package that will easily be tampered with or come undone en route to the lab. Use extra tape where needed to ensure security.

Thanks for using Gelatin Labs! We’re excited to receive your film!

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Drop Off Locations

The Map Building

Maplewood, NJ

Hours: 24/7/365

515 Valley St.
Maplewood, NJ 07040

CSM Art & Frame

Chatham, NJ

Hours: 24/7/365

295 Main Street
(Carriage House),
Chatham Township,
NJ 07928

Café Kitsuné, Boerum Hill

Brooklyn, NY

Hours: Monday-Sunday: 8am-8pm

112 Bond St
Brooklyn, NY 11217

How do I drop off my film?

1. Place your film order on gelatinlabs.com – select ‘Return Shipping’ at checkout’ to get negatives returned (and prints, if you ordered them).

2. Envelopes for your order are provided over the counter. Write your name and order number, and load film rolls inside.

3. Hand over your envelope to a Knickerbocker team member.

Your film will head to Gelatin Labs every Monday and Thursday!

How do I drop-off my film?

1. Place your film order on gelatinlabs.com – select ‘Ship Negatives’ to get negatives returned (and prints, if you ordered them).

2. Our box is located near the exit of the coffee shop. Take an envelope (or your own ziploc), bag up your film, and write your order number. Your film will head to Gelatin Labs!

How do I drop-off my film?

1. At the front entrance, buzz in to be let inside.

2. The Gelatin drop-off box is directly across from the front desk. Place your order via the QR code on the box. Select ‘Ship Negatives’ to get negatives (and prints, if you ordered them) returned.

3. Take an envelope (or your own ziploc) from the front desk, bag up your film, and write your order number. Your film will head to Gelatin Labs!

Turnarounds

At Gelatin Labs, quality is our main priority for every order. Our team keeps film moving through the lab as efficiently as possible, but estimates are not guaranteed. 

Current FLEXIBLE TURNAROUND Estimates:

Order size and options chosen affect turnaround time.

Small orders (3 rolls or less) with fewer options (up to Pro Level scans) take less time. Larger orders (4 rolls or more) with more options (including SuperPro scans) will take longer.

For same to next business day, guaranteed timelines, use our Fast Pass ⚡️ service.

Print With Gelatin Labs

Fill out the form below and our team will get back to you via email with a link for you to upload your images.

It’s Time To Get Printing!

Whatever type of work you create, the Gelatin Labs Print Upload will render beautiful, archival prints that will enable you to bring your art off of your screen and into the realm of physical existence. The process is simple: select your print size, upload your images, and pick from three distinct finishes!

8x10 inch

Body text for more information. Body text for more information.

4x6 inch

Body text for more information. Body text for more information.

Start Your Film Order

Welcome to Gelatin Labs, your trusted partner for all your film photography needs! We recognize that each photographer has their unique preferences, which is why we are excited to introduce two remarkable options to cater to your individual needs: Simplified and Customized.

Simplified

DEVELOP + SCAN • PRINT

  • Streamlined options for quick checkout
  • Choose the look & feel of your images
  • Less options for an uncomplicated experience

Customized

DEVELOP • SCAN • PRINT

  • Expanded customization for film types, options, services
  • Upgrade to SuperPro hi-res scans
  • More options for the more advanced user

Contact Sheet

The Map Building • MAPLEWOOD, NJ

How do I drop-off my film?

1. After placing your order, you’ll receive a confirmation number.

2. Our dropbox is located to the left of the main entrance to the Map Building. Put film in a securely sealed bag or box, or use one of our envelopes provided if necessary. Write the order number on the bag.

3. Drop film in top section of box, and we’ll handle the rest!

If you’d like your negatives back, make sure to select ‘Ship Negatives’ at checkout.

How do I drop-off my film?

  1. When placing your order, select “Return Shipping” if you’d like your negatives back, or ordered prints. Pickup is not available from this location.
  2. Include your order number with your film in a securely sealed bag.
  3. Drop in our dedicated dropbox, along the path from CSM Art & Frame to the Chatham, NJ train station.
  4. After being emailed your scans, or notified that your order is ready for pickup.

How do I drop-off my film?

1. When placing your order, select “Return Shipping” if you’d like your negatives back, or ordered prints. Pickup is not available from this location.

2. Include your order number with your film in a securely sealed bag.

3. Drop in our dedicated dropbox, located inside the café, available during posted hours. Ask for assistance if you need help locating it.