Frequently asked questions

We develop, scan and print 35mm, 110, 120/220, APS (Advantix) and large format film in C-41, black and white, E-6 and ECN-2. ECN-2 motion picture film is developed at Kodak’s cinema lab. We also process single-use disposable cameras, and we can scan negatives that are already developed.

Order online on our film services page, or walk in to our Maplewood, NJ or East Village, NYC location during business hours. Bring your film in and we’ll set up the order with you.

Yes. Buy a gift card online and redeem it at checkout.

Yes. In your cart, pick that you are shipping to the lab and add a prepaid label: choose USPS, UPS or FedEx, priced for what’s in your order. We email you the label as a PDF after checkout. Already ordered without one? You can get a label on its own.

High-energy CT scanners can fog film. When you fly, ask for a hand check wherever you can, especially for higher-ISO film and film that isn’t developed yet.

We ship returns with USPS, to US and Canadian addresses only, and email you tracking once it’s generated.

Yes. You can mail film to us from anywhere. We only ship orders back to addresses in the US and Canada.

If a shipment is lost or damaged in transit, we’ll guide you through the carrier claim and help however we can. Email [email protected] with your order number. If the package goes missing for good, we’ll refund the order or give you store credit for it.

Yes, Fast Pass. Fast Pass moves your order to the front of the line. The exact timing for your film and process shows on the order page when you pick it. Fast Pass isn’t available for E-6 or ECN-2.

Fast Pass covers the delivery of digital scans only. It doesn’t guarantee faster return shipping for physical items, or faster scan delivery of contact sheets.

For a custom project, schedule a call or email [email protected] with your order number and deadline, and we’ll confirm what’s possible.

We email you when your package is checked in, and again when your order ships back, with USPS tracking. If you have an account, the same updates are on your order page anytime. For the lab’s current turnaround times, see status.gelatinlabs.com.

Four scan sizes, named as on the order page: Casual (Basic JPEG), Pro (Basic TIFF), ProPlus (Archive TIFF) and SuperPro (Archive TIFF). Scans arrive by email download link, and they’re in your account too. See the order page for current specs and timing.

Yes. On 35mm, The Fringe GelForm includes part of the border and The Spacely GelForm includes all of it. On 120, every GelForm includes a slight border. We also offer contact sheet scans that show the full frame with borders for every film type.

Shot on a half-frame camera? Tick “My film was shot with a half-frame camera” on the order page when you order.

Yes. Choose Scan Only and add the details (format, cut or uncut) to your order.

Emailed download links stay active for at least 30 days from the day you receive them. With an account, you can also download your scans from your order page anytime. We still recommend saving a copy of your own.

C-41 color, black and white and E-6 slide are developed in our own labs, on machines we service ourselves. ECN-2 motion picture film is developed at Kodak’s cinema lab.

We scan on the industrial Noritsu line we started with in 2017, now alongside Fujifilm Frontier scanners: the Noritsu HS-1800, Fujifilm Frontier SP-3000 and Fujifilm SP-500. We pair them with GelForm, our color-managed workflow, for consistent output.

Negatives are only sleeved when you order PrintFile sleeving. Otherwise they’re dust-sealed in jars, uncut. The jar protects the full roll. Contact sheet orders include PrintFile sleeving.

We hold negatives for local pickup at our NJ and NYC locations for ten business days after your order is completed. After that, they may be recycled. Need more time? Email [email protected] and we’ll work with you.

By default we print one of each selected image. Want duplicates? Add extra copies when you order.

Mark the camera or roll with a “P”, or note your print preferences in the order. We’ll match prints to your selections.

Premium photo media, for consistent color and longevity, in the finishes the order page offers:

• Luster: in between glossy and matte, vibrant without too much reflection
• Glossy: a photo album mainstay, images pop and shine
• Matte: a subdued texture, flatter to the touch

Pick a white border (a slight white gap around the image) or edge-to-edge (full bleed, some cropping may occur).

We process C-41 color negative, traditional black and white, E-6 slide and ECN-2, in 35mm, 120/220, APS (Advantix), 110 and large format. ECN-2 motion picture film is developed at Kodak’s cinema lab.

Yes. Results can vary and aren’t guaranteed with expired stocks.

Yes. Select push or pull when you order (C-41, E-6 or black and white), and write the matching instructions on your rolls.

Yes. We hand-load E-6 and use rotary processing with six-bath chemistry for consistent results.

Yes. 120 and 220 are supported for develop, scan and print.

Yes. Select APS as your film type. Results may vary because of the format’s age.

No. We don’t accept souped film of any kind.

Your account keeps all your orders in one place. You can download scans from each order, read lab notes from our technicians, check blank roll IDs and credits, and track every order. It’s free and takes a minute.

The Roll Card is our loyalty program. Every roll developed now earns a stamp, online and at our Maplewood and East Village counters. Every 13th roll is free.

Read the full Roll Card terms.

Once your scans are ready, log in, open the order and download them right from the order page. No need to dig through email.

Our technicians leave a note on your order when there’s something worth knowing, like exposure observations, development details or anything that stood out during processing. You’ll find lab notes inside your order on your account page.

We check every roll. If one comes back completely blank, you’ll see a Blank Roll ID on your order so you know exactly which roll it was, and we automatically credit the scan cost plus any add-ons for that roll back to you. Development isn’t refundable, because the chemistry still runs. You can see all of it in your account.

Questions? Email [email protected] with your order number.

Yes. Create an account with the same email you used at checkout and your earlier guest orders connect to it automatically. Nothing is lost.

Yes. Orders from a walk-in visit at our NYC or NJ location show up in your account too, as long as the email on the order matches your account email.

General questions: [email protected]
Order updates: [email protected]

Prefer a quick call? Schedule 10 minutes with us. You can also walk in at NJ or visit the NYC store during open hours.

If something looks off in your scans or prints, reply to your delivery email or write to [email protected]. We’ll review it and rescan when appropriate, until you’re satisfied.

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