Mailing your film in
How the prepaid label works
Four steps, and you never queue at a counter to buy postage. Your link stays good for 14 days; the label itself for 30.
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Add a label
Buy a label with your developing, or on its own any time. Pick the package size that fits what you're sending.
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Tell us where from
We email you a private link right after checkout. Enter the address you're shipping from and choose USPS or UPS.
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Print and attach
Your label arrives on screen and by email, as an 8.5×11 sheet and a 4×6. Tape it flat on the outside of the package.
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Drop it off
Hand it in at any location for the carrier you picked. Keep your tracking number until your scans arrive.
Which size do I need?
Each label covers one package. Sending more than one box? You will need a label for each.
Mailer
$9.99- Weight
- Up to 12 oz
- Size
- 12.5 × 9.5 × 1 in
Small Box
$12.99- Weight
- Up to 2 lb
- Size
- 11 × 8.5 × 5.5 in
Medium Box
$16.99- Weight
- Up to 4 lb
- Size
- 14 × 12 × 3.5 in
Large Box
$29.99- Weight
- Up to 8 lb
- Size
- 18 × 14 × 12 in
Between sizes? Size up. A package that comes in over the weight its label covers picks up a carrier adjustment fee after delivery, and that costs more than the next label up. See full label details
Packing your film
Film is small, light and irreplaceable. A few minutes of packing is the cheapest insurance there is.
Do this
- Seal your rolls in a Ziploc so moisture can't reach them.
- Use a padded mailer or a small box with room for a little cushioning.
- Write your name and order number on a slip of paper and put it inside.
- Send disposable cameras exactly as they are. We'll take the film out here.
- Tape the label flat, fully visible, on the outside.
- Keep your tracking number until your scans land.
Not this
- Don't use a paper envelope with stamps. They tear, and film falls out.
- Don't let rolls rattle loose in an oversized box.
- Don't send film without an order. It sits on hold until we can invoice you.
- Don't leave a package in a hot car or mailbox; heat fogs film.
- Don't fold, tape over, or shrink the shipping label to fit.
- Don't send film you want back urgently without tracking.
What happens when it arrives
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We check it in
Every package is opened and logged the day it lands, or the next morning if it arrives late. Your rolls are matched to your order number and enter the queue.
You'll get an email confirming we have it.
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Into the lab
Your film is developed and scanned, then every frame is checked before it goes out. Current turnaround is posted in the banner at the top of the page.
You'll get email updates as it moves through, so you always know where it is.
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Scans and negatives
We email a Google Drive link to your scans. They stay in that folder for 1 year from the day we deliver them, so download and back them up before then.
Negatives come back if you chose a return option at checkout. Otherwise they wait for you at the shop for 30 days from the ready-for-pickup email.
Shipping from outside the US
Our prepaid labels are US domestic only, so you'll need to arrange your own carrier. We do receive international film. A few things make it go smoothly:
- Declare the contents as unprocessed photographic film for processing and return, not as merchandise or a gift.
- Keep the declared value low and accurate. Film has little monetary value; over-declaring invites customs charges that delay your package.
- Ask for hand inspection where you can, and avoid services that X-ray at high intensity.
- Include your name and order number inside, same as any other package.
- Return shipping for negatives is charged separately and costs more internationally. Factor that in before choosing to have them sent back.
Not sure, or shipping something unusual? Talk to us before you send it and we'll help you get it right the first time.
How does the prepaid shipping label work?
Add a label to your order and pick the package size that matches what you're sending. Right after checkout we email you a private link: enter the address you're shipping from, choose USPS or UPS, and your label is generated on the spot. We email you a copy too, so you don't have to print it straight away.
You get two formats: an 8.5×11 sheet with a cut line for a home printer, and a bare 4×6 for a thermal label printer. Print at Actual size rather than "Fit to page", or the barcode may not scan. Your link stays good for 14 days.
One label covers one package, and they're US domestic only. If you're between sizes, size up: packages that come in over the declared weight can pick up a carrier adjustment fee.
Does that label also cover my negatives coming back?
No — those are two separate trips. The prepaid label covers your film coming to us. Return shipping for your negatives is chosen separately at checkout. If you select Discard Negatives or plan to collect them in person, there's nothing extra to pay.
Do I need a printer for the label?
Right now, yes. If you don't have one, choose UPS: any UPS Store can print the label from the email we send, usually for a small fee. Going with USPS? You'll need to print before you go; their counters and kiosks can't print our labels yet.
Print at Actual size, not "Fit to page", or the barcode may not scan.
I never got my label email, or my link expired
Check your spam folder first. Still nothing? Reach us through the contact page, email hello@coastalfilmlab.com, or call during opening hours and we'll reissue it.
Can I buy a label after I've placed my order?
Yes. Order one on its own whenever you like and the same link comes by email. It doesn't have to be bought alongside your developing.
Can I put more than one order in the same box?
Yes, and it saves you shipping. Include a slip for each order number in the package so nothing gets checked in against the wrong one. Sending a friend's film along with yours works the same way — just label whose is whose.
What if my package weighs more than the label covers?
Carriers weigh everything. If yours comes in over, they bill us an adjustment fee after delivery and we'll invoice you for it. Sizing up when you're between sizes is almost always cheaper than the fee.
Can I get a refund on a label I didn't use?
Yes. Labels expire 30 days after they're generated. If yours goes unused we cancel it, the carrier refunds us, and we refund you — nothing for you to chase.
What if my film gets lost in the mail?
It's rare, but it happens. If your film never reaches us we refund your order in full: developing, scanning and the label.
What we can't replace is the film itself or the images on it; no insurance covers exposed film. It's the real risk of mailing film, and it's why tracking and careful packing matter.
How do I get my negatives back?
Choose a return shipping option at checkout. That's separate from any label you buy to send film to us. Two different trips, billed separately.
Selecting Discard Negatives or planning to collect in person costs nothing extra. Uncollected negatives are held for 30 days from the ready-for-pickup email.
How do I package my film to make sure its safe?
Pop your rolls into a sealed Ziploc bag to protect from moisture just in case. If it’s hot out, choose faster shipping so your film is not sitting in a warm truck too long. Skip flimsy paper envelopes and stamps since they tear easily. Use a padded mailer or small box with a proper shipping label instead.
What about disposable cameras? How do I ship them?
You can send these in just as they are. No need to remove the film, we will take care of that for you in the lab.
I sent my film without placing an order... :(
Avoid this if you can! If it already happened, hopefully you included some info in your package. We will email you an invoice and your order will stay on hold until it is paid, which means a longer wait for your photos. If you forgot to include your name or order number, give us a call as soon as possible so we know what to look for.
How long does it take to get my pictures?
Our current turnaround time is posted in the banner at the top of the page. We also offer 3-Day and 1-Day rush options to put your film at the front of the line: add one when placing your order, or call us to add it to an existing order.