Film Developing Turnaround Times
Film developing
turnaround times.
Waiting to see what’s on your rolls? Here’s how long it takes, when we start counting, and what happens along the way.
Colour C41
Black & White
Counted from the day your film reaches our LAB.
Specialist scans take longer. Please allow extra time for postage.
Updated 10 November 2026
1. Your film arrives
We’ll email to confirm we have it. Turnaround starts from the day it reaches us.
2. Into the LAB
We develop your rolls and scan them using the options you’ve selected.
3. Photos in your inbox
Your download link arrives by email. Negatives and prints follow separately by post.
Count the working days.
Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays and announced LAB closures. The time your film spends in the post is separate.
arrives
day
day
day
expected
counted
counted
expected
expected
Some scans take
a little longer.
XL and sprocket scans need more individual attention, so our standard turnaround doesn’t apply.
Each frame is scanned and adjusted individually.
Longer turnaround applies. Orders of more than 5 rolls can take up to 14 working days.
A date in mind?
Let’s talk.
Express is available on eligible LAB orders. Choose it when placing your order, or get in touch before posting if you have a particular deadline.
Tell us what film you’re sending, your scanning options and when you need the files. We’ll help you check what’s possible.
Ask us about ExpressYour scans and parcel arrive separately.
We’ll email your FromSmash link when your scans are ready. Check spam or junk if you’re expecting it.
Download within 30 days and keep a backup.
If you selected return postage, we’ll send your physical order once it’s ready. Allow extra time for delivery.
A scan email doesn’t mean your parcel has been dispatched.
A few more
useful details.
The answers to the questions we hear most while your film is with us.
Why can the turnaround estimate change?
Some weeks bring more film through the door than others. We update our estimate to reflect the LAB’s workload. If your film is already here, keep counting from its original arrival date. A change on the website doesn’t restart your order.
My tracking says delivered. Where’s my LAB email?
Your courier’s notification and our confirmation email may arrive at different times. We’ll email once we’ve matched your parcel to your order. Your turnaround still starts from the day the film reaches us, rather than the day you placed the order.
I ordered fresh film as well. When does that ship?
We normally send shop items together with your completed LAB order. If you need them sooner, contact us to arrange a separate shipment. Additional postage applies.
Waiting longer than expected?
Check your arrival date, allow for working days and specialist scans, and have a quick look in spam or junk. If you’re past the expected turnaround, email your name and order number and we’ll check.