FIRST AND FOREMOST: YOU OWN ALL THE RIGHTS TO YOUR IMAGES AND WE WILL NEVER SHARE THEM WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT.
How do I use your drop-off box?
Our lab drop-off box is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, we also have two other drop off locations at Asch Building & Cargo Vintage. Simply place your order online HERE fill out one of our order envelopes, located at the drop-off boxes, place your film or disposable camera in the envelope (make sure it’s sealed so nothing falls out!) and drop the envelope with all your film in the box.
Here’s a breakdown of our order form:
How do I pay?
Payment is done online HERE or in person Wedn & Thurs 3-6pm, Fri 12-7pm, and Sat 11am-4pm at FLATS Lab.
NOTE: If are dropping of multiple rolls at a time you only need ONE order number. If you have variations in your order you can simply add each variation to cart and return to the ordering system to add any other variation to cart.
What is your turnaround time?
Our regular turnaround time is 5 – 9 business days from the point your order as been received at the lab, excluding the days that we are closed. We develop color and black & white film during business hours, Tuesday – Friday, and E6 slide film on Wednesdays only.
Please DO NOT message us asking for updates about your order. It's difficult for us to give individual updates on orders and often slows us down. We will let you know the minute that your film is scanned and sent and your negatives are ready for pickup.
**** Be aware that we will hold negatives for TWO weeks. Following the two weeks your negatives will be DISPOSED of and we are no longer responsible for anything pertaining to your order(s).
That being said please review and download all your scans as soon as they are received. Please also come pick up your negatives and any other items between us and you before the end of two weeks for we will not claim responsibility for what happens to these things after that amount of time. Following two weeks you are still more than welcome to ask about your order and we will help you to the best of our abilities.
We also would like you to know that because of the large amounts of photos we’re processing daily, we aren’t able to review many of the images we scan for you. We ask that you take it upon yourself to review and download your scans and let us know if you have any issues with your orders ASAP.
Okay, but what if I really need my film ASAP?
We offer rushes on a case-by-case basis. There is a 3-roll maximum for developing & scanning rush orders, and a 5-roll maximum for rush developing only orders. Since we only develop during business hours, the best time to drop off rush orders is early in the week. We try our best to accommodate emergencies, so give us a call ahead of time and we will do our best to work with you. Latest available time for rush drop offs is 3pm Fridays - the order must be dropped off and paid for by then.
Please note we may not be able to accommodate rushes that require different kinds of chemical processes.
What film types do you develop?
We currently develop 35mm, 110, 120, and 4x5 film types. We are able to process C41 (color), Black & White, and E6 (slide film). You can check the label on the side of your roll to confirm the type of film you’re using. For a full list of all our services, visit our lab page. And, Yes, we develop disposable cameras - those are 35mm.
What is a scan? What is the difference between the scans?
Scans are digital copies of your photographs. We use multiple scanning methods for our 35mm rolls that each offer a unique look and resolution to your film. Visit this page to read descriptions of each, so you can find the scanning method that’s right for you.
What is a negative? Do I want that back?
A negative is what we call the fully-developed physical film itself. Once a roll of film has gone through the chemical developing process, it becomes a negative. Negatives are what we scan in order to digitize your film, or what we send off to have your film printed. They look like this:
You don’t have to keep your negatives, but it’s always a good idea when you’re shooting film. That way, you can always have a physical backup of what you shot.
NOTE: If you request to have your negatives back, and you haven’t picked them up after two weeks, we will properly dispose of them. Please let us know if you need more time to pick up your negatives. We’re happy to accommodate you when we can, but communication is key.
Do you do prints?
We outsource printing to a third party and we don’t send you proofs beforehand, so you get what you get. Prints are $27 a roll, plus $10 for shipping, if you’d like digital copies in addition to your prints, they’re an additional $12. You can order prints HERE, price is per roll of film.
How do I receive my images?
We use the file transfer service WeTransfer to send your images to the email you provide when you fill out your order form. Once you receive the email, you can download the files to your phone, computer, or other device. You have one week from the send date before the link expires.
We will keep the files on our computer for one week after we send the files. After that, your photos are deleted to make space on our servers.
Please let us know if you need more time to download your files. We’re happy to accommodate you when we can, but communication is key.
If you’d prefer to receive your scans on a flash drive, please provide us with one when you drop off your order. We do not offer CDs, DVDs, or other physical media to deliver your digital files.
Do you develop disposable cameras?
Yes! Disposable cameras generally have 35mm film inside of them, so we are more than able to develop those for you. Simply check the disposable camera box under the Developing and Scanning section on the order form.
While you’re at it, why not buy another one from us and come pick it up?
My roll came out blank! Do I still need to pay for it?
Yes. One of the gambles with film is that you won’t know if it came out until after it’s developed. Since it takes just as much time and chemicals to develop a blank roll as it does a full one, we still have to charge you for the time and resources that we spent. If you paid for scanning, we can offer you credit toward scanning your next roll of film.
If you are worried about camera malfunctions prior to drop off we strongly encourage you to select developing only. Once film is developed we will happily help you select the digitizing option that is best for you.
Do you offer bulk discounts on large orders?
No. We use the same amount of chemicals and effort on your film whether you bring it in all at once or over the course of two months, so we are unable to offer bulk discounts.
Can I get TIFF Files?
Of course! Please select TIFF scan in the check out process HERE. Because of the size of the TIFF file format, we charge an additional $2 per roll.
Due to the file size, we ask that you please bring a USB for TIFF orders of 5(+) rolls
Do you develop expired film?
Yes. We charge an additional $5 per roll to develop expired film. Please also be aware that expired film is unpredictable; it’s likely that there will be a variance in the color and the grain of the film, plus a loss in light sensitivity, so it’s hard to say whether your images will come out. We do suggest you pay for developing only at time of drop off. We can notify you once they are ready weather or not there are scannable images on them.
NOTE: There will be no scanning refunds or credits for blank expired rolls.
My camera says I get 27 – 36 pictures per roll of film. Why do I have less than that many in the rolls that you developed?
A roll of film is just that– a roll. As you take pictures, the roll winds inside the camera to expose a new length of roll, thereby giving you a picture. While a typical roll of film has roughly enough length to give you a roughly average amount of exposures (photos), you aren’t guaranteed to get that exact amount. Sometimes you’ll end up with a few fewer pictures and sometimes you’ll end up with more. There are many reasons for this variation, including incorrect loading, under- or over-exposing an image, or roll forwarding issues. Again, part of the fun of shooting on film is being unsure of the end result, so enjoy the gamble!
How long do I have to pick up online film orders or other FLATS’ merch?
All online purchases of new film and other merchandise will be held for up to 1 month. After which FLATS’ will no longer take responsibility for the order and purchaser will loose all eligibility for refund or store credit.
NOTE: FILM IS NONREFUNDABLE. To be eligible for a return on other FLATS’ merchandise, your item must be in the same condition that you received it.
Can I mail my film to you?
Of course! Please complete your order online HERE. Once order is complete you can mail your film to 2402 Montrose Blvd., Unit 2, Houston, TX 77006. Please include your name & order number along with your film.
Sensitive material
We appreciate a heads up for any sensitive material you may have on your film. We are a sex positive organization, but we will dispose of any inappropriate images of perceived minors. We also reserve the right to report if your images contain any harmful conduct done to yourself or onto others.