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Q: Do you automatically send me prints of my pictures? What about if I ordered a mailer/prints bundle?
A: No, we do not automatically send prints. We only send (and you only pay for) the prints that you order after viewing your pictures in your personal account.
We have recently introduced film mailer/print bundles — whereby you receive one prepaid film mailer (with all the services mentioned above), plus print credits. Please note that this only credits your account with prints, and that prints are not sent to you automatically — you must still order them and pay any associated shipping charges. The upside of this is that you do not have to order any prints from that film roll you don't want; and you can use the mailer/print bundle print credits with any pictures in your account, whether or not they were from that film roll.
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Q: Can I download my pictures from Shutterfly?
A: Currently, we do not have high-resolution downloading available. However, we do have an Archive DVD service, in which you can order a DVD with high-resolution copies of your pictures.
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Q: What does C-41 mean?
A: C-41 is a term used to reference the Kodak developing process for most color negative film. It is synonymous with CN-16 (Fuji) and AP-70 (Agfa). Every roll of C-41 compatible film will be labeled "process C-41" somewhere on the canister.
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Q: How can I tell if my APS film is ready for processing?
A: On one end of each APS cassette, there is a tab and four holes. There is also a white indicator that appears under one of those holes to indicate the status of the roll. If the indicator appears in the fourth position, i.e., the hole that is square and marked with the number "4", it has already been processed. Another sign that the roll has already been processed is if the tab has been pushed in.
Please note that Shutterfly cannot accept film that has already been processed, nor can we guarantee the return of film that we do not process. Please examine your APS film carefully before sending it to Shutterfly.
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Q: How long does it take before my pictures are added to my account?
A: If you are ordering film mailers, we usually send them out the next business day after you order. The US Postal Service usually delivers them to you within a few days.
If you already have a mailer and are sending in film: film mailers generally arrive 3 to 5 days after you mail them (but may take longer depending on the US Postal System). Once we receive them, they are developed and your pictures are posted online usually within 24 hours. At that time, you will automatically receive an email letting you know that your pictures are ready to be viewed online in your Shutterfly account.
Your negatives will then be returned to you by USPS mail.
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Q: Do I have to order all the pictures submitted as film rolls to Shutterfly? What about if I ordered a mailer/prints bundle?
A: No, you do not! This is an advantage that our service has over traditional photographic processing services — you can select only which pictures you want to have printed and sent to you, or friends and family.
If you have ordered a mailer/prints bundle, you do not have to order any prints from that film roll you don't want; and you can use the mailer/print bundle print credits with any pictures in your account, whether or not they were from that film roll.
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Q: If I submit film rolls, do I get my negatives back?
A: Yes. Shutterfly will send your negatives back to you separately from your print order. These are sent out usually within 24 hours of when they are received and the pictures are placed in your account. (The negatives are sent by first-class mail to the address you used to request your prepaid mailers.)
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Q: How do I match the film I sent Shutterfly to the negatives that are returned to me and to the albums in my account?
A: On the return envelope is a bar code, which will match the name of the album on your account. The bar code will read, for example, B0780551B C1339407C and the resulting album's name in your Shutterfly account will be Film:1339407-1 (25)
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Q: What is the quality of Shutterfly's photo processing?
A: Film processing and digitization is provided by a Kodak laboratory. Many would agree that our prints are as good (or better) than those you would get back from a picture lab. We scan your film at a high resolution to ensure that your prints will come out looking as good as possible. For best results, we suggest using only premium type films. Results from low-cost film or single-use ("disposable") cameras may vary.
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Q: What size prints can I order from the film rolls submitted?
A: You can select from any of our sizes: 4×6, 5×7, 8×10 or wallet sized prints. You can also use your pictures to create cards and Snapbooks.
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Q: Is my privacy guaranteed during film processing?
A: Your privacy is always guaranteed at Shutterfly. Your pictures are placed in a secure account that only you can access. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.
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Q: Do I have to be a Shutterfly member to use the film scanning service?
A: Yes, you must be a Shutterfly member in order to use the 35mm film developing services. (This is so that there will be an account to post your pictures to.) Membership, of course, is free.
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Q: Can Shutterfly members outside the United States use the film scanning service?
A: No. Shutterfly members outside the United States cannot submit film for processing and scanning to Shutterfly. However, Shutterfly members submitting film to be processed and scanned from the United States may still order prints and have them mailed to international addresses.
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Q: At what resolution is the film scanned?
A: Film is scanned at a resolution of 1536 x 1024 pixels (35mm) and 1536 x 862 (APS "ADVANTIX®"). This resolution is sufficient for printing pictures up to 8 x 10 inches.
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Q: What is the cost of the Shutterfly film service? Does it include prints?
Our basic film scanning service costs $3.99 per roll. For this fee, you will receive one prepaid mailer which can be used to send in one roll of film. Upon receiving your film in the mailer, we will process and scan your film, add your pictures to your Shutterfly account, return your negatives, and notify you by email that your pictures are ready for viewing. You can then order prints at your leisure. Please note that the cost of prints is not included in the $3.99 processing fee.
On the film mailer request page, you can also order film mailer/print bundles — where you receive one prepaid film mailer (with all the services mentioned above), plus print credits. Please note that this only credits your account with prints, and that prints are not sent to you automatically — you must still order them and pay any associated shipping charges.
There are two film mailer bundles available: one for $8.39, which includes a film mailer and 20 4×6 prints (a $9.79 value); and one for $9.99, which includes a film mailer and 30 4×6 prints (a $12.69 value).
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Q: How do I match the film I sent Shutterfly to the negatives that are returned to me?
A: On the return envelope is a bar code, which will match the name of the album on your account. The bar code will read for example B0780551B C1339407C and the resulting albums name on the Shutterfly albums will be Film:1339407-1 (25)
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Q: How do I know which pictures in my Shutterfly account are from a digital camera, and which are scanned from film?
A: When your film is scanned and added, it is put in an album with "Film: " and the Mailer ID in the title. Also, when you view the pictures in an album, any pictures scanned from film are by default given a numbered title such as "Frame_01.jpg", "Frame_02.jpg", "Frame_03.jpg", etc.
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Q: Can I still use mailers that I requested before you started charging for the service?
A: Yes, we will accept any mailers you have received from Shutterfly. Please remember that you must include the labels that came inside the mailer, and that each mailer is linked to your account, and your account only.
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Q: How does Shutterfly print APS (ADVANTIX®) film? Can Shutterfly print panoramic-size prints?
A: Shutterfly does indeed process and print APS (ADVANTIX®) film. However we are unable to offer prints in either the HDTV or panoramic aspect ratio formats at this time. If you submit APS (ADVANTIX®) film to us with pictures taken in these formats, we will print them at a standard aspect ratio for the film print size you order.
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Q: Will the new security equipment being used by the postal service damage my film?
A: Along with many representatives from the photographic industry, Shutterfly is currently working with the US Postal Service to ensure that any film or prints sent through the mail will not be damaged due to new security equipment or procedures. We have been assured that the post office will take whatever steps necessary to guarantee the continued, safe shipment of photographic products. Should you have any additional concerns about the security measures being used in your particular region, we recommend you check with your local post office.
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