Guide: mailing film to the lab
Finished some rolls?
Time to get them to us so we can work our magic!
These are our top tips for posting your film to us and making sure they are protected well in transit.
Step 1.
Frist, you’ll need to fill out our online order form.
We’re the first lab in Australia to offer this system and we think it’s pretty slick!
This lets us know who you are, what film is coming our way and what your scanning preferences are.
Once you’ve submitted your form, there’s no need to print anything out, your order will automatically be matched up when your film arrives.
As soon as you complete your form you’ll receive an email confirmation with the details of your order.
Step 2.
Next, you’ll need a box or a padded envelope to put your film in. You can either use your own or just recycle one of our boxes from a recent film order.
You can also purchase bubble mailers or small boxes from any Australia Post outlet.
If you’re using your own box, be sure to add some padding so your rolls aren’t bouncing around too much in transit.
We recommend old newspaper for this. It’s free (if you still read the newspaper) and we can recycle it.
We also recommend the use of a small zip lock bag to further protect your precious rolls in transit.
Tape up your box or seal your mailer and you’re good to go!
Step 3.
Now your film is packaged and protected, the last step is actually posting it to us!
Our mailing address for film is:
IKIGAI LAB
PO BOX 971
WILLIAMSTOWN, VIC 3016
Be sure to write your name somewhere either on the package or inside the package. If you don’t, we won’t know who it belongs to.
We recommend writing it on the back as a return address, but you can just include a note in the box if you prefer.
There’s no need to write your order submission ID or anything else. All we need is your name to match it up with your order form.
We recommend either Parcel Post or Express Post to send your film as these are both tracked services that allow you to keep an eye on your film during its journey (be sure to keep your tracking number safe!)
Once we receive your package we’ll send you an SMS notification with the turnaround time and get working on your film.
That’s it! You’ll be receiving great scans in no time.
Here’s our final checklist to summarise
Order form completed ✔
Film packaged ✔
Our address on the front and your name on the back ✔
Tracking number saved ✔
If you have any questions, feel free to read the FAQ below or:
FAQ
+ Can I use Sendle or a courier like Uber or Sherpa?
Yes! If you have an urgent order or just prefer these services, there's no problem in using them.
They will, however, need a street address instead of a PO box.
Our street address is:
Ikigai Lab 2/62 Albemarle Street Williamstown North VIC, 3016
If you're sending film through Australia Post, it's best to send it to our PO box instead. We have a good relationship with our local post office and they store all of our film in special tubs in the air conditioning!
+ Can I use postage stamps?
You can, but you cannot send film through the post with a $1 postage stamp like a regular letter. Film is too thick for Australia Post's standard letter service and sorting machines.
Letters aren't tracked either, so it's best to use Parcel Post or Express Post to send your film to us
+ Whoops, I've accidentally sent my film to your street address instead of the PO box. Will it arrive?
Yes! It will still arrive but let us know so we can keep an eye on it.
+ Should I save my tracking number?
Absolutely. Take a photo of your tracking number/receipt and store it somewhere safe until your film has arrived.
+ Whoops, I forgot to write my name on the package or do an order form before sending my film. What now?
Shoot us a message and we'll identify it for you.
+ Should I wrap my film in tinfoil or tape it so it doesn't unfurl?
It's best to not tinfoil or cellotape your film as this just makes it harder for us to prepare your film for development.
If you're worried about your 120 springing open like a jack-in-the-box, we recommend using a rubber band.
+ Should I include the plastic film canisters in my package?
You don't have to, but we currently recycle Kodak (clear plastic with grey lid) canisters for our Ikigai Double-X bulk loading. If you're not using them, feel free to send them in and we can re-use them.
