Top 10 Film Labs in the US
These are the adored and trusted film labs for working film photographers. Not sponsored, not written by a film stock company, simply shared by artists who are passionate about using film to document our world and the people in it.
Every film lab you see in this post is either used and recommended by our film photography club members, or is preceded by an irrefutable industry reputation.
Indie Film Lab
Montgomery, AL. Recommended by 15 members including Bridget Schaefer.
Founded by a film photography community, Indie Film Lab is a trusted favorite — even for our co-founder’s images. They develop, scan and print film, and you can always email them directly at orders@indiefilmlab.com to check in on processing times for deadlines you’re on. They work with photographers from all over the world and offer occasional wholesale pricing on new rolls.
Available for 35mm, 120 and 220 film in color and B/W
Average rating of 4.5 stars on Google
Frontier and Noritsu scanning available
Simple online ordering system
2. Richard Photo Lab
Santa Clarita, CA. Recommended by 13 members including Caitlin Taylor.
Located in California, Richard is used (and loved) by so many of our peers in film. You can process, scan and print directly with them. They pride themselves on perfecting your film and minimizing the processing time by getting it right in the lab with precise chemical processes. And with their tailored scanning, you can hone in on your style and perfect the skin tones and colors. See real examples on this photographer’s Instagram. According to their website, they’re trusted by icons like Jose Villa and KT Merry.
Available for color and B/W film
Average rating of 4.7 stars on Google
50 years of experience
Easy online process to start your mail-in order with a tutorial for packaging film
Custom scanning services to get your exact style
A B&W example of Richard Photo Lab’s work. Image by Caitlin Taylor.
A Color example of Richard Photo Labs developing and scanning. Lensed by Radostina Boseva
3. Gelatin Labs
Maplewood, NJ. Recommended by 5 members including Reed Schick.
A family-run film photography lab, Gelatin Labs has a few key features like their automated status system for peace of mind and photographer-tested profiles to choose from so you get something custom without wasting time or money on film rolls. Borders are available and their default policy is uncut film.
Available for 35mm, medium format, disposable, 110 and APS (color and B/W)
Custom profiles or “Gelforms” to tailor contrast and temperature
Average rating of 4.9 stars on Google
Choice of scanner preference (Frontier or Noritsu)
Rush orders are an option!
Founded in 2018
Simple online ordering with add-on mailing labs
“Honestly Gelatin is my favorite for one particular reason, which is that they have what they call “Gelforms” which allows you to decide how you want your negatives scanned. I use what is called “The Flat Earth” scan because they scan it as flat as possible, giving you all the information like the film scan version of RAW. I then use lightroom curves to pull out the excess information and have so much control over the color and tones. I feel like I have learned so much about color and editing and my eyes have gotten way better by editing in this way.”
Image by Reed Shick. Taken on Tri-x 400 and scanned and developed by Gelatin Labs.
Image by Reed Shick. Taken on Tri-x 400 and scanned and developed by Gelatin Labs.
4. Picture House / The Small Dark Room
New York, NY. Recommended by Anni Graham and 3 other members.
The Picture House processes and scans on-site at their New York location and one of our educators recently shared with us that she uses them too (Anni Graham)! They boast a huge client list with everyone from Google to Gucci. Their high-resolution scans and re-touching services make it an easy yes.
Work with color and B/W film (Super 8 not available)
Simple mail-in form
Will keep negatives or uncollected film for 6 months
25+ years of experience
5. The Find Lab
Provo, Orem and Salt Lake City, UT. Recommended by 19 members including Steph Hennessy and Elis Llinares.
With an in-depth ordering process to help you customize everything from the scanner to the size, push/pull, exposure preferences, contrast preferences, and more, The Find Lab makes custom scans refreshingly easy. Note that we recommend their custom scans, and not the auto scans for professional film development.
Available for color, B/W and large format film
Average rating of 4.9 stars on Google
Custom scans available
Choice of scanner preference (Frontier or Noritsu)
Straightforward online ordering before you mail your film
6. PhotoVision
Salem, OR. Recommended by 11 members including Katie Lewis.
Offering development, scanning and printing services, Photovision’s signature scans are intended for professional photographers. They’ve been in business for three generations, and it shows.
Available for 35mm, 35 half frames, 120 and 220 in color and B/W
Average rating of 4.7 stars on Google
Frontier and Noritsu scanning available
Online development form very similar to The Find Lab
Video tutorial for how to send your film
In business since 1968
A Color example of PhotoVision develop and scan. Lensed by Katie Lewis.
A B&W example of PhotoVision develop and scan. Lensed by Katie Lewis.
7. Nice Film Club
Brooklyn, NY. Recomended by 7 members including Paula B. Photo.
A newer film lab in the US that is not to be overlooked, many of our members already trust Nice Film Club for their professional images. Here, scans are corrected frame by frame to give you a high-end, individually reviewed look for every image. Their tailored processes leave no stone unturned —blending the precision of an official lab with love and care for the art of film. They treat your rolls like their own and offer an archival process for easy storing of your negatives. Unique to their location, they offer memberships with development credits and discounts so you can save on film costs if you know you’ll be repeatedly using their services.
Available for 35mm, 120 and disposable camera film
High-resolutions between 2 to 4k with 16-bit TIFF files too
Average rating of 4.8 stars on Google
Rush orders are an option!
Founded in 2020
8. Photoworks SF
San Francisco, CA. Recommended by 4 members including Angie Shockness.
From chemical film processing to digital scans and framed prints, Photoworks SF takes care of it all. They also offer retouching and restoration services. If you’re local, you can book an appointment to dive deeper into their process.
9. Rewind Film Lab
Orange, CA. Recommended by 3 members including Lindsey Billings.
Trusted by west coast photographers and those throughout the US, you’ll often see Rewind working with professional hybrid photographers. They offer custom Photoshop edits with your own unique profile to give you a beautiful scan straight from the lab. You can also request cut negatives, prints and XL files.
Available for 35mm, 120 and 220 in color and B/W (no E-6 film unless you process it as C-41)
Custom profiles available
Only Frontier scanners
TIFF files available
Average rating of 5 stars on Google
70+ years of “collective” experience
Slightly outdated PDF order form
10. State Film Lab
Louisville, KY. Recommended by 2 members including Sarah Bennett.
State Film Lab is a lesser known gem that works with usual film stocks and rare film too. They took two years to perfect their process before going live, and now have worked with photographers all over the U.S. for over 10 years. They send updates once your film is received at their lab, and they offer proof sheets with all of the borders for a unique keepsake.
Available for 35mm, 120, 220, E-6 and rare film like APS, 110 and 126 in color and B/W
Average rating of 4.8 stars on Google
Standard to super high resolution available
Rush services are an option!
Open since 2014
Bonus: Memphis Film Lab
Euclid, OH.
The goal at Memphis Film Lab is to offer affordable, high-quality film processing. This can result in longer turnaround times, but they are typically known for consistent and reliable film development. They’re family-owned and really loved by their local clients with a recent uptick in volume from photographers across the U.S.
Work with color and B/W film (not 110, disk film, 8mm, 16mm, or ECN-II film)
Average rating of 4.9 stars on Google
Simple add-to-cart online ordering system through their shop
Other recommended film photography labs:
“My favorite labs are: ArtHouse Film Lab, Strap Film Lab, and NorthEast Photographic. With either, consult with them on your needs for your scans, whether you want them punchy, relatively flat, or what your preference is. ArtHouse offers a variety of specialty dev/scan. NE Photographic is for your bnw dev needs along with large format.”
James Green, Imperfect Studios
A few more to check out: Bleeker, Boutique Film Lab , Last Good Film Lab
Tips for mailing in your film:
Follow the procedures shared by your film lab. Many of the labs we’ve talked about actually have a video tutorial detailing exactly how to submit orders, package and label your film.
Always ship with a tracking service! This is usually your responsibility so make sure that you request paid tracking when your ship your film. This provides such peace of mind and makes it easier to track down lost packages. Plus, if your lab doesn’t provide arrival notifications, you can check to see if your film made it to the lab!
Try UPS or USPS
Consider including an AirTag, but make sure your lab is okay with this — they can usually send it back with negatives and any prints.
Get the full list by state with a Gather Around Film membership
We have a running list of all of the US and international film photography labs available with our film club membership. You can see addresses for mail-in requests and comments from working film artists. Add your notes too and join the conversation. See you soon!
Film Photography Club
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