How to mail 120 film

If you’re paranoid and you know it, raise your hand.

*raises hand*

I’m always a bit uneasy shipping fragile things, and anyone who’s received a shredded letter that looks like Freddy Kruger delivered your mail knows what’s up. Now take those trust issues and multiply them by 10 if you’re planning to send a delicate roll of 120 film through the mail to the development lab.

That’s why I came up with what (I think) is the safest way to mail rolls of 120.

What you’ll need:

  • A roll of exposed 120 (duh)
  • Two empty 35mm containers
  • Scissors
  • Tape

The idea is super simple but effective. We’re going to create a hard shell around the roll of 120 using the two empty 35mm containers. All we need to do is cut a slit in the side of one of the containers, drop the 120 roll on one side, and push the split container inside the non-split container. BOOM. Done.

To make sure everything doesn’t come apart I’ll wrap some tape around the seam and then it’s good to go. Bubble mailers are my preference, but I’d even feel okay shipping it in a non-padded envelope if I had to.

If you guys have a different method, I’d love to hear it!


Handmade prints and experimental films:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AnalogImages

Amazon affiliate links:

Kodak Portra 160 (120 Film, 5 rolls)
Tmax 400 (120 Film, 1 Roll)
Tmax 400 (120 Film, 5 Rolls)

Kodak Portra 35mm Film (5 pack)
Tmax 400 (35mm, 5 Rolls)

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