Your Memories. Safe + Local.
Negative Scanning
Hidden on a strip of negatives may be photographs your family hasn't seen in decades. We professionally scan your original negatives right here in our Vernon Hills facility, creating digital files that are easy to preserve, print and share.
Your original negatives are returned when your project is complete.
Professionally Scanned
High-Quality Digital Captures
Multiple scan-resolution options give you flexibility for preserving, printing and sharing your photographs.
Carefully Handled
Prepared Before Scanning
Negatives receive air cleaning and are checked for proper orientation and emulsion before they are scanned.
Stays Local
Scanned in Vernon Hills
Your negatives remain inside our Vernon Hills facility throughout the digitizing process.
What Kind of Negatives Do You Have?
Negative Formats We Scan
Not sure what type of negatives you've found? The examples below can help you identify the format.
35mm
The most common consumer negative format and our standard negative-scanning format.
120 / 220
Larger medium-format negatives available in several frame shapes and sizes.
126
Square-format negatives commonly associated with cartridge-style cameras.
110
A very small negative format commonly used in compact cartridge cameras.
Still not sure what you have?
Bring your negatives in and we'll help identify the format and recommend the appropriate scanning options for your project.
From Negative to Digital
How Negative Scanning Works
Each frame is carefully prepared and captured individually.
We Prepare
Negatives receive air cleaning before scanning. In rare cases, an anti-static cleaning cloth may be used to remove fingerprints.
We Scan
Each negative is checked for proper orientation and emulsion direction before being individually captured at your selected resolution.
You Preserve
Your digital files can be saved, shared and used to create new photographic prints while your original negatives are returned.
A Note About Dust, Scratches & Damage
Lint, embedded dust, scratches and other physical imperfections are common on older or sleeved negatives. Air cleaning can remove loose debris, but imperfections that remain after cleaning are not automatically removed as part of the standard scanning process.
Choose Your Scan Resolution
How Much Resolution Do You Need?
Choose the level of digital capture that best fits how you plan to preserve, print or work with your photographs.
Standard Scan
A strong choice for everyday digital archiving, viewing, sharing and photographic printing.
High Resolution
Provides additional captured information for projects that may require larger prints or more flexibility for cropping.
Maximum Resolution
Our highest-resolution option for archival projects where maximum digital capture is desired.
Negative Scanning Pricing
Pricing by Quantity & Resolution
Each individual negative frame is counted as one scan. Larger projects receive lower per-frame pricing.
35mm Negatives
| Quantity | 3200 DPI | 6400 DPI | 12800 DPI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–20 | $2.00 | $3.00 | $4.00 |
| 21–100 | $1.00 | $1.50 | $3.00 |
| 101–250 | $0.80 | $1.30 | $2.50 |
| 250 or More | $0.70 | $1.20 | $2.50 |
110, 120 & 126 Negatives
These formats are considered non-standard and are priced separately.
| Quantity | 3200 DPI | 6400 DPI | 12800 DPI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–20 | $2.50 | $3.50 | $4.50 |
| 21–100 | $1.50 | $2.50 | $3.50 |
| 101–250 | $1.25 | $1.85 | $2.85 |
| 250 or More | $0.95 | $1.60 | $2.60 |
Before You Bring Them In
A Little Organization Goes a Long Way
Preparing your negatives ahead of time helps us preserve the order and organization that matters to you.
Keep Them in Order
Bring your negatives in the order you'd like them scanned, along with any helpful notes. There is no additional charge for maintaining the sequence you provide.
Mark What to Skip
Sleeved negatives are normally scanned as an entire strip. Use removable Post-it flags to identify frames you do not want scanned rather than writing directly on the sleeve.
Keep Adhesives Off the Film
Never place tape, labels, stickers or other adhesive directly onto either side of a negative. Adhesive can damage the film and may appear in the finished scan.
Don't Worry About Orientation
We check every negative for proper orientation and emulsion direction, so you do not need to arrange them facing a particular direction before bringing them in.
Your Photos. Your Way.
Choose How You Receive Your Scans
Digital Download
Receive your finished files through a WeTransfer download link. Orders must be paid in full before the link is sent.
USB Flash Drive
External Hard Drive
Plus $1 per GB of digital content transferred to the drive.
Professional Memory Preservation
The Pictures Are Still There. Let's Bring Them Back.
The Print Refinery has been professionally preserving memories locally since 2012.
Your negatives are scanned inside our Vernon Hills facility and your original film is returned when your project is complete.
For more information, please contact us.
Contact Us