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Prints & Enlargements

Local Film Drop Off at The Darkroom!

June 11, 2025
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At The Darkroom, based in San Clemente, California, we’ve been proudly serving film photographers across the United States as one of the most trusted mail-in film labs for decades. With nearly 50 years of experience, we specialize in developing and scanning almost every film format; 35mm, 120, 220, 620, 110, 126, APS, sheet film, and single-use disposable cameras. Whether it’s C-41 color negative, true black and white, or E-6 slide film, we process it all with exceptional quality and care.

While most of our customers use our convenient mail-in service with free inbound shipping, we now offer something just for our local community: a secure film drop box right outside our lab in San Clemente. It’s quick, easy, and if you select “Local Drop-Off” at checkout all you need to do is drop it off and we’ll ship your order back to you free of charge.

How It Works:

If you’ve already placed your order, just write your name and order number on the provided envelope, drop your film in, and you’re good to go.

If you haven’t ordered yet, no problem:

  • Scan the QR code at the drop box, visit TheDarkroom.com, or open our mobile app.
  • Place your order and choose “Local Drop-Off.”
  • Write your name and order number on the provided envelope with the Sharpie, place your film inside, and drop it in.

We check the film drop box twice daily during the week (10 AM & 6 PM), and on weekends at 10 AM & 2:30 PM. Once your film is received, we’ll send you an email when your order goes into production, when your scans upload, and when we ship your order back. Your negatives and prints (if ordered) will be mailed back to you – free of charge.

Film Drop Location:

The Darkroom
944 Calle Amanecer, Suite A
San Clemente, CA 92673 USA

No need to knock or enter the building – just drop and go!

We’re not a storefront – we’re a working lab focused on fast, high-quality development. The film drop lets us stay productive while offering a simple and convenient solution for local customers or those just passing through. And with 2–3 day turnaround for standard 35mm & 120, you’ll get your scans fast.

Not Local? No Problem.

We provide the best value round trip shipping of any mail-in lab. We provide free inbound shipping options with our postage paid film mailer or our printable postage paid shipping label both of which have a tracking number. You can easily make your order at TheDarkroom.com or with our mobile app – you’ll cover development cost and return shipping which is a flat rate $6.95 and covers as much film as you send in! Our Film Mailers and mobile app make film developing easy as you can order from home or on the go!