Start with the intended use
Tell the lab whether the images are for phone sharing, a family archive, a portfolio or a particular print project. Ask which scan option suits that purpose and request the actual pixel dimensions. Labels such as standard, large and premium are meaningful only within the lab’s own menu.
If you need a particular print size, discuss it with the lab or printer rather than treating a file-size label as a guarantee. File dimensions, the image itself and the intended viewing conditions all affect the decision. Comparing only the number of megabytes can obscure differences in compression and file format.
Ask what the scan service includes
Clarify the file format, colour handling, cropping and any included adjustments. Ask whether the lab offers a choice of scanning workflow and whether you can see representative examples. Ikigai Film Lab describes scanning choices alongside its processing services; confirm the current options for your film format.
Explain preferences in concrete terms, such as wanting visible frame edges or avoiding an automatic crop that might remove part of the image. Check whether those requests are offered and whether they change the service. A general request for “professional scans” leaves too much room for differing expectations.
Separate an initial scan from a later project
For a large personal archive, an initial set of scans may help you decide which frames deserve a more involved scan or print. Ask whether the lab can rescan selected frames later and what identifiers it needs. This approach is a planning option, not an assurance that it will always cost less.
For a deadline-driven project, ordering the needed output at the start may avoid another round of handling and waiting. Compare the complete workflow, including the time required to select images and send negatives back, rather than only the difference between scan tiers.
Make a deliberate decision about negatives
Confirm whether negatives are returned, held for collection or subject to a disposal policy. Ask about cutting and sleeving options if the physical arrangement matters for your archive or future scanning. Do not assume the lab will keep film indefinitely after delivering digital files.
Save downloaded scans in a clearly named folder and keep an additional copy separate from the first. Retain a simple index connecting the digital files to the physical rolls. Review the files before any lab download link expires and raise missing or incorrect output promptly. A finished order should leave you knowing both where the digital files are and what happened to the original film.
Sources & further reading
Prepared 5 November 2026. General planning guidance, not a substitute for provider instructions or professional advice.