Film Developing & Processing - CVS Photo (2024)

FAQs

Does CVS process film well? ›

They also develop formats that other retail stores won't. In that sense, it's good. However, CVS is not the best choice if you're looking for professional results or high-quality prints and scans. Most importantly, CVS is not the place to go if you want to hold on to your negatives.

Walgreens has a turnaround time of 3-5 business days for 35mm color film. This is much faster than other retail chains, such as CVS and Walmart, offering film processing. Other film formats, such as black and white, APS, etc., take up to 3 weeks. Do I get the negatives back if I develop film at Walgreens?

CVS doesn't return your negatives to you; you get low quality scans on a CD and prints. You want those negatives; they are the actual pieces of film that went through your camera; you'll be able to get larger prints from the negatives and they'll be higher quality too.

Developing your own film is easier than you think

After that, everything can be done at your sink with the lights on, and with the chemicals right around room temperature. Color developing is a tad trickier because it requires more precise (and higher) temperatures; still, it's not brain surgery.

Film & Photo Developing

In addition, you can have photos produced from old negatives that you've saved over the years. Disposable camera and 35mm film prints are available in as little as 7 to 10 days. All other types of film are usually ready in approximately three weeks.

Disposable camera photos are typically ready for pick up within 7-10 days. All other types of film are usually ready in approximately 3 weeks. Whatever type of film you may have, head to your local CVS to get your photos printed and look back on those special moments in no time!

The Bottom Line. CVS Photo can serve your immediate photo printing needs, but you pay more than competitors and the print quality isn't the best.

Both methods produce high-quality prints, but dye sublimation is generally considered superior. However, it is important to note that Walgreens' inkjet printing process offers better print quality and faster delivery, including 24-hour service, unlike CVS, which only prints orders before 7 PM.

Film & One-time Use Camera processing:

Bring your film and/or one-time-use cameras to develop at your nearest Walmart Photo Center. Make beautiful, gallery quality prints on high quality FUJIFILM photo paper.

Where is the cheapest place to develop film? ›

Where to get film developed the cheapest is almost always a question any film enthusiast has asked before. Walmart is definitely one of the cheaper options, but CVS and Target are other stores worth considering as well. If accessible in your area, these two are the go-to for cheap film developing.

Processing Time

35mm film processing requires a four-day turnaround. Conventional black and white film is hand-processed in-house and will take one week to complete. For faster black and white prints, try the Ilford XP2, which can be processed like color film.

Developing Film Without a Darkroom

You don't need one. In fact you can develop film at home with very little equipment at all. What's more, you can get all the equipment you need online; and secondhand darkroom kit is very cheap.

The process of developing film is actually quite straightforward. We'll go into more detail further into this article, but the basic steps go like this: Load your film into a lightproof tank and pour a series of chemicals in one after another, then wash, dry and scan.

Whether you're looking to transfer your old family photos or convert your VHS home movies to digital or disc formats, CVS Photo's Home Movie and Photo Transfer service is ready to help.

All Walgreens stores with a photo lab can accept your 35mm film. Select stores with a photo lab can also accept APS (Advanced Photo System), 110 film, 127 film, negatives, or a disposable/single-use camera. Walgreens stores that can accept the rolls/negatives will use an outside service to fulfill the orders.

You will receive an estimated pickup time in your Order Confirmation Email for pickup orders. You will also receive an email from the store when your order is ready. Many photo products are available for same day pickup, but some will be shipped to your CVS store in 7-11 business days.

Easy & convenient—ready in days:

Bring your film or one-time-use cameras to a Walmart Photo Center. See an Entertainment associate for assistance when dropping off your film. Your prints will be available for pickup in approximately 6 days. You can choose 4x6, 5x7 or larger prints for framing.