How to Store Film and Get It Through Airport X-ray

Film is a physical, light-sensitive material, and how you store and transport it has a real effect on your results. Heat, humidity and radiation can all leave their mark. The good news is that a few simple habits will keep your film in great condition – at home, on the move and through airport security. This guide covers the essentials for UK photographers.

Why film storage matters

Unexposed film slowly changes over time. Heat speeds this up, which can lead to colour shifts, reduced contrast and increased fog or grain. Humidity can damage the emulsion and packaging, and strong radiation (such as the powerful X-ray machines used for checked luggage) can fog film. Faster films are more sensitive to all of these effects than slower ones.

Storing unexposed film at home

• Keep it cool and dry. A cupboard away from radiators, windows and direct sunlight is fine for film you'll use within a few months.
• Use the fridge for longer storage. Many photographers keep film in the fridge to slow ageing. Keep it in its sealed packaging, ideally in a sealed bag or box to protect against moisture and food odours.
• Freezing is an option for long-term storage, particularly for stock you won't use for a long time, but let it thaw thoroughly before use.
• Warm up before opening. When you take film out of the fridge or freezer, leave it sealed at room temperature for a couple of hours (longer from frozen) so condensation doesn't form on the film.
• Never leave film in a hot car. Even in the UK, a car parked in the sun can get very hot inside.

Instant film

Instax and Polaroid film should also be kept cool, but avoid freezing instant film unless the manufacturer advises otherwise, as it contains chemistry that can be affected. Let refrigerated packs return to room temperature before loading. Polaroid film in particular performs best when it's neither too cold nor too warm while you're shooting.

After shooting: exposed film

Once a roll has been exposed, the latent image is also vulnerable to heat and time. Try to get your film developed reasonably promptly, and keep exposed rolls in the same cool, dry conditions as fresh film. Many people keep exposed rolls in their original canisters or plastic pots and label them with notes. When you're ready, our London film lab can develop and scan them.

Expired film

Expired film can still produce interesting results, but expect some changes. Common effects include colour shifts, lower contrast and more grain. How much depends on the film type and how it was stored – film kept in a fridge usually ages far better than film left in a warm loft. A common rule of thumb is to give expired colour negative film about one extra stop of exposure for every decade past its date. Any expired film we sell is clearly labelled and sold as expired.

Taking film through airport X-ray

Airport security is the topic film photographers ask about most. Here's what you need to know.

Never put film in checked luggage

Scanners used for hold baggage are much more powerful than those used for hand luggage and can fog film, even slower film. Always pack film – exposed and unexposed – in your carry-on bag.

Hand-luggage scanners

Conventional hand-luggage X-ray machines are generally considered safe for most film at typical speeds when passed through once or twice. The effect is cumulative, however, so repeated scans on a long trip with several flights can add up. High-speed films – ISO 800 and above – are more sensitive and more likely to show fogging.

CT scanners

Many UK and international airports have introduced CT (computed tomography) scanners for cabin bags. These produce detailed 3D images and can be harsher on film than older machines. If you know your airport uses CT scanners, it's worth asking for a hand inspection.

Requesting a hand check

You can politely ask security staff to inspect your film by hand rather than putting it through the scanner. In the UK, whether they agree is at their discretion, so allow extra time and be prepared for them to say no. To make a hand check easier:

• Keep all your film together in a clear, resealable plastic bag.
• Take film out of cardboard boxes (keep it in its canisters) so it's quick to inspect.
• Be ready to present the bag separately at the start of the screening process.
• Arrive early so you're not rushed.

Film already loaded in a camera is also affected by scanners, so the same advice applies to cameras containing film. Instant film packs and single-use cameras are film too, so treat them in the same way.

Lead-lined bags

Lead-lined film bags are sometimes suggested, but they can obscure the X-ray image and may prompt security to scan the bag again at a higher intensity or search it by hand. They are not a guaranteed solution.

Buying film at your destination

If you're worried about multiple scans, another option is to buy film at your destination and get it developed before you fly home. Alternatively, you can ship film separately – although postal items may also be screened.

A quick checklist

1. Store film cool and dry; use the fridge for longer-term storage.
2. Let cold film warm up before opening the packaging.
3. Never leave film in a hot car or in direct sun.
4. Always carry film in hand luggage when flying – never in the hold.
5. Keep film in a clear bag and ask for a hand check, especially for ISO 800+ film or CT scanners.
6. Get exposed film developed reasonably promptly.

Stocking up before a trip

Planning a holiday? Browse our 35mm film, 120 film and instant film collections, or grab a single-use camera for easy travel snaps. We offer free UK delivery on orders over £60. If you have any questions about film care, see our FAQ or get in touch.