Frequently Asked Questions

We’re based in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. The packing kit that we post out includes a pre-printed address label for us at this address: The Slide Converter Unit A14, Seedbed Business Centre Vanguard Way Southend-on-Sea Essex SS3 9QY NB Our previous address at SS3 9JX is still active so parcels and letters sent to the old address will be received as normal

Yes, that's no problem our reception is open 8.30am to 5pm Monday - Friday. We also have an alternative address for weekends and out of hours. Please contact us before making a journey. Our address is: The Slide Converter Unit A14, Seedbed Business Centre Vanguard Way Southend-on-Sea Essex SS3 9QY

1. Packaging: We suggest having the free packing box for all but the smallest orders. A guide would be anything over 60 slides can go in our box but we are flexible with this number because you are in the best position to decide how they need to be packed. If you do want to send us a large number in your own packaging just give us a call or email and we'll work out together the best way forwards. 2. Portrait / Landscape orientation when packing: We include more detailed instructions on this in the package we send out. In brief, the slides should be packed in their "natural orientation", that's exactly as they would go into a projector - Portrait images should have the long edge on the side and landscape pictures with the long edge along the bottom. Our scan area is large enough to accommodate the slides in portrait or landscape. NB Slides in projector cassettes will be upside-down, its fine to send us the whole collection or large runs of slides upside-down, we can correct these as a batch operation. 3. Correctly "flipping" slides! (the emulsion side) You may or may not be aware that slides have a so called “emulsion side”, most slide photographers would be very aware of this. When scanning your slides its ideal of the whole collection is packed with the emulsion side facing consistently the same way on every slide. Our convention is to have the view-from side (the shiny, non-emulsion side facing away as you pack. This is the way they would have been placed into the projector so its often the most natural way. If your slides are all packed the other way around (emulsion facing you) we can still scan them and flip them around in one batch operation. So consistency in packing is important. If you are not the photographer, you will fortunately most likely find that the whole collection is already ordered with the emulsion side facing consistently in one direction. The packing box we send includes some tips on determining the emulsion side for different makes of slide, so you can double check as you pack and of course we will do our best to correct any which are the wrong way around. Ultimately, any image found to be incorrect can be easily corrected in just about any photo editing app, or by contacting us.

Our recommended postal services, all available from any post office, are: For Parcels up to 20KG The inexpensive “Royal Mail 1st/2nd class Small or Medium parcel service” has been 100% reliable to date. However, all Post Offices now offer "TRACKED 24/48", which is tracked in the same way as the much more expensive Special Delivery but is less than a pound more than sending normal untracked small or Medium parcel. So our recommendation covering nearly all orders is TRACKED 24 or TRACKED 48 from any post office. For parcels over 20kg or IF YOU WOULD LIKE THE SLIDES COLLECTED Parcelforce 48 is the cheaper option for parcels and is available at the Post Office too. This is a fully tracked service. If you order Parcelforce online you can request a collection to save you going to the post office. Order Parcelforce Online For smaller orders or sample requests being sent in you own packaging. Envelopes LESS than 5mm thick 1st/2nd class letter post or Special Delivery if you prefer a tracked service. Packets up to 25mm(1") thick Large Letter 1st or 2nd or again, Tracked 24/48 if you prefer a tracked service.