Scope Definition

Emulsion Reproduction provides high-quality digital reproduction of photographic film and related photographic materials. Our work is focused on faithful optical capture, careful file preparation, and controlled digital delivery.

Each order is produced according to the selected service tier. The included work, file types, handling level, and amount of visual interpretation vary by tier. Services not specifically included in the selected tier are not assumed to be part of the order.

Unless separately agreed in writing, orders do not include restoration, retouching, repair, compositing, object removal, custom color matching, print production, or unlimited revisions.

Our goal is to produce clean, professional digital files within the practical limits of the original material, the selected service tier, and the condition of the film or photographic item submitted.

Order Acceptance

Emulsion Reproduction reserves the right to decline, pause, or cancel any order at our discretion.

Orders may be refused for reasons including, but not limited to:

• damaged or unstable materials
• incomplete or unclear submissions
• copyright concerns
• materials we are unable or unwilling to reproduce

Any materials suspected of involving the exploitation of minors will not be processed and will be reported to appropriate authorities.

Exact Slide Count Requirement

Clients are responsible for providing an accurate item count when submitting an order.

Orders are billed based on the actual quantity received and processed. Orders will be verified during intake. If the received quantity differs from the client-submitted order form, processing may be delayed pending clarification.

To help maintain workflow accuracy, best practices are to ship slides flat, in archival pages or sleeves similar to Print File 2x2-20B, and organized in the order the client wishes them to be processed and returned whenever possible.

Orders received in boxes will be transferred into archival storage pages for handling and return shipment. Original slide order may not be preserved during this process. There is no additional charge for archival sleeving or transfer. Slide boxes will not be returned unless prior arrangements have been made before shipment.

Slide Carousels

Projection carousels are not accepted for standard processing. Slides should be submitted in archival pages, sleeves, or storage boxes. Clients with specialized collections may contact Emulsion Reproduction prior to ordering to discuss project requirements.

Processing Schedule

Orders are processed in the order they are received unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Processing begins only after:

• materials have been received
• intake has been verified
• order details have been confirmed

Estimated scheduling information may be provided at the time an order is placed. Final scheduling is confirmed after materials are received and intake has been completed.

Completion timelines are estimates only and are not guaranteed unless a formal rush service has been separately approved in writing.

Clients will be notified regarding scheduling and significant delays when applicable.

Service Definitions

Each service tier is designed for a different level of output, refinement, and intended use. Clients are responsible for selecting the tier most appropriate for their project requirements.

Archive RAW Capture

Archive RAW is designed for clients who prefer a straightforward optical capture with minimal interpretation or post-processing.

Files are delivered as unprocessed RAW TIFF files intended for personal archiving, independent editing workflows, or future reproduction needs. Minor global adjustments required for basic file consistency may be applied, but extensive color balancing, tonal refinement, dust correction, or restoration work is not included.

This tier is intended for efficiency, consistency, and archival capture rather than finished image preparation.

Professional Optical Reproduction

Optical Reproduction is the core service level and is intended to produce balanced, finished files suitable for printing, sharing, and long-term archival use.

Each image is individually evaluated and adjusted for color balance, density, contrast, and tonal consistency using Emulsion Reproduction’s controlled optical workflow. Files are delivered as high-quality TIFF and JPEG outputs prepared for general photographic use.

This tier is designed to provide a refined and consistent reproduction while maintaining the character and integrity of the original film.

Exhibition Grade

Exhibition Grade is intended for highly selective projects requiring the highest level of individual attention, refinement, and output quality.

Each image receives extensive evaluation and manual adjustment within the practical limits of the original material. Additional time may be dedicated to tonal refinement, color interpretation, density balancing, and careful preparation for large-format printing, publication, or exhibition use.

Due to the time-intensive and highly individualized nature of this process, Tier 3 services are available by custom quote only. A consultation will be required to review source material, project goals, and expected outcomes prior to acceptance.

Revisions / Upgrades

Clients are encouraged to review delivered files promptly after delivery.

Reasonable correction requests related to processing errors, missing files, or export issues will be addressed at no additional charge if reported within the initial review period.

Requests involving subjective interpretation, additional editing, tonal changes, color preferences, retouching, restoration, or expanded adjustment work may require additional charges or a tier upgrade depending on project scope.

Because photographic interpretation is inherently subjective, exact color, density, or tonal matching cannot be guaranteed.

Original materials are typically shipped 2–3 business days after digital delivery. Revision requests submitted after return shipment may require resubmission of original materials and additional processing fees.

Digital File Retention

Delivered files will remain available for download for approximately 30 days after delivery unless otherwise specified.

Clients are strongly encouraged to download, verify, and create backup copies of all delivered files promptly upon receipt. Emulsion Reproduction is not responsible for long-term file storage or archival retention after delivery has been completed.

Archived project files may remain recoverable for a limited time after delivery at Emulsion Reproduction’s discretion. File recovery, re-delivery, or archive retrieval requests may be subject to additional service fees depending on project age, storage status, and recovery requirements.

Availability of archived files is not guaranteed.

Color / Density Interpretation Limits

Photographic reproduction and interpretation are inherently subjective. Color balance, density, contrast, saturation, and tonal rendering may appear differently depending on the original film, aging characteristics, projection conditions, print history, display calibration, ambient lighting, and individual viewing preferences.

Emulsion Reproduction aims to produce balanced, natural, and technically consistent files within the practical limits of the original material and selected service tier. Exact replication of previous prints, projections, remembered appearance, monitor display, or subjective visual expectations cannot be guaranteed.

Color fading, dye shifts, exposure limitations, film aging, and physical deterioration may limit the degree of correction possible without introducing unwanted artifacts or unrealistic rendering. Unless specifically agreed in writing, services are intended as photographic reproduction rather than extensive digital restoration or reconstruction.

Physical Film Condition

Photographic film and slide materials naturally age over time and may exhibit fading, warping, brittleness, dust, scratches, fungus, adhesive failure, mount damage, or other physical deterioration.

Emulsion Reproduction handles original materials carefully and uses low-pressure filtered air during normal preparation and capture. However, some defects, contamination, or physical damage may not be correctable without introducing additional risk to the original material.

To minimize handling risk:

• slides will not be unmounted or remounted
• chemical cleaning methods are not used
• physically adhered debris or contamination will not be manually removed from film surfaces
• severely damaged or unstable materials may be declined or returned unprocessed

Some materials may not be suitable for reproduction due to age, condition, storage history, or physical instability.

Dust / Damage Disclaimer

Original photographic materials frequently contain visible dust, scratches, embedded debris, film wear, fading, processing defects, Newton rings, aging artifacts, or other imperfections that may appear in the final reproduction.

Emulsion Reproduction makes reasonable efforts to reduce visible dust and minor defects during preparation and processing when appropriate to the selected service tier. However, complete removal of all imperfections is not possible or guaranteed.

Some defects may be permanently embedded in the film surface or emulsion and cannot be corrected without excessive digital alteration, image degradation, or increased risk to the original material.

Services are intended to preserve and reproduce the original photographic image as faithfully as practical, not to create a fully restored or defect-free reconstruction unless specifically agreed in writing.

Copyright Policy

By submitting materials for reproduction, the client represents and warrants that they own the materials submitted or have obtained all necessary rights, permissions, and authorization required for reproduction, digitization, and delivery.

The client assumes all responsibility for copyright compliance, usage rights, reproduction permissions, and intellectual property claims associated with submitted materials.

Emulsion Reproduction does not independently verify ownership, copyright status, or reproduction authorization of submitted materials and assumes no liability for unauthorized reproduction requests submitted by clients.

Emulsion Reproduction reserves the right to refuse any order or material that may involve copyright concerns, unauthorized reproduction, or materials we are unwilling to reproduce.

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Public Complaints and Authorization to Respond

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Clients retain ownership of their submitted photographs and digital files. Emulsion Reproduction will not use client images for advertising, promotional display, portfolio use, or unrelated publication without separate permission.

If a client publicly posts, publishes, or distributes a complaint or claim concerning the quality, accuracy, adjustment, processing, or delivery of work performed by Emulsion Reproduction, the client authorizes Emulsion Reproduction to use limited materials from the affected order solely for the purpose of responding to, explaining, or clarifying that complaint or claim.

This authorization may include the use of:

• one or more representative images from the affected order
• low-resolution or cropped examples
• the file as delivered
• a reasonably adjusted version demonstrating the recoverable image information contained in the reproduction
• before-and-after comparisons
• a description of the service tier selected and the work included with that tier

Any image publicly displayed by Emulsion Reproduction under this authorization will be reduced in resolution and may be prominently watermarked with “SAMPLE,” “RESPONSE SAMPLE,” or similar language intended to prevent normal photographic use.

Emulsion Reproduction may publish the response on or near the platform where the complaint or claim appeared, including on a social-media platform, review service, discussion forum, or other public website. When reasonably necessary to address a public claim that may affect the reputation of Emulsion Reproduction, the response and supporting examples may also be published through Emulsion Reproduction’s own website or social-media accounts.

Only information reasonably necessary to explain the work performed will be disclosed. Emulsion Reproduction will make reasonable efforts to exclude private correspondence, contact information, shipping information, order numbers, filenames, embedded metadata, and other unrelated identifying information.

This authorization is limited to responding to a public complaint or claim and does not grant Emulsion Reproduction permission to sell, license, distribute, advertise with, or otherwise use client photographs for unrelated purposes.

Emulsion Reproduction may elect not to publish images containing confidential material, identifiable minors, nudity, medical information, private family circumstances, commercially sensitive content, or other subject matter considered inappropriate for public display.

Payment Terms

Payment is due in full prior to digital delivery and return shipment of original materials.

Upon completion, clients will be notified when files are ready for delivery. Download access will be provided after payment has been successfully received through the approved payment system.

Digital delivery links and download access codes are intended for temporary delivery use only and may expire after a limited access period.

Original materials are typically prepared for return shipment within approximately 2–3 business days following successful digital delivery.

Original materials and completed digital files will not be released prior to payment completion.

Shipping / Return Shipping

Clients are responsible for securely packaging and shipping all materials submitted to Emulsion Reproduction. The use of trackable shipping methods and appropriate shipping insurance is strongly recommended, particularly for irreplaceable or historically significant materials.

Best practices are to ship slides flat, in archival sleeves or pages, and protected between rigid cardboard sheets to minimize movement and handling damage during transit.

Emulsion Reproduction utilizes tracked USPS shipping for standard return shipment of original materials unless otherwise arranged.

Emulsion Reproduction is not responsible for loss, delay, or damage occurring during inbound or outbound shipping handled by third-party carriers.

Original materials are returned by default unless the client provides written instructions requesting otherwise prior to order completion.

Original materials are typically prepared for return shipment within approximately 2–3 business days following successful digital delivery.

Clients requesting return of original slide carousels or other non-standard storage materials are responsible for any associated return shipping costs and handling fees.

Liability Limitation

Clients requesting disposal or non-return of original materials acknowledge that materials will be destroyed and discarded after order completion.

Emulsion Reproduction handles original photographic materials with reasonable care and professional attention throughout the reproduction process. However, photographic materials are often fragile, aged, unique, or irreplaceable by nature, and all work is performed at the client’s risk.

In the event of loss or damage caused by Emulsion Reproduction, liability shall be limited to the replacement value of the original unexposed film, photographic materials, or the cost of the reproduction services provided, whichever is less.

Emulsion Reproduction is not responsible for loss of image content, emotional value, historical significance, or consequential damages associated with submitted materials.

Emulsion Reproduction is not responsible for loss, delay, or damage caused by third-party shipping carriers, equipment failure, acts of nature, or circumstances beyond reasonable operational control.

Abandoned Orders

Completed orders awaiting payment, client response, delivery confirmation, or return shipment arrangements may be considered abandoned if communication has ceased for an extended period of time.

Emulsion Reproduction will make reasonable attempts to contact the client using the contact information provided with the order.

Orders remaining unpaid, unclaimed, or inactive for more than 90 days after completion may be subject to archival storage fees, cancellation, destruction of digital files, disposal of original materials, or other administrative closure procedures at Emulsion Reproduction’s discretion.

Clients are responsible for maintaining current contact information and responding to delivery, payment, and return shipping communications in a timely manner.