Home
Order FormsHow to Mail Your Slides for a Free Scan
We will scan up to 10 of your 35mm slides at no charge so you can see our quality — including expert Photoshop color correction on every image — before sending a full order. Your scans are posted on a private download page and your originals are returned via First Class Mail. No credit card. No commitment. One free demo per family or address, U.S. only.
The only thing you need to do is pack your slides correctly and mail them. It takes about five minutes. Here is exactly how.
Step 1 — Fold and cut a paper holder for 5 slides
Take a standard sheet of paper and fold it to create a simple sleeve that holds 5 slides snugly. This keeps them from shifting around inside the envelope and protects the emulsion surface from contact with other surfaces.
Step 2 — Make two sets to stay under 1/4" thickness
USPS charges extra for envelopes thicker than 1/4 inch. Ten slides in a single stack will exceed that. Two sleeves of five slides each, placed side by side in the envelope rather than stacked on top of each other, keeps the total thickness under the limit and qualifies for the standard First Class letter rate — approximately the 2-ounce rate.
Step 3 — Include your order form and mail
Print your free demo order confirmation email and include it in the envelope with your slides. We need your name and return address to send your originals back. Without it we have no way to contact you or return your slides.
Mail to:
Affordable Scanning Services LLC
400 Bittersweet Lane
Waupun, WI 53963
Take it to your Post Office window and confirm postage. If packed as described above it should mail at the standard 2-ounce First Class rate.
What happens after we receive your slides
Once your slides arrive we scan them at 4,000 ppi and apply full Photoshop color correction and enhancement to every image — the same editing that is included with every paid order. This is the most important part of what we do and the biggest difference between our results and what you would get from a batch scanning service.
Your demo scans will have our logo on them. We post them on a private download page and send you the link by email. You can view and download them immediately.
We return your original slides via First Class Mail at no charge, typically within 2 to 3 days of receiving them.
If you like the results and want to place a full order, your demo scans can be upgraded to logo-free versions. If you are not ready to order yet, there is no pressure and no follow-up.
Frequently asked questions
How many slides can I send?
Up to 10 slides. One demo per family or mailing address.
Can I send photos instead of slides?
Yes — up to 5 photos (4x6) instead of slides.
How long does it take?
Allow 3 to 6 days for First Class mail each way, plus 2 to 3 days for scanning. Total is typically 10 to 14 days from when you mail to when you receive your originals back.
Is there any risk of losing my slides?
First Class mail is not tracked, so there is a small chance of loss. Do not send slides that are irreplaceable or that you cannot afford to lose. We have been doing this since 2002 and have not had a loss, but we want you to understand the shipping method before you decide.
Do the demo scans have a watermark?
Yes, our logo appears on demo scans. If you place a full order the scans are delivered without any logo.
What if I want to buy the demo scans without placing a full order?
You can purchase the logo-free versions of your demo scans. Contact us after you receive your download link.
No credit card. No commitment. One demo per family or address.