Video Tutorial: Organizing Slides in a Shoebox

The Smart Way To Pack Slides in a Shoebox for Scanning

A shoebox is actually a clever, practical way to organize and ship your slides for scanning—as long as you prepare them properly. Many of our customers have successfully used shoeboxes to send us hundreds or even thousands of slides. The key is using simple cardboard dividers to keep everything organized and secure.

Watch this quick video to see exactly how it's done. You'll learn how to separate rows, stack multiple levels, and keep your slides safe during shipping.

Note: To hear the audio instructions, right-click on the video and select "Unmute". Move your cursor over the video to see playback controls.

Why Shoeboxes Work Well for Slide Storage and Shipping

They're sturdy. A good shoebox provides solid protection during shipping. The rigid cardboard walls prevent crushing, and the lid keeps slides secure.

They're the right size. Most shoeboxes are deep enough to hold multiple rows of slides standing upright, which is the ideal storage position.

They're readily available. You probably already have one at home. No need to buy special slide storage boxes.

They hold a lot. Depending on the box size, you can typically fit 200-500 slides in a single shoebox, making it an efficient shipping solution.

They're easy to organize. With simple cardboard dividers, you can create separate sections for different "chapters" or time periods in your collection.

How to Prepare Your Shoebox for Slides: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Choose a sturdy shoebox. Use a box in good condition with a tight-fitting lid. Men's shoe boxes tend to be larger and work better than children's shoe boxes.

Step 2: Cut cardboard dividers. Use thin cardboard (like cereal box cardboard) to create dividers that separate rows of slides. Make dividers the same height as your slides (about 2 inches) and as long as the box is wide.

Step 3: Arrange slides in rows. Stand slides upright in the box, all facing the same direction. Use dividers between each group or "chapter" of slides. This keeps different collections separate and prevents slides from mixing together.

Step 4: For multiple levels, add a cardboard platform. If you need to stack slides in layers, cut a piece of sturdy cardboard to create a solid platform for the second level. This prevents upper slides from crushing lower ones.

Step 5: Fill empty space. If the box isn't completely full, stuff wadded paper or bubble wrap in the gaps to prevent slides from shifting during shipping.

Step 6: Label your dividers. Write chapter numbers or descriptions on your dividers so we scan in the correct order.

Step 7: Secure the lid. Use strong packing tape or rubber bands to keep the shoebox lid firmly closed.

The Aluminum Foil Trick

Some customers have had great success wrapping individual rows of slides in aluminum foil before placing them in the shoebox. This creates a protective barrier between groups and makes it even clearer where one section ends and another begins.

How to do it: Take a stack of slides that belong together (like "Summer Vacation 1975"), wrap them loosely in foil, label the outside of the foil package, and place it in the box. This method works especially well when you have slides from very different time periods that you want to keep completely separate.

The foil provides extra protection, prevents slides from mixing if they shift during shipping, and gives us clear visual cues about your organization system.

Common Shoebox Packing Mistakes to Avoid

Don't pack slides flat. Slides should stand upright, not lie flat in layers. Flat packing puts too much weight on the bottom slides and can cause warping.

Don't overfill the box. If you're cramming slides in so tightly that the lid won't close easily, you're risking damage. Use a larger box or split into two boxes.

Don't skip the dividers. Without dividers, slides will mix together during shipping, destroying your organization system.

Don't use a damaged box. Torn corners, weak sides, or a lid that doesn't close properly won't protect your slides. Start with a box in good condition.

Don't forget to label the box. Write "FRAGILE - SLIDES" and your name clearly on the outside.

What Happens When Your Shoebox Arrives?

When your shoebox of slides arrives at our Wisconsin facility, we carefully unpack it following your divider system. Each row or section becomes a separate folder in your digital collection, exactly as you organized it.

Every slide receives individual attention:

• Professional 4,000 ppi scanning
• Expert Photoshop editing to enhance colors and detail
• Careful handling to prevent fingerprints or damage
• Proper orientation checking
• Quality control inspection

After scanning, your slides go back into their original shoebox arrangement, and both the physical slides and your digital files are returned to you.

Other Container Options

While shoeboxes work great, they're not the only option. We also accept slides in:

Carousel trays – See our carousel preparation video
Bell & Howell cubes – See our Bell & Howell prep tutorial
Waxed paper boxes – See our box stacking guide
Plastic storage bins – Similar preparation to shoeboxes
Original slide boxes – From the photo lab

The same basic principles apply to all containers: keep slides organized, use dividers to separate groups, and secure everything for shipping.

How Many Shoeboxes Will You Need?

As a rough guide:

Standard women's shoebox: 200-300 slides
Standard men's shoebox: 300-400 slides
Large athletic shoe box: 400-500 slides

These are estimates. The actual capacity depends on the box dimensions, whether you're stacking multiple levels, and how much room you leave for dividers and protective padding.

Multiple boxes are fine! If you have 1,000 slides, it's perfectly okay to send them in 3-4 shoeboxes. Just number each box clearly (Box 1, Box 2, Box 3) so we scan them in order.

Ready to Send Your Shoebox of Slides?

Once you've organized your slides in a shoebox with proper dividers and secured the lid, you're ready to send them to us. We've successfully scanned thousands of shoebox collections, and we understand how to respect your organization system.

Shipping is easy: Pack your shoebox (or boxes) in a larger shipping box with plenty of padding around all sides. We'll provide detailed shipping instructions when you place your order.

Questions About Packing Your Slides?

Not sure if your shoebox will work? Wondering about the best way to divide your collection? Have an unusual storage situation?

Call us at 1-800-844-1393 or send us an email. We're happy to answer specific questions about your slide collection and provide personalized packing advice.

After hours, email is best—we answer emails at all hours and typically respond within a few hours.