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How do I Prepare my Cine Film Before Sending It to You?

Prior to sending your cine film for digitisation, it is vital you prepare for the best possible results. Whether it is home movies or old family footage, may degrade over time and gather dust, grime, and even fingerprints. These imperfections can negatively affect the digitisation process, so it is crucial to clean and prepare your cine films carefully.

super 8 cine film, 8mm film

The first step in preparing your cine films for digitisation:

The first step in preparing your cine films to convert to digital involves eliminating the layers of dust and dirt that likely accumulates over time. To achieve this, you can effectively use a can of compressed air. It is important to avoid blowing on the film with your breath. The moisture from your saliva could harm the film emulsion, leading to irreversible damage. Gently use compressed air to remove loose particles, ensuring that the cine film, 8mm film, remains free from visible debris.

So, the compressed air sometimes does not provide satisfactory results. You may find there are still residues such as oils or fingerprints. To remove these, you can use a lint-free cotton cloth. This is the next tool in your arsenal for converting film to digital or converting cine film to DVD. It is vital to emphasise that the cloth must be lint-free, as any lint or fibres left behind can harm the cine films, 8mm films, surface. Carefully wipe the film with the lint-free cloth, making sure to remove any remaining contaminants. Avoid excessive pressure that might cause scratches.

8mm film splicing, cine film splicing

Your cine film or 8mm film may still require further cleaning before converting it to digital or DVD. You can employ a cotton swab soaked in 98% Isopropyl alcohol. This higher grade of alcohol is less likely to leave streaks on the 8mm film. It is crucial to be gentle during this step and avoid excessive rubbing to prevent damage to the film. The alcohol will help dissolve any remaining stubborn contaminants. It will evaporate quickly, leaving your cine film ready for digitisation or conversion to DVD.

How to store 8mm film?

Once the cleaning process is complete, it is essential to store your cine film or 8mm film correctly. Make sure the storage area is well-ventilated, cool, and dry to allow any residual alcohol to evaporate completely. This prevents the formation of watermarks or other marks on the film, making it ready for conversion to DVD.

With your 8mm film properly prepared and cleaned, you are now prepared to send them for digitisation or conversion to DVD. At Supaphoto, we offer affordable and efficient services to convert your cine film to digital or DVD, preserving your memories in a modern format allowing you to watch or share easily. Our team of experts will handle your cine film and 8mm film with care and precision, ensuring you receive the best possible results. Do not let your precious memories degrade further – entrust them to professionals who can bring them back to life in a digital or DVD format. Digitise today with Supaphoto.


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