Polaroid Photo Albums
Polaroid's own Photo Album holds 160 i-Type, 600 or SX-70 prints for $22.99. Go, Instax Mini and Square need smaller pockets; Wide uses the same size sideways.
Instant Photography Tips
How instant film works and how to get better prints from it: developing times, film storage, shooting tips and display ideas.
12 articles
Guides
Polaroid Wedding Guest Book
Plan on 2 to 3 photos per guest: for 100 guests, that is $182 to $273 of Instax Mini film or $474 to $711 of Polaroid film. Cameras, books and setup below.
Why Are My Polaroids Coming Out White or Dark?
Fully white or black Polaroids usually mean a camera fault. Too light: cold film, an unshielded print or flash too close. Too dark: not enough light or flash.
Do You Shake Polaroid Pictures?
No. Polaroid says never shake a photo while it develops: the chemistry is still wet and shaking leaves blobs. Lay it flat and face down. Instax is the same.
Does Instant Film Expire?
Yes. Polaroid says use its film within 12 months of the production date on the box, and Instax packs carry an expiry date. How to read the date and store film.
How Does Instant Film Work?
Instant film carries its own darkroom: rollers burst a pod of developer across each sheet as it leaves the camera. How Polaroid, Instax and Zink make a print.
How Long Do Polaroids Take to Develop?
Polaroid colour film takes 10 to 15 minutes and black and white 5 to 10. Instax takes about 90 seconds. Cold slows both down. Times for every film are below.
How to Display Polaroid Pictures
Clip them on string, use magnetic frames, grid them in a big frame or keep them in an album. Wait 30 days before sealing Polaroids and keep them out of the sun.
How to Take Good Polaroid Pictures (and Instax)
Use lots of light, keep the sun behind you, stay within flash range, shield the print and keep the film at room temperature. Polaroid's and Fujifilm's advice.
Polaroid Picture Ideas
Polaroid and Instax picture ideas, from friend portraits to Christmas morning, each planned around what instant film does best: close range and plenty of light.
Comparisons
Instant Film Sizes
A Polaroid print is 3.5 x 4.2 inches with a 3.0 x 3.1 inch picture. Instax Mini is 2.1 x 3.4 inches. Here is every instant film size, in mm and inches.
Cheap Instant Film
Most Instax Mini '100 pack' listings on Amazon are third-party bundles at $1.20 to $1.80 a shot. A twin pack costs about $0.91 a shot, and Fujifilm's own 120-shot pack about $0.81.