"Dark bags"

[MikeH]

I usually mail my E6 4x5 to the lab in the film boxes. The Darkroom today mentioned "dark bags." Searches, including B&H, turn up blank. Are these light-tight bags, that would be less-costly to mail to the lab? Where does one find them?
Thanks.

[Bill Poole]

Aren't these the black poly bags the film is packed when new, inside the box??

[domaz]

The bags black and white paper come in might work if you double bagged them.

[Jim Andrada]

You can use the light proof black bags in flat cardboard mailers.


https://www.amazon.com/Adorama-Safe-T-Bags-Transportation-Protection-Photographic/dp/B00009USYL

[Tin Can]

Save ALL film boxes and dark bags for reuse

[MikeH]

Thanks, everyone, for all the responses. Turns out B&H has them... you need to search for "Paper safe bag" rather than "dark bag... :-)

[r.e.]

Thanks, everyone, for all the responses. Turns out B&H has them... you need to search for "Paper safe bag" rather than "dark bag... :-)

What's the plan? To use these and a USPS cardboard envelope or similar instead of a box?

[MikeH]

Yes. I've been sending priority mail, ~$8. This will be ~$2.50 - $3. We'll see.

[r.e.]

Yes. I've been sending priority mail, ~$8. This will be ~$2.50 - $3. We'll see.

Thanks for starting the thread. I like this idea. Those USPS envelopes are sturdy enough, and it's easier and less cumbersome than using a box.

[John Layton]

I'd be careful to avoid placing otherwise unprotected sheet films in anything flat for mailing, and would instead opt to place the sheets back into their original lightproof bags/sleeves and boxes prior to mailing - to offer some added protection from squashing/scratching/folding.

[Greg Y]

I agree with John. I would not send films thinly packaged. Several years ago, I received a CD in a flat cardboard mailer. The CD itself was also in a cardboard case. The postage stamp cancelled mark went right through the packaging onto the CD.

[MikeH]

I need to get the bags first, but I plan to enclose the bags in a 2nd, smaller cardboard envelope. I'll report back in a month or so after I've tried this. But, The Darkroom said they return "bags or boxes," so others must be doing this... We'll see.