Dear Cracked Film Lab Community,

From the beginning, Cracked Film Lab was built out of love — love for film photography, the analog process, and for keeping this art form alive in Spokane. Every roll we process, scan, and color by hand is part of that mission. Our work is incredibly labor-intensive, and everything we do is done manually with care — not automated. But as many of you know, the reality of running a film lab like ours means that nearly all of our income goes directly back into labor, chemistry, and supplies. After accounting for time and materials, there’s almost nothing left to sustain or expand what we do. At some points- our labor is not covered within the service price in order to keep prices low and accessible.

We’ve reached a point where the lab needs to grow in order to continue. Our equipment is holding us back — our main computer system is over a decade old, and our current scanning setup can’t keep up with the demand or quality goals we’re striving for. We want to upgrade our scanning systems, improve workflow efficiency, and eventually hire help to keep turnaround times fast while maintaining the quality that defines Cracked Film Lab.

Right now, our ability to reinvest in the lab is limited. Every dollar we make goes toward keeping things running day to day — chemistry, rent, utilities, maintenance, and the countless hours spent scanning and correcting each frame by hand. The labor itself, while fulfilling, isn’t financially sustainable without community support.

We’re launching a crowdfunding campaign to help us bridge this gap and take Cracked Film Lab into its next chapter. Donations will directly fund:

• Upgraded scanning systems to expand our workflow and continue producing the high-quality, true-tone scans you love.

• A new computer and processing hardware to replace our current system (now over 10 years old).

• Hiring additional help, so we can keep turnaround times steady without sacrificing the hand-crafted quality that defines the Cracked Method.

• Long-term expansion toward a full brick-and-mortar location, where local photographers can drop off, collaborate, and connect face-to-face.

We’ve built this lab entirely on passion, grit, and community — and it’s because of all of you that we’ve been able to grow to where we are. If Cracked Film Lab has played a part in your creative process, inspired you, or helped bring your images to life, please consider contributing to help us continue this work. Even small donations make a huge difference in sustaining an independent, artist-run lab.

We’re not a big company with investors or backing — we’re a small, hands-on operation built from the ground up, and every scan, every roll, and every hour spent is powered by real people who care deeply about the art of film.

Your support doesn’t just help us survive — it helps us build the future of film photography in Spokane.

Thank you for being a part of this journey with us.

With gratitude,

Cracked Film Lab