No mystery rankings
How the index works
Verification
Every displayed price is taken from an official lab page or official order form and carries a verification date. Missing data stays missing. When a source excludes VAT, the comparison price adds 20% and preserves the original figure.
What counts as comparable
A lab enters the ranked list only when the source makes the film format, process, development option and scan tier clear. A headline “from” price is tracked below the results, but is not ranked if scan inclusion is ambiguous.
Value score
The 10-point score weights price at 50%, current review snapshot at 30% and turnaround at 20%, with a small bonus for stronger scan tiers. Labs without a verified rating receive a neutral review component. It is a comparison aid, not a quality verdict.
Distance
A postcode is converted to coordinates using Postcodes.io. Distance is the straight line to the lab postcode, not a walking or public-transport journey. The postcode is not stored.
Ratings
Rating snapshots are secondary context and may change. They are not treated as evidence of scan quality. Review summaries and “best for” claims are kept conservative until the supporting evidence is strong.
120 coverage
When a lab explicitly states that 35mm and 120 share pricing, both formats receive service records. Format-specific prices remain labelled so a cheaper sub-format is never presented as universal.