Opacification failure (blue marks)

Did you ever experience blue/white marks that look like scratches in your pictures? This article helps you to prevent them. 

Distinguished by:

• Blue, flame-like marks along bottom of frame, or
• Thin vertical line(s) or cracks of blue throughout the frame

Caused by:

These blue marks are actually areas of over-exposure. What has happened here is that the chemical opacification layer (which protects your film from light after ejection from the camera) did not have enough time to mix and spread before the photo was exposed to the ambient light in your environment. This issue manifests itself most often along the bottom of the frame (the first part to be ejected from the camera rollers), but can appear throughout the frame as well, usually in long, thin lines.

How to avoid:

• Clean your camera rollers
• The camera rollers are responsible for the rapid and even spreading of the developer paste. Cleaning your camera rollers should be part of your regular camera maintenance. You can read more about it here.
  
  
• Use a film shield
• The film shield will protect your photo from light during the first few moments after exposure
• Film shields are available in our online shop, here. 
• You can learn how to install a film shield on a Polaroid 600 camera in this article and how to install one on a Polaroid SX-70 in this one. 
  
  
• Ensure your film is not expired
• Check the bottom of the film box where you will find the production date embossed
  
  
• Ensure correct storage of your film
• Article: How to store Polaroid film