Fujifilm Instax FAQ

How do I make sure my INSTAX photo develops properly?

To make sure your INSTAX photo develops properly, all you need to do is place the photo on a flat surface. The photo will appear all by itself! It takes approximately 90 seconds for an INSTAX photo to fully develop.

During these 90 seconds it's important that you don't bend, fold, or shake the photo. Fanning it is no longer necessary either! Doing so prevents the chemicals from spreading evenly, resulting in a damaged photo. All you need to do is be a little patient! For the best results, make sure you don't place the photo directly in the sun.

Why is my Fujifilm INSTAX photo overexposed or unsuccessful?

An overexposed or unsuccessful INSTAX photo can have several causes. For example, you may have taken a photo shooting into the light. A photo taken against the light can turn out very dark, or far too bright! For good exposure it's better to photograph with the light behind you, so your INSTAX photos are bright and detailed. A photo can also be overexposed when you're photographing a reflective object, such as a mirror or a street sign. The reflection bounces the flash light from your INSTAX camera back into the lens, causing your photo to be overexposed. When taking photos, it's also best to avoid large differences in contrast, so your camera doesn't get confused and your photos are nicely exposed.

If the photo stays completely white, it's possible that you accidentally opened the back cover of the camera or printer. If you open the back cover while there is still photo paper inside, the first 2 to 3 undeveloped photos will be exposed to light. Due to the light, the photos develop before you've even taken a photo — even after taking a shot, the photo remains white. Fortunately, this usually only applies to the first two to three photos; the rest can still be used perfectly fine.

What should I do if my Fujifilm INSTAX photo paper is past its expiry date?

Do you still have INSTAX photo paper that has passed its expiry date? Then you don't need to throw it away straight away! If the photo paper has been stored properly, you can still use it without any worries.

Do you have photo paper that is about to expire? Store it in the fridge! By keeping the photo paper in a cool, dry place, the chemicals break down much more slowly. This means you can still use the photo paper well past its expiry date, without it having a negative effect on your photos.

Why are the lights on my Fujifilm INSTAX flashing?

Flashing lights on your Fujifilm INSTAX camera indicate that the batteries are empty. Simply replace the batteries and the lights will go off by themselves! It's best to replace the batteries with the camera switched on, as this resets it and gets it ready for use again. Use good quality alkaline batteries for your INSTAX camera, as rechargeable batteries are not powerful enough.

How should I store my INSTAX photos?

Do you still have INSTAX photo paper that has passed its expiry date? Then you don't need to throw it away straight away! If the photo paper has been stored properly, you can still use it without any worries.

Do you have photo paper that is about to expire? Store it in the fridge! By keeping the photo paper in a cool, dry place, the chemicals break down much more slowly. This means you can still use the photo paper well past its expiry date, without it having a negative effect on your photos.

Why is the counter on my INSTAX showing 'S'?

The counter on Fujifilm INSTAX cameras and printers resets when you open the back of the device. Is the counter on your INSTAX instant camera or printer showing 'S' after loading a new film cartridge? Then you most likely still need to eject the black protective sheet. The first print of your new photo paper always has a protective sheet — by taking a photo you remove it. The counter updates automatically and you're ready to start shooting!

It's important that you don't open the back cover of your INSTAX camera or printer when there are still unused photos inside. This can damage the photos and sets the counter to 'S' while the cartridge isn't actually empty yet.

Do I need ink for my INSTAX printer?

No ink is needed to use the Fujifilm INSTAX printers. The INSTAX printers use the same photo paper as the Fujifilm INSTAX cameras, which works on the basis of light exposure. As soon as you take a photo, the chemistry in the photo paper is activated and the photo develops.

Which film format do I need for my INSTAX camera or printer?

Fujifilm INSTAX has many different types of instant cameras and photo printers, and therefore many types of photo paper too! Models with 'mini' in the name, such as the INSTAX mini 12, use INSTAX mini photo paper. Models with 'wide' in the name use wide photo paper. The square models are filled with square photo paper.
Of course, the different types of photo paper are available in all kinds of fun variations with different colours and effects. So pay close attention when buying new photo paper that the model name of your camera matches the name of the photo paper.