Ilford celebrates 145th birthday with retro-inspired film boxes – and we want one too!

Originally named Britannia Works Company, Ilford began its black and white film production business in 1879 – 145 years later it is still one of the most recognizable brands in the photographic film industry.

Despite Ilford’s penchant for monochrome, to celebrate the milestone, Ilford has released colourful, retro-inspired packaging for the two top films. Inspired by the original packaging from the 1950s and 1960s, the film boxes feature vibrant colour blocks and retro fonts.

The limited edition has been designed for the ever-popular HP5 Plus and FP4 Plus films in 35mm and 120 formats. This is particularly apt considering the designs are based on the colours and style of the HP3 and FP3 packs, the forerunners of today’s FP4+ and HP5+ emulsions.

Ilford Sales and Marketing Director Giles Branthwaite says: “Film photographers are collectors by nature and have regularly asked us to introduce limited edition packaging such as this. This is an exciting year for us, having recently announced a multi-million pound investment in our R&D and operational capabilities. As we celebrate 145 years since the original Ilford company was founded, we are delighted to continue building on our heritage as we look to the future.”

Since Ilford’s inception, the film photography landscape has evolved, disappeared and re-emerged. A recent renaissance, thanks to social media trends, has seen film photography on the rise again, and the ubiquitous Ilford continues to deliver its stunning black and white film.