---
title: "Film Washi 120 Processing Leader"
url: https://shop.neoanaloglab.com/en/products/washi-processing-leader-120
language: en
description: "A blank plastic leader on a 120 spool that lets Film Washi's paper-base W and Y rolls be loaded onto an ordinary developing spiral."
---

# Film Washi 120 Processing Leader

Film Washi · Archive & utility · 120 / darkroom accessory / reusable

- Price: ¥1,080 (JPY, consumption tax included)
- Availability: In stock (5)
- Condition: New
- SKU: WASH-ACCLEADER-120
- Ships outside Japan: No, Japan only
- Buy: [Checkout page](https://shop.neoanaloglab.com/buy/WASH-ACCLEADER-120:1?context/language=en) — Opens a confirmation page; stock is reserved and payment is taken only when the buyer continues to Stripe Checkout.

## Description

A blank plastic leader on a 120 spool that lets Film Washi's paper-base W and Y rolls be loaded onto an ordinary developing spiral.

The Processing Leader is not a film: it is a blank, unsensitised plastic strip wound on a 120 spool, made by Film Washi for its own hand-coated paper films. The W-25 datasheet states the problem it solves — the emulsion sits on 28 g/m² Kozo washi rather than plastic, and "as they are very thin and flexible, paper based films cannot be loaded on modern processing reels". The maker's procedure is to tape the head of the film to the end of the leader with the leader underneath and the emulsion facing outwards, never taping onto the emulsion side; hold the two together and feed them into the reel's mouth with the emulsion now inwards and the leader outwards; load slowly and with extra care; then tape the far end of the film to the leader before closing the tank. The leader stiffens and guides the limp roll all the way in, and Film Washi describes it as a separating stripe — it stays between the coils so the paper cannot touch itself during development. Load in full darkness for the panchromatic Y-100; the orthochromatic W-25 may be loaded under a red safelight. The rest of Film Washi's published procedure for these films still applies: no acid stop bath (cold water instead), regular agitation and no stand development, fixing extended to 10–12 minutes because the back of the film rests against the leader, and at least 25 minutes of washing with a water change every 5 minutes. It is reusable — clean it, hang it to dry, then roll it back on its axis to protect it when not in use. For 120 W and Y only: Film Washi's polyester-base films load into a normal reel unaided, and the maker openly notes you can improvise the same thing from a blank strip of processed film, so what you are buying here is convenience and repeatability rather than necessity.

## Specifications

| Specifications | |
| --- | --- |
| Format | 120 roll film (accessory, 120 only) |
| Base | Blank plastic leader strip on a 120 spool; polymer not published |
| Compatibility | Film Washi W-25 and Y-100 paper-base film, 120 only |
| Reels | Paterson, Jobo or AP type spirals |
| Safelight | Loading: full darkness for Y-100; red safelight permitted for W-25 |
| Development | Inversion tank with regular agitation; no acid stop bath; not for stand development; fix 10–12 min, wash 25 min |
| Reuse | Reusable — clean, hang to dry, roll back on its axis |

## Shipping and returns

- Free shipping within Japan on orders of 15,000 JPY or more.
- Roll film ships free from 3 rolls of 135 or 5 rolls of 120.
- Otherwise 500 JPY for small tracked roll-film parcels and 900 JPY for other tracked shipments.
- Orders ship within 2-5 business days after payment is confirmed (weekends and Japanese holidays not counted). Delivery within Japan usually takes 1-2 days (2-4 for small roll-film parcels).
- Returns: Within 30 days of delivery. Change-of-mind returns must be unopened and unused; damaged or defective items are accepted even if opened.

## Questions

- **How do I choose negative sleeves?** For 135 film the standard page holds 7 strips of 6 frames; for 120, pages hold 3-4 strips. For long-term storage choose acid-free material that passes the Photographic Activity Test (PAT).
- **What size trays do I need?** Use trays one size larger than your paper, and plan on 3-4: developer, stop bath, fixer, and a holding/wash tray.
- **How should negatives and prints be stored?** Aim for a dark, stable environment around 20°C and 30-50% relative humidity, avoiding rapid temperature and humidity swings.

## Images

- https://shop.neoanaloglab.com/product-images/products/prod_washi_processing_leader_120/LEADER120_product_00.jpg
- https://shop.neoanaloglab.com/product-images/products/prod_washi_processing_leader_120/LEADER120_product_01.jpg

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Prices and stock as of: 2026-10-20T03:11:19.189Z · https://shop.neoanaloglab.com/en/products/washi-processing-leader-120