Talk to your telecine lab about the scope and specifications of the job. They will want to know the type of film you are shooting, the type of sound you are recording, your time frame and how you plan to complete the project. Ask the lab what prep steps they are willing to do for you, and what their prep requirements are. If you do not take care of the prep they request, they will charge you at the full telecining rate for any undone prep.
Shoot a framing test chart so the telecine lab knows what framing you require on the video.
Make sure your film rolls have color and gray scales at the head of each roll and also at the head of each scene.
Check to be sure you have at least ten seconds of Smart Slate pre-roll if you are transferring audio as well. Check to be sure slates are legible and that you can hear the clapping of the sticks. Make sure your film sync is at 24 frames per second, with your audio set to record at 30 frames per second.
Check to be sure your sound and camera reports are legible and match each other. Highlight any changes in lenses or lighting so the lab doesn't have to guess what you want.
Cut 35 mm reels down to 1,000 to 2,000 feet and 16 mm reels down to 800 to 1,200 feet to minimize dust. Have your film cleaned ultrasonically.
Assemble your film rolls. Put all A-camera rolls together in ascending order, then all B-camera rolls in ascending order, and so on. Ask the lab if they will punch the +00 key frame. If not, use a single hole hand-punch to punch a hole at the +00 key frame on each roll of film. Make sure the heads of each roll are on the outside of the roll, and that you have at least 12 feet of leader on the head and tail of each roll.