A franking machine is a device that precisely weighs and calculates postage parcels. It prints it directly onto envelopes or labels and assists businesses in managing their mailing costs. Organizations can benefit from using a franking machine to streamline and improve this process.
Such devices allow businesses to print postage within their office. It removes the need to make trips to the post office to buy stamps. Hence, workroom staff can do something other than perform redundant and repeated jobs. They have the advantage of savings of up to 10c* on every letter and mailing costs for large envelopes. Let's dive deeper into this blog to understand this machine better.
The functioning mechanism of a franking machine
These machines look into the mailing costs for large envelopes by measuring the items by their weight. They do this before printing the postage on the parcel. They look into the right mailing prices by measuring the items by their weight.
It prints a Mailmark-compliant indicia that includes a unique 2-D barcode. This indica is impressed onto a letter or parcel instead of using a stamp. Sending mail with a franking machine is cheaper than using stamps due to Mailmark tariffs.
Uses of FM
Here are some other benefits of using a franking machine:
Time efficiency: Franking machines eliminate the need to affix stamps to envelopes manually.
Professional appearance: Franked mail can look more professional and enhance your business's image.
Personalized messages: You can add personalized messages to your outgoing items.
Brand awareness: You can save your company logo and print it on the envelopes to increase brand awareness at no additional cost.
How to use a franking machine?
To use one, you can:
Place your letter or parcel on the weighing scales
Select the size and service you want
Add a message if desired
Insert a label or envelope into the printer slot
The machine will automatically calculate the exact postage
Stick the label on the parcel and drop off your post at a Business Posting Box or local Post Office.
Reducing the cost of large envelopes
The mailing costs for large envelopes depend on their size, weight, and destination. In general, larger mailpieces cost more to mail. For example, in First-Class Mail, postcards cost less than letters, and letter-size mail costs less than flat-size mail. Parcels pay the highest price due to the cost of processing and delivery.
Whereas a franking machine selects the correct postage price by weighing the item you are sending before printing the postage on the mail item. This allows you to pay more for your postage.
Summing it up
Such machines are a boon for individual businesses. They save a ton of money on mailing costs for large envelopes and parcels. They keep the staff less occupied as they do not have to run errands in the post office. Every company should invest in these devices if they have the capital to do so.