A is for Advertising

Franking is the quick and easy way to manage your mail that can save you time and money while projecting a more professional image of your company. It’s cost efficient and easy to use, with a flexible range of products and services – and because you can pay for credit as and when you need it, you’re in complete control of your postage .
There are no restrictions on minimum or maximum postage volumes and postage discounts for franked mail are applied per item so you qualify for discounts on your post regardless of how many items you send.

Can I use a franking machine to frank any type of mail?

Franking machines can be used to post many different sorts of mail including the following:

• First Class
• Second Class
• Recorded Delivery
• Special Delivery
• Cleanmail
• Mailsort
• ParcelForce Worldwide Services
• International / Airmail

Franking machines are available from many different companies, such as Pitney Bowes, Neopost & Francotyp Postalia. Pitney Bowes seem to be the most popular in the UK. Genuine Pitney Bowes ink cartridges start at about £35 plus vat and delivery, but compatible cartridges start from as little as £14.99.

Types of franking machines vary from more simple, low-volume machines to larger automated machines, which will recognise the size, weight and thickness of mail. Which machine is suitable for your  business  will depend on the type and volume of mail you are posting. 

There will be manufacturer or supplier costs to rent, lease or buy a franking machine and you will also need to pay inspection and maintenance charges and purchase other consumables such as ink or franking labels. The machine suppliers will be able to advise you . There may also be a charge to top up your franking machine.

However, these costs are offset by the discounts available to you for posting franked mail. You will save at least 5p per item on our standard First Class and 7p on our standard Second Class services, and you will save even more when you use other Royal Mail services such as Special Delivery . 

Franked mail can be taken your local Post Office or Mail Centre or it can be posted in a franked mailbox. Franked mail must not be posted in a regular post box.

If you are a business you can also look in to the Royal Mail collection service, where for an annual fee, the Postman will collect your mail from your premises.

 We have already mentioned the  discounts on all your postage costs, franking your mail is an easy way to project a more professional image of your company. By customising your franking mark , you can include your  business name and logo, as well as your return address, on every item of post you send. You could also use your franking impression to carry a specific advertising message, draw attention to an offer or promotion or just to build awareness of your brand and the services you offer meaning every item of mail you send becomes an advertising opportunity .

The highly visible franking impression creates a consistent identity across every mailing, regardless of the size, colour or shape of your envelope stocks.