Do you own a business and send out a lot of mail? If so, you may be interested in investing in a Mailmark franking machine. These machines have become very popular in recent years because they offer a number of benefits over traditional postage meters.
In this article, we will discuss what Mailmark franking machines are, where to get them, and how much they cost to run. We hope that this information will help you make an informed decision about whether or not a franking machine is right for your business!
What is Mailmark?
Mailmark is a new type of postage that was introduced by Royal Mail in 2014. It allows businesses to send letters and parcels using special barcodes that are scanned by machines at sorting offices. This system offers a number of benefits over traditional postage, including discounts on bulk mailings and the ability to track letters and parcels.
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How does Mailmark work?
Mailmark works by using special barcodes that are printed on letters and parcels. These barcodes are scanned by machines at sorting offices, which allows the Royal Mail to track the mail as it moves through the system. This tracking information can be used by businesses to see when their mail is delivered, and it can also be used to track any undelivered mail.
What are the benefits of Mailmark?
There are several benefits of using Mailmark, including discounts on bulk mailings and the ability to track letters and parcels. It also offers a number of other benefits, such as:
- The ability to print postage directly from your computer
- No need to purchase stamps or visit the post office
- No waiting in line at the post office
- The ability to track your mail and see when it is delivered
- Lower costs for bulk mailings
Where can I get a Mailmark franking machine?
There are a number of companies that sell Mailmark franking machines, including Pitney Bowes and Neopost. You can also lease a machine from some providers.
How much does Mailmark cost?
See our separate guide to franking machine costs.
Mailmark franking machines are available from a variety of suppliers, and the cost of these machines varies depending on the features and capabilities that you require. In general, Mailmark franking machines start at around £500, but the cost can vary significantly depending on the supplier and the features that you require.
How much does it cost to run a Mailmark franking machine?
The cost of running a Mailmark franking machine will depend on a number of factors, including the type of machine you have and how often you use it. Generally speaking, however, you can expect to pay around £50-£500 per month, plus the cost of postage, ink and other consumables.
Mailmark franking prices 2023 / 2024
UK Standard
| Format | Weight | 1st Class price | 2nd Class price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Letter | 100g | 78p | 51p |
| Large letter | 100g | £1.22 | 93p |
| Large letter | 250g | £1.74 | £1.31 |
| Large letter | 500g | £2.24 | £1.73 |
| Large letter | 750g | £3.13 | £2.39 |
| Small parcel | 2kg | £3.95 | £2.85 |
| Medium parcel | 2kg | £5.95 | £4.35 |
| Medium parcel | 10kg | £6.95 | £5.95 |
| Medium parcel | 20kg | £11.95 | £9.45 |
UK Signed
| Format | Weight | 1st Class price | 2nd Class price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Letter | 100g | £2.18 | £1.91 |
| Large letter | 100g | £2.62 | £2.33 |
| Large letter | 250g | £3.14 | £2.71 |
| Large letter | 500g | £3.64 | £3.13 |
| Large letter | 750g | £4.53 | £3.79 |
| Small parcel | 2kg | £5.05 | £3.95 |
| Medium parcel | 2kg | £7.05 | £5.45 |
| Medium parcel | 10kg | £8.05 | £7.05 |
| Medium parcel | 20kg | £13.05 | £10.55 |
Features to look for in a Mailmark machine
- Colour touch screen: A colour touch screen makes it easy to navigate the machine’s menus and select the desired postage options.
- Print speed: Make sure the machine can print at least 30 letters per minute.
- Automatic feeder: An automatic feeder will save you time by feeding envelopes into the machine automatically.
- Envelope sealer: An envelope sealer will save you time by sealing envelopes automatically.
- Postage discounts: Look for a machine that offers discounts on bulk mailings.
- Connection to accounting software: Some machines can connect to your accounting software, which can save you time by automatically calculating postage costs.
Top 5 Mailmark franking machine models
| Category | Model |
|---|---|
| Best Mailmark machine for small business or low volume | FP Mailing PostBase Mini |
| Best mid-range Mailmark machine | Pitney Bowes DM500 |
| Best Mailmark franking machine for large business or high-volume | Pitney Bowes DM1000 |
| Best for enterprise-level top volume franking | Frama FX Series 9 |
| Honorable mention | Neopost IS330/350 |
Best Mailmark machine for small business or low volume – FP Mailing PostBase Mini
The FP Mailing PostBase Mini is a compact franking machine that is designed for small businesses. It can handle up to 30 letters per minute and has a monthly mailing volume of 3,000 letters.
Best mid-range Mailmark machine – Pitney Bowes DM500
The Pitney Bowes DM500 is a fully automatic office mailing system that offers fast, reliable and easy to use mail processing. With a built in 5Kg scale, it can process up to 30 letters per minute, making it ideal for small businesses or home offices.
The machine uses Mailmark technology to frank your mail with a barcode that can be scanned by the Royal Mail sorting machines, ensuring your mail is delivered faster and more efficiently. The machine also comes with a range of features to make mail processing even easier, such as auto-feed and automatic weighing.
Best Mailmark franking machine for large business or high-volume – Pitney Bowes DM1000
The Pitney Bowes DM1000 is an easy-to-use, high-volume mailmark franking machine that is ideal for medium to larger businesses.
The Pitney Bowes DM1000 can process up to 260 letters per minute and can frank 1 or 2 sides of a letter in a single pass. The machine also has a built-in scale that can weigh letters up to 2kg.
The machine comes with a standard 6-month warranty, but this can be extended to 12 months for an additional fee.
Running costs: The Pitney Bowes DM1000 uses ink cartridges that need to be replaced every few weeks, depending on usage volume. A full set of replacement cartridges costs around £100.
Postage rates: The Pitney Bowes DM1000i can frank letters at the standard 1st and 2nd class rates, as well as at discounted bulk mail rates.
How to get one: The Pitney Bowes DM1000i is available from a variety of office supply retailers, both online and in-store.
Best for enterprise-level top volume franking – Frama FX Series 9
The Frama FX Series 9 is a high-volume, fully automatic Mailmark franking machine that is designed for large businesses.
The machine can process up to 400 letters per minute and can frank 1 or 2 sides of a letter in a single pass. The machine also has a built-in scale that can weigh letters up to 2kg.
The machine comes with a standard 6-month warranty, but this can be extended to 12 months for an additional fee.
Running costs: The Frama FX Series 9 uses ink cartridges that need to be replaced every few weeks, depending on usage volume. A full set of replacement cartridges costs around £100.
Honorable mention – Neopost IS330/350
The Neopost IS330/350 is a compact franking machine that is designed for small businesses. It is recommended for up to 250 items per day, and has a monthly mailing volume of 3,000 letters. This machine can be leased for around £50 per month.
FAQ
Mailmark franking is a system that uses barcodes to track and process mail. It was introduced by the Royal Mail in 2014 and is available to all businesses that frank their own mail.
You can post your Mailmark franked mail at any Royal Mail office or Post Office branch.
Your Mailmark franked mail will be processed and delivered in the same way as regular mail. However, because it is tracked using barcodes, it may be delivered slightly faster.
The cost of franking Mailmark mail depends on the postage rates that you choose. For example, 1st and 2nd class stamps cost the same to frank as they do to buy at the Post Office. However, there are discounts available for bulk mailings.
A franking machine is a type of postage meter that uses special barcodes to track and process mail. The barcodes are scanned by the Royal Mail sorting machines, which helps to speed up delivery times.
The best Mailmark franking machine will depend on your specific needs. If you are a small business, then a compact model such as the Neopost IS-330 or the Pitney Bowes DM500i would be a good choice. For larger businesses, the Frama Ecomatic 2 is a high-speed option that can handle up to 200 envelopes per minute.
Lease rates for Mailmark franking machines start at around £249 per month. For more information, please contact your local Frama dealer.
Mailmark franking machines are available from a variety of office supply retailers, both online and in-store. Prices start at around £500.
Mailmark franking is a system that uses barcodes to track and process mail. It was introduced by the Royal Mail in 2014 and is available to all businesses that frank their own mail. Other types of franking do not use barcodes and are not tracked by the Royal Mail.