Introduction
For small businesses looking for franking machines that are cost-effective, user-friendly, and capable of handling medium to high volumes of post, we have gathered an array of franking service products that fit these criteria. Along with answers to frequently asked questions, such as Why use a franking machine? What are the benefits for small businesses? What are the costs? And how to choose the best franking machine for you.
Why use a franking machine?
The two biggest benefits of using a franking machine are the savings of money and time. Franking is a do-it-yourself approach to post and shipping, offering self-reliance and the ability to process mail without queuing in lines.
With simplicity comes increased productivity elsewhere – something that practically all businesses need. Users of franking services in the UK can benefit from the Business Mail rate, which provides a discount on the cost of individual mail items. For businesses sending post in bulk, these savings can accumulate significantly over time.
For small business employees, it’s common to have a variety of tasks and responsibilities that fragment their attention. With a franking machine rent or lease, you can have your outgoing pre-sorted post collected directly from your home or office by Royal Mail. One less task to deal with.
What are the benefits for small businesses?
By eliminating the need to rely on the Royal Mail Post Office being open, small businesses can process their post at any time—whether late at night during a busy period or at their own convenience. The hassle of purchasing and manually affixing postage stamps to individual mail items is completely removed.
A common mistake businesses make when sending bulk post is overpaying for postage. With a franking machine, the built-in electronic display calculates the exact postage cost for each item. As a digitally connected device, it automatically receives Royal Mail rate updates, ensuring accurate pricing at all times.
For added security, payments are entirely digital and deducted from a pre-paid balance. Small business customers cannot pay using cash or cheques, which prevents fraud and incorrect payments. The franking machine ensures that every letter or parcel is accurately priced before being sent.
Franking machines also offer cost tracking. With built-in analytics features, businesses can monitor postage spending across different departments. This data helps small businesses manage their postal budget more effectively and identify cost-saving opportunities.
What are the typical costs for leasing a franking machine?
In the United Kingdom, businesses and individuals can either purchase or lease a franking machine from a Royal Mail-approved supplier. There are three manufacturers authorised by Royal Mail to supply franking machines:
- Quadient
- Pitney Bowes
- Francotyp-Postalia (FP)
The lease cost is typically paid monthly. Businesses with low mailing volumes generally opt for a fixed-rate lease.
Different businesses will have unique needs when choosing a franking machine, so we’ve put together a selection of recommended machines suitable for small to medium-sized businesses.
For businesses with a tighter budget, we suggest the iX-1 Series Franking Machine.
This device has a processing speed of 18 letters per minute (LPM). For data tracking, the IX-1 can observe the postage spending of up to ten user accounts (or departments) in your business. The IX-1 comes with a 5 kg weighing scale that can be removed to accommodate larger packages.
The two factors to consider are the volume of post sent and the highest weight of the post you’re sending. If your business intends to send more than 150 pieces per month, we suggest that you do not select this device, as that amount of post will exceed the IX-1’s limit.
If your business will be sending a higher volume of post than 150 mail pieces per month, we suggest the iX-3 Mailmark Franking Machine.
The iX-3 Series has a processing speed of 45 LPM. Its weighing scale begins at 3 kg and can be upgraded to 5 kg, 10 kg, or a 35-kg weighing scale—these weighing scales are primarily designed for packages.
If your business requires more than ten user accounts, this device is better suited to you. The iX-3 Series can accommodate up to 300 user accounts.
*For information on pricing, we suggest that you contact a representative.
Conclusion
One of the most effective ways to increase productivity is by simplifying everyday tasks. Mail and shipping are areas where businesses can save time and effort. Franking machines simplify the mailing process by eliminating manual postage calculations, reducing errors, and enhancing efficiency.