You want to buy a postage counter for your business, but you’re not sure how to begin. Welcome to the definitive postal meter guide.
A Postage Meter: What Is It?
To get things started, let’s go over a quick overview and history. First introduced in the 1880s was the postage stamp affixing machine. But it wasn’t until 1923 that postal authorities approved the first postage meter.
Postage meters were first made with manual cranks, printing dies, and counters to record the amount of postage applied. Take a few decades to fast-forward to the present, when technology has significantly improved, and product offerings suit a variety of businesses, from tiny start-ups to mailrooms of a high company level.
Postage Meters from the Early Models
Mailing machines, franking technology, stamp machines, postage machines, mail printers, mailing infrastructure, mail meters, & the list goes on are some of the many names for postage meters. Whatever name you give them, they all essentially perform the same function of printing stamps and calculating postal rates.
The federal government considers postage to be US money. It is not possible to purchase a postage meter altogether since the USPS regulates the production and sale of these devices.
This means that you are required to either lease or rent a machine from the maker of the postage meter or from an authorized reseller. You will often sign a lease agreement for a machine that is leased for a period of one to five years; longer durations typically result in paying a monthly charge and smaller installments. The postage meters come in a wide range of sizes, prices, and features, so it’s easy to select one that meets the demands of your company.
Why is One Necessary for my Business?
Using a postage meter to automate your mailroom procedures can help you save both cash and time if you send out a handful of envelopes on a monthly basis. In what precise way, therefore, may they assist you?
Momentum
An automated meter computes rates and produces postage more quickly than stamps. Your envelopes might also be sealed by several meters.
Money
Postal Meters allow customers to take advantage of postal reductions, which result in cost savings over utilizing stamps.
Additionally, never use more postage than is required when using integrated scales.
Easy accessibility
A postage meter allows you to obtain postal services around the clock. There’s no need to purchase stamps at the post office.
Identifying
Use the metered imprint to give your envelopes a polished, businesslike appearance. Include a personal message or your logo.
What a Postage Meter Can Do
A postage meter may be fed with envelopes in three different ways.
Manual
Put the envelope in, print it, and then take it out by hand. Ideal for low levels of volume.
Partial Autonomous Feeding
One envelope at a time is printed by the machine after being manually inserted. Deal for little to medium volumes
Merely Feeding
Place an envelope stack in the feeder, and the device will pick them up and print them one at a time. Ideal for mailing in medium-to-high volumes
Sealing and Wetness
No one enjoys licking envelopes. Isn’t it preferable if the machine seals your envelopes? As a result, processing mail is quicker, more fun, and more sanitary. A few postage meters (https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/39/501.1) can mechanically wet and seal envelopes. This function will become increasingly helpful as you process more mail, particularly in large batches.
Speed of Processing
Letters per minute (LPM) is the processing speed expressed by postage meter manufacturers. Meters for entry-level use begin at around 17 LPM. However, a lot of other elements, such as your meter productivity, also play a role in how quickly you can complete the task.
Productivity Factors for Postage Meters
● Controls and Usability (e.g., touchscreen vs. buttons)
● Envelope feeder type (manual, semi-auto, auto)
● Alternatives for Weighing (like Differential and Dynamic Weighing)
● Easy/quick mail class selection
● Capabilities of input and output trays
● Operation without jams
● Processing Speed (LPM)
Measurement
Scales measure packages and envelopes. Permitting the machine to automatically calculate the postage based on weight, destination, and mail class.
The maximum weight on integrated (built-in) scales is 2 to 15 pounds. Postage meters can also come with external scales that can weigh up to 70 pounds. Purchasing a scale that can handle the weight for the largest box you frequently mail is suggested.
Distinctive Weighing
With differential weighing, you can handle a stack of envelopes with varying weights more rapidly. On your scale, place a stack. The scale calculates the envelope’s weight after removing it from the postage printer and then moves the envelope to the envelope each time. Differential Weighing is only available with specific meters.
Weighing Dynamically
Each envelope’s size, shape, and processing speed for mail will all be detected by a dynamic scale.Depending on the hardware, different processing will be allowed. Arrange envelopes in a stack at the entrance to the feeder. The postage metering system automatically determines the weight and dimension of each item and adds the correct postage when the parts are passed through the machine’s postal channel.
Accounts Payable
You may designate individual letters or batches of letters to particular accounts using postage meters. These accounts may be divisions within a company, clients, or departments. Postage transactions will be grouped by account in your monthly reports.
Even though all postage meters can produce basic postage transaction reports, your accounting department may want more thorough reporting. Make sure to question your sales representative about reports, including the extra software that links to the meter, if you think this is relevant.
Postage meter types often come in the conventional colors of black, gray, and white.
Nonetheless, a variety of colors are offered for certain postage meters. Remember to inquire about your alternatives if you find color to be significant or simply enjoyable.
It’s a creative approach to add some color to the workspace. Moreover, several postal meters are available in limited editions that benefit charitable causes, such as Breast Cancer Awareness.
Customization extends to your envelopes in addition to modifying the hue of your meter. To give your clients a more personalized touch, include a PostBase advertisement with your company’s logo, a holiday greeting, or a brief note. Additionally, you may download a variety of stock photos and texts on your machine.
