Also known as business or metered mail, franked mail refers to post that has been processed with a franking machine.
After franking your mail, you can utilise any of the posting methods detailed in this guide to ensure its prompt arrival at its intended destination.
Franked Mail Posting Methods
There are many ways to post your franked mail and ensure it reaches its destination on the date you wish. imail comms unpack them here.
Franked or Meter/Business Post Boxes
Since franked post boxes are specifically utilised for posting franked mail, this is a guaranteed and prompt method for posting your business mail. However, Royal Mail does not provide a complete list containing locations of franked post boxes. To find your nearest franked post box, call them directly on 03457 950 950.
Helpline Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 8AM – 6:30PM
Saturday: 8AM – 3PM
Sunday: Closed
Local Post Office Branch or Royal Mail Centre
With over 11,500 branches nationwide, posting franked mail at your local post office is often the most convenient option, with branches typically within a half-mile radius of each other.
You can locate a post office close to you by using the official Post Office branch finder.
Royal Mail Collection
If you cannot find time in your busy schedule to send franked mail or prefer hassle-free mailing, you can opt for the option of having your mail collected by Royal Mail from anywhere in the UK. For a specified annual fee, a collections driver will pick up parcels from your doorstep and deliver them to any destination. Royal Mail additionally provides options to collect your envelopes at a prearranged time and date. You can find prices per annum for this facilitated postage method below.
Weekday Collection
Pre-allocated time: £870
Time of collection allocated by you: £1990
Saturday Collection
Pre-allocated time: £270
Time allocated by you: £550
Points to Consider
- If your business spends more than £17,000 annually with Royal Mail, weekday collection service is free of charge.
- The cost of a one-off collection is £14.58 (Excluding VAT).
- This service is not suitable for businesses that send low volumes of franked mail annually.
Public Post Box
Franked mail can also be posted in public post boxes, provided it complies with the following criteria:
- The mail is enclosed in a meter posting envelope.
- The quantity of letters is limited to 30 per envelope.
- Mail is only posted once daily.
You may locate the nearest Royal Mail service provider or post box by using their ‘Services Near You‘ tool.
Related article: Exploring Alternatives to Royal Mail: Diversifying Your Postal Options
How to Identify a Franked Mail Post Box
Franked post boxes can be found as slots within a regular post box clearly marked as franked mail and located next to stamped mail slots.
More commonly, franked mail post boxes are found as separate standalone boxes. They are customarily larger than regular post boxes and contain bigger-sized slots. They are also more square-shaped in contrast to the typical round-shaped post boxes.
Should I Invest in a Franking Machine?
With a standard franking machine, you’re required to manually place in the correct postage pricing into the machine, and smart-meter franking machines will automatically calculate the postage pricing. However, using a mailmark franking machine, you can instead have a franking mark printed directly on the mail you intend to send – you can also print a company logo and brand messages, enticing your clients with a personalised letter that goes a long way towards enhancing your professional image.
Franking machines are time-efficiency boosters and money savers, as a franking machine eliminates the time it requires to address letters and reduces the need to pay for stamps.
If your enterprise deals with a moderate amount of mail, acquiring a franking machine could result in saving costs. Franking machine postage boasts significantly reduced rates compared to regular postage, providing a practical advantage even for small businesses.
If you believe your business could benefit from having a franking machine, check our definitive guide to franking machines.
Posting Your Franked Mail
Franking machines give your mail a personalised head start, but don’t forget that you have a significant role to play during and after the franking step, ensuring a seamless and optimal mailing process.
Franking Instructions
- With franking machines, print your franking marks clearly in blue ink on the upper right-hand corner of your letters.
- Franking should include a return address in case of unsuccessful delivery.
- Postmark your mail with the date of postage/collection using your franking machine.
- You cannot use a Franking mark to prepay return mail to your company.
Sorting Instructions
After franking, ensure that your mail is sorted correctly before you pay for postage. Sort your mail according to class, size and destination.
Class
1st Class – Red pouches
2nd Class – Green pouches
Destination
International Mail – White pouches
UK Mail – According to class
Size (For all mail types)
Small Letters – Up to 200
Large Letters: Up to 45
Final Steps
- Secure your letters with an elastic band.
- Present your parcels in mail bags separated by class.
- Have your bags posted using any of the methods explained in this guide!
The Last Word
Franked mail offers a cost-effective, time-saving alternative to traditional stamp usage, allowing for a more efficient post management, especially in bulk. The discounts provided can significantly reduce postage costs, a boon for any operation looking to streamline expenses. Moreover, franked mail imparts efficiency and professionalism, enhancing the recipient’s perception of the sender.
However, it’s not without its drawbacks. The initial investment in a franking machine can be substantial, and the ongoing maintenance and updates represent an additional cost. Despite these negatives, the advantages of using franked mail for those who frequently send post are undeniable, making the effort of finding a franked mail post box well worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Here are the questions people want answered about this topic.
What is a mail box franking service?
A mail box franking service refers to a specialised service that allows businesses and individuals to pre-pay their postage using a franking machine. This service imprints a postage mark directly onto envelopes or labels, indicating that postage has been paid. Utilising a franking service can lead to significant savings on postage costs, streamline mail processing, and offer a professional appearance to your outgoing mail. It’s an efficient, cost-effective solution for managing large volumes of post.
Where is my nearest franked mail post box?
To find your nearest franked mail post box, start by visiting the Royal Mail’s official website. They offer a comprehensive Post Box Finder tool, which includes a filter for locating post boxes that accept franked mail. Simply enter your postcode or town to reveal a map and list of nearby options. Alternatively, your local Post Office can provide information on franked mail post box locations. For those in urban areas, these boxes are often situated near business districts for convenience.
Can franked mail go in any post box?
Franked mail cannot be placed in just any post box. It requires specific franked mail post boxes or designated slots within larger post boxes, marked clearly for this purpose. These are tailored to handle pre-paid, machine-franked items, ensuring they are processed efficiently. If you’re uncertain, it’s advisable to drop your franked mail directly at your local Post Office or seek out a post box with the appropriate signage for franked mail to avoid any postal mishaps.
What if I forgot to post franked mail?
If you’ve forgotten to post your franked mail on the intended day, it’s crucial to take action promptly. Franked mail must be posted on the date it’s franked. If missed, you should re-frank the item with the correct, current date before posting. The best option is to take your mail to the local Post Office and explain the situation; they can guide you on the best course of action. Remember, accurate dating
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