Online postage?

Mark M · 26 Mar 2010 at 14:47

Looking to possibly get rid of our franking machine, so was checking out Royal Mail online postage. It looks good however it has to print the address onto the envelope whereas we use window envelopes 99% of the time.

I appreciate its to stop you printing the same E-stamp numerous times but was wondering if there is an account based solution where if you did that they would just charge you multiple times or something?

The franking machine companies dont seem to offer a solution unless Im missing something?

jimikill · 26 Mar 2010 at 14:55

Are you refering to Smart stamp?

If so you can just print the stamp amount onto a label template of your choice or direct onto the envelope. You do not have to print the address, this is optional.

Mark M · 26 Mar 2010 at 15:08

Is the Smart Stamp the subscription one? I tried just the pay per stamp one and you have to print the address too.

jimikill · 26 Mar 2010 at 15:22

Yes, I think It's about £50 a year but we send out quite a bit every day so the time saved is worth it. I wasn't aware they did a payg version?

Mark M · 26 Mar 2010 at 15:26

Yeah, just need to register an account. Dont need to save any credit card details just pay for each one, but you need to print the address which is no good for window envelopes.

lolism · 27 Mar 2010 at 17:18

Depends how much you use really - we use PPI mail with the Online Business Account. The only thing is your order for the day needs to be a minimum of £5 to create the order online - if not they will just make it £5.

http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/content1?catId=56200703&mediaId=13300157

If you have problems printing them onto envelopes just have your stationary supplier pre-print the PPI logo onto it.

Other options would be to outsource your mailing, we've been considering this for a while due to the discounts you can receive.

PhillyDee · 27 Mar 2010 at 18:39

You dont need to print the address for Smart Stamp.
I use it alongside my order management software (Which automatically prints the address). Just print onto my Dymo labels, leave the <address> as shown when you start it up.

Slime101 · 27 Mar 2010 at 19:30

lolism said:
Depends how much you use really - we use PPI mail with the Online Business Account. The only thing is your order for the day needs to be a minimum of £5 to create the order online - if not they will just make it £5.

http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/content1?catId=56200703&mediaId=13300157

If you have problems printing them onto envelopes just have your stationary supplier pre-print the PPI logo onto it.

Other options would be to outsource your mailing, we've been considering this for a while due to the discounts you can receive.

we use this system too, we send letters, large letters and packets through it, both first and second and it covers the occasional special or international too.

Just enter the code, number of items and average weight and you get billed monthly.

Of course all our packaging has our mail number on it but we are charged through the online system and have a first and second class mail stamp/ink pad for envelopes and things that arent pre-printed.