A franking machine only prints postage you have already paid for. When the credit runs out, it stops. Topping up is simple once you know how, but it catches people out, usually on the busiest afternoon of the month. Here is how it works, the ways to pay, and how to keep the credit flowing. Checked October 2026. How postage … Read more
Should you rent, lease or buy a franking machine? The monthly price alone will not tell you. This calculator adds up every cost over the years you plan to use the machine, so you can see which option is really cheapest. Checked October 2026. How it works For each option, the calculator works out a total cost of ownership: Total … Read more
Quadient and FP both make Mailmark franking machines for UK businesses of every size. Both are European, both sell direct and through dealers, and both have loyal customers. If you have narrowed your choice to these two, this guide sets out how they compare. Facts checked October 2026, and as always we have no favourite. The companies at a glance … Read more
Pitney Bowes and FP are two of the three manufacturers you will meet when shopping for a franking machine in the UK. Both sell Mailmark machines from small desk top models up to busy mailroom kit, and both are sold directly and through independent dealers. So how do you choose? This comparison sets out where they differ and where they … Read more
Most UK businesses lease their franking machine rather than buy it. A lease spreads the cost, usually bundles service, and means someone else deals with breakdowns. It also ties you into a contract that can be surprisingly hard to leave. This guide covers how leases work, what they cost, and the clauses worth reading twice. Facts checked October 2026. How … Read more
If you have a Frama franking machine in the office, you may have noticed the name turning up less and less. That is because Frama is now part of Quadient . This guide explains what changed, what it means for your machine, and what your options are when your lease ends. Facts checked October 2026. Who is Frama? Frama is … Read more
A franking machine prints proof of postage straight onto an envelope or a label. Instead of sticking on stamps, you weigh the item, choose the service, and the machine prints the right amount. Royal Mail then bills nothing at the point of posting, because you have already paid. That is the one line version. Here is what actually happens inside … Read more
Will a franking machine pay for itself? The honest answer is "it depends on your mix of post". This calculator does the sum for you, using Royal Mail's current stamp and franked prices, checked October 2026. How the calculator works You tell it how many items you send in a typical week, split by format and class. It then: Converts … Read more
Franked mail is cheaper than stamps on almost every Royal Mail format. The catch is that a franking machine costs money to run, so the cheaper postage only helps if you send enough of it. Here is a straight comparison, item by item, using prices checked October 2026, followed by the costs people tend to forget. Price by price These … Read more
Picking the best franking machine is less about the badge on the front and more about how much post leaves your building each day. A machine that suits a two person accountancy practice will feel painfully slow in a busy dispatch room, and a big mailroom machine will just eat budget in a small office. This guide sorts the options … Read more
