It’s one of the three manufacturers licensed to sell franking machines in the United Kingdom. It’s also the inventor of the automatic franking machine and has been in the postal machinery business since 1923. 

FP Mailing is usually considered as somewhere in between Pitney Bowes and Quadient. However, the brand normally offers high-end machinery that competes more with Pitney Bowes than Quadient, both in terms of quality, price, and features.

In addition, with only a few models to choose from, it should be relatively easy to select which FP franking machine is right for your business. 

In this review, we’ll take a look at FP Mailing franking machines, rates, reviews, and extra services to help you make the best decision for your business. 

FP Mailing History 

FP Mailing or Francotyp-Postalia is a German-based corporation. Originally, it launched to offer mailing and shipping solutions. That included innovations like folding machinery, envelope sealing machinery, and the first automatic franking machine. Today, FP sells across the world, including in the UK. 

It also offers a range of digitisation, mail-automation, and process-automation software, much like its leading competitor, Pitney Bowes. 

FP Mailing Franking Machines

FP Mailing offers 5 Mailmark franking machines on the UK market. That includes models intended for everything from small business to enterprise-level mailrooms. 

1. FP PostBase Mini 

The FP PostBase is a small-business franking machine designed for office and small mailroom use. It supports letters up to 10mm thick. It also has a 2kg scale and can connect to an external scale.

You can upload your own labels, logos, and slogans via the app and connect via Wi-Fi or LAN cable. With support for price tracking across 100 accounts, it’s the best entry level price tracker.

In addition, it franks at 24 letters per minute, faster than any competitor’s entry-level model. Pricing can vary a great deal depending on the reseller with quotes ranging from £2,600 to £3,500. 

2. FP PostBase Fusion Semi-Auto

The PostBase Fusion Semi-Auto franks up to 50 letters per minute. It features a colour touchscreen where you can update software, order credit, and change settings. It also includes a print library with 100 images and logos and allows up to 10 custom options.

You can also generate QR codes and print them directly on your envelopes. The integrated scale supports up to 7kg, but the add-on scale goes up to 35kg. The semi-auto features a semi-automatic feed with a hand crank. 

3. PostBase Fusion Auto

The PostBase Fusion Auto links high-volume franking with automation to speed up postage sorting and franking. The automatic envelope feeder helps you sort, measure, weight, and seal post.

In addition, you can easily frank multiple types of mail at once with automatic settings. A label printer also makes this machine ideal for international post.

With a 70 letter per minute rate, the PostBase Fusion Auto is ideal for mid-size businesses and mailrooms. 

4. PostBase Fusion Advanced

The PostBase Fusion Advanced franks up to 90 envelopes per minute, with an automatic letter feeder. Differential weighing, measurement, and automatic franking also mean you don’t have to sort mail upfront.

The machine also supports up to 20 quick rate shortcuts for easily switching rates while franking. You also get 10 cost accounts with an upgrade to up to 250.

Finally, you get up to 30 custom logos, an integrated text generator with 12 programmable slots, and QR code generation for printing on the outside of envelopes. 

5. PostBase Fusion A120

The PostBase Fusion A120 processes up to 90 letters per minute, uses differential weighing to automatically sort post, and uses automatic feeding to speed up franking. You also get an external scale for weighing up to 35kg for parcels.

The machine also includes labelling, a touchscreen, and analytics and reporting capabilities. If you’re using pre-sorted post, you can print up to 120 letters per minute.

In addition, if you want more automation, the PostBase Fusion supports a folder inserter for full automation. 

6. PostBase One 

The PostBase One is an all-in-one mailroom solution for up to 150 letters per minute. This franking machine stands out with multi-carrier support and up to 500 accounts. You can also switch between rates and carriers with a large touchscreen display.

The machine itself includes automatic feeding, sealing, and stacking, with options to automate letter folding as well. Plus, with integration into eCommerce and address managers, you can automatically print shipping labels.

Finally, it offers a full inject printing system for full-colour branding and advertisement printing. 

FP Mailing Franking Machines Compared 

FP offers 6 franking machines to the UK market. The following chart compares them based on volume. 

Unlike its competitors, FP does not normally offer transparent pricing. This means it’s extra important to compare more quotes to make sure you’re getting a good deal. 

FP Mailing Reviewed

FP Mailing is a high-end franking machine manufacturer with the best reputation of any company in the country. While not transparent about pricing, the brand provides high-quality machinery, software, and customer support.

On Trustpilot, the brand maintains a 4.9-star review. 

Customers cite quick service, high-quality machinery, and easy-to-use Software as perks of choosing FP Mailing. 

Why Choose FP Mailing?

FP Mailing is a well-established brand with a great reputation. It also offers a solid line of franking machines, designed for all but the highest volume of use.

In addition, even its entry level models offer perks like wide-format letter feeds and digital screens. 

• Free mail management and address management software with your machine
• Integration into a wide range of eCommerce and address management software
• Full-service contracts and rental available
• Very good reputation

The only real downside to FP Mailing is that with no transparent pricing, it’s harder to tell if you’re getting a good deal on your machine or not. 

Getting A Great Deal On An FP Franking Machine 

The best way to make sure you’re getting the right price for your franking machine is to compare quotes. That means reaching out and asking as many suppliers as you can.

Use the form below and we’ll do so on your behalf, and we’ll send you the most competitive quotes.

As one of the only manufacturers to offer a direct-to-consumer lease with all-inclusive service, Pitney Bowes stands out for businesses looking to simplify their franking machine purchase or hire. 

Still, there’s a lot to know about Pitney Bowes. If you’re wondering about Pitney Bowes’ pricing, subscription costs, and services, you’ve come to the right place.

This article covers Pitney Bowes’ franking machines, costs, services, and review so you can make the right decision for your business. 

History of Pitney Bowes

Pitney Bowes was founded in the United States in 1920. The company also invented the franking machine and was the first commercial seller of the product.

Today, Pitney Bowes is an international company, offering software as a service for managing eCommerce, mailing, business automation, and much more. It’s also one of three franking machine manufacturers authorised to make Royal Mail Mailmark franking machines. 

Pitney Bowes Franking Machines

Pitney Bowes offers 6 new franking machines on the UK market plus refurbished models. Of course, the company has been around for a long time, so you’ll see plenty of older models that have been refitted to meet Mailmark standards.

The 2025 production line by Pitney Bowes includes: 

1. Pitney Bowes SendPro Mailstation

The SendPro Mailstation from Pitney Bowes is a low cost franking machine designed as an entry level model. It’s also the only entry-level franking machine on the UK market with a colour touchscreen.

At £2,037 to purchase direct from the manufacturer, it’s also well within the range of most entry level budgets. The model also prints 1D barcodes, includes a 2.5kg integrated scale, and supports Wi-Fi. You can set it up with RoyalMail and ParcelForce. 

2. Pitney Bowes SendPro C 

The SendPro C is a step up from the entry-level model. It also supports up to 50 letters per minute. You can frank envelopes of up to 9.5mm thick, add custom logos and graphics, and set-up up to 100 accounts with access from 10 devices.

The integrated scale weighs parcels of up to 7kg but you can add up to a 35kg scale. It also costs from £2,586 directly from the manufacturer. 

3. Pitney Bowes SendPro+ 

The SendPro+ is an upgrade of the SendPro C, offering up to 65 letters per minute. You also get a shipping label printer, making this an ideal option for businesses doing international shipping.

With shipping label software, your SendPro+ will integrate into eCommerce and automatically pull contact lists and addresses, complete with automatic tracking notifications. The model starts at £5,000. 

4. Pitney Bowes SendPro C Auto

With up to 125 letters per minute, the SendPro C Auto is ideal for busy mailrooms and large offices. The model offers features like auto-feed, integrated scales, measurement, and multi-carrier support.

The model also automatically tapes and labels packages and posts. Logo and slogan printing, integration with eCommerce and address managers, and shipping label printing come as a standard.

In addition, you can link up to 500 accounts and use up to 6 presets. The integrated scale weighs up to 7kg, but you can add on a scale for up to 35 kg. It costs £5,000. 

5. Pitney Bowes SendPro P2000

The SendPro P2000 is a high-volume franking machine designed to automate as much of the sort, label, and franking process as possible.

The model franks up to 310 letters per minute. It also offers business addresses, promotional messaging, and more in two colours. Plus, with a 10.2” touchscreen, you can switch between 500+ accounts and presets with ease.

You also get auto sort, weigh, and measure, as well as envelope sealing with an automatic feeder. That means you can simply stack mail in the machine, and it will do the rest. Pricing starts at £20,520. 

6. Pitney Bowes SendPro P3000

The SendPro P3000 offers everything that the P2000 does, plus additional graphic customization, faster print speeds, and faster sorting. You get full colour printing at up to 1,200 DPI. Differential weighing and measurement also mean you don’t have to pre-sort mail.

In addition, with a 15” detachable display, you can easily program the machine, add graphics, and customize franking runs. With differential real-time weighing, the machine franks 205 letters per minute. For pre-sorted mail, it franks up to 310. It also costs from £32,069. 

Comparing Pitney Bowes Franking Machines

Below, we’ve organized all of Pitney Bowes’ franking machines according to franking volume and price.

We’ve also added the annual service costs for inspection and re-licensing for each machine, directly with Pitney Bowes. 

In most cases, you’ll want to make a choice based on your franking needs and budget. Of course, you can also opt for a refurbished franking machine to save on costs. 

Pitney Bowes Direct Services

Pitney Bowes offers direct from manufacturer lease and purchase of its franking machines.

• £8.75-£13 fee per recredit for Payment in Advance 
• £7.75-£14.25 fee for refills up to £1,300
• 1.1% fee on refills over £1,300
• 70% discount on ink refills with recurring/automatic subscription 
• 5-year lease contract for new and refurbished franking machines 
• Annual servicing for £116-£2,065 
• Direct sales of new and refurbished franking machines 

Pitney Bowes Review & Reputation 

Pitney Bowes is the oldest franking machine manufacturer out there. It’s also one of the best reviewed options out there, with an average 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot. 

Customers cite quick customer service, quality machinery, great customer support, and great machine service as reasons for good reviews. 

Getting The Best Deal On A Pitney Bowes Franking Machine 

Pitney Bowes is a high-end franking machine manufacturer. Its machines cost more than other leading options like Quadient. However, you can still get a great deal on your Pitney Bowes franking machine.

Use the form below to request competitive quotes from suppliers in your area so you can select the best deal.

Quadient stands out for many UK businesses. For example, it has more contracts with third-party and independent suppliers than any other manufacturer. That means you’ll have more choice of maintenance, supply, and inspection contractors than with any other manufacturer.

What else? Quadient is a budget brand, so its machines are priced more affordably than any other alternative. 

Quadient is a top choice, especially for small business franking machines. Here’s everything you need to know about the brand, its history, franking machines, and its prices. 

History Of Quadient 

Quadient was founded in 1924 as Neopost. It operated under that brand until 2019, when it changed name to Quadient. The company primarily specializes in mailroom equipment and business process automation, which it sells across 90 countries. 

In 2024, Quadient also acquired Farma, which was the third-largest franking machine manufacturer in the UK. As the UK’s other budget franking machine provider, that acquisition consolidated market choices into fewer options. However, it does mean that Quadient has more franking machines in the UK market than any competitor. 

Quadient Franking Machines In The UK Market

Quadient offers 9 different franking machines on the UK market.

All of those are budget models, though that doesn’t mean they don’t offer plenty of features. 

Quadient iX-1 Series Franking Machine 

At just £1,790, this is the cheapest franking machine on the UK market. While you can get a better deal by going second-hand, Quadient’s entry-level model comes in at £300 cheaper than the lowest-cost Pitney Bowes model.

For that, you get 18 letters per minute, letter thickness of up to 7.93 mm, and plenty of versatility. Quadient will charge you for upgrades like adding more accounts or printing more label options, but you can easily set and program that through the app. 

Quadient iS-290i Mailmark Franking Machine 

At £1,798, this office franking machine is a small upgrade from the entry model. It offers 18 letters per minute, an integrated 3kg scale, and options to add on an external scale. You can also program more logos and slogans, and add in more than one department.

This model is great for offices that need a versatile and upgradeable machine, so you can choose to pay (or not)  for any extras you need as you need them. 

Quadient IS-280C Desktop Mailmark Franking Machine 

This desktop franking machine is designed for public-facing environments. It’s also compact enough to fit into most business spaces, even if mail franking isn’t primarily what you do. It prints up to 18 letters per minute.

Like the other budget Quadient franking machines, you’ll pay for services as you need them. For example, this model comes with one department standard but you can upgrade your account to 5 or 10. Plus, at £1,890, it’s still cheaper than the entry-level Pitney Bowes model. 

Quadient iX-3 Mailmark Franking Machine 

At up to 45 letters per minute, the iX-3 is a good choice for larger offices and mailrooms. You still get a budget-friendly purchase rate of £3,085.

In addition, it supports letters of up to 10mm, making it a great choice for advertising departments. Plus, with up to 100 accounts, this franking machine works for advertisers printing mail out for individual clients.

What else? It comes with an integrated scale but you can add an external one to up to 35kg. 

Quadient iX-5 Mailmark Franking Machine 

The iX-5 starts to offer automation solutions with an optional automatic feed. Of course, the hand-feed costs £4,355 versus the auto-feed at £7,916. Still, the automatic feed can save you hours per week by automatically feeding stacked mail into the machine.

Plus, with a differential scale, you’ll automatically frank based on weight, so you don’t have to pre-sort as much and can avoid fines. You also get a colour touchscreen, control panel, and plenty of customization. Plus, at 75 letters per minute, it’s fast enough for even the busiest medium-size mailroom. 

Quadient iX-7 Mailmark Franking Machine 

The iX 7 adds faster letter processing and more automation, for a maximum speed of 175 letters per minute. It also supports letters of up to 16mm thick, meaning you can process even large envelopes. Plus with automatic feeds, support for up to 500 accounts, and S.M.A.R.T. automation software, this franking machine is designed to save you time on processing large volumes of post. What else? You can add an envelope tray and automatically sort post into trays ready for collection. At £6,786.00, it’s also a bargain compared to any other option on the market. 

Quadient iX-9 Mailing and Shipping System 

The iX-9 bills itself as a mailing system, not a franking machine. However, it also franks mail – while automatically sealing, weighing, measuring, metering, and stacking it.

You’ll also be able to print in up to two colours, with logos, slogans, QR codes, and more. Plus, with dynamic weighing, you can add mixed post and have it franked correctly, every time.

What else? With a 150,000 print ink tank, you’ll be able to reorder ink less and save more. 

Quadient IS-600 High Volume Franking Machine 

The IS-600 supports up to 300 letters per minute. It also automates the sorting process by weighing, measuring, and sorting mail for you. The automatic feed also finishes by stacking post, so you can simply hand it to the collector.

You also get a colour touch screen, up to 15 preset jobs, and up to 500 accounts and departments. 

Comparing Quadient Franking Machines

Quadient offers 9 franking machines on the UK market. Some of these used to be available as Neopost franking machines. We’ve sorted by volume and cost.

However, keep in mind that volume increases also mean more features like automation, letter sealers, automatic feeds, etc. 

Quadient Reviews

Quadient is the top budget franking machine provider in the UK. It averages a 3.9-star review online, with most reviews being positive. 

Customers cite:

• Easy to use self-help and customer portals
• Helpful customer service
• Good pricing on franking machines and supply 

However, most Quadient franking machines are sold by authorised suppliers. This means that if you choose a Quadient machine, you’re more likely to work with a third-party supplier, and their feedback and reputation are more important. 

Why Choose Quadient? 

Quadient is one of three franking machine manufacturers in the UK. Usually, it’s the budget option. However, there are plenty of reasons to choose this brand:

• Low-cost machines
• Large number of franking machine models available
• Large number of authorised suppliers and maintenance suppliers
• Highly competitive sales 
• High-volume ink cartridges so you replace ink less often 

Are you ready to look into the right franking machine for your business? Use the form below to request quotes from Quadient suppliers in your area, we’ll reach out to request competitive quotes, and send the best to you. 

At the same time, preowned franking machines aren’t always a great idea. Most have an expected lifespan of about 5 years. After that, you can expect more repairs, which can be costly. In addition, licensing and registration hassles can add more issues than you’d like. 

What else? Every franking machine has to be registered and licensed with the Royal Mail. If your machine has been blacklisted, stollen, or uses the old crown frank mark instead of the Mailmark, you won’t be able to use it. 

Still, buying a pre-owned franking machine can save you 30% or more on your machine, so it can be well worth the extra hassle. Let’s take a look at prices, considerations, and when to buy or not to buy a used franking machine. 

Preowned Franking Machine Costs 

Used franking machine costs will change depending on the manufacturer, the supplier, and where you’re getting them. You’ll also want to consider the state of the machine. For example, you can buy a manufacturer refinished Pitney Bowes direct from the manufacturer, for about £1,000 cheaper than their flagship entry-level model new. That’s quite good savings. 

• Low-volume – 30% savings
• Mid-volume – 50%+ savings
• High-volume – Up to 70% savings 

However, you might see even better savings if you’re shopping around on online marketplaces or buying direct from business auctions. 

Keep in mind that if you’re buying a franking machine through an online marketplace, you might pay re-registration fees from a minimum of £116 from an authorised supplier or manufacturer.

Because most of them don’t work with machines that you already have or which may be acquired outside of an authorised supplier, you’re best off sourcing your franking machine from the same organisation you want to register it. 

Some suppliers will also charge an initial setup fee, which can range from £50 to £900+, especially if you’re buying the machine outright. 

Where To Lease Or Buy Second-Hand Franking Machines 

You can also expect rates to vary a lot depending on how you buy:

• Manufacturer refinished – These are not usually more than about 30% discounted but can be up to 50% off new price. Older refurbished models will be cheaper. 
• Third-party supplier – Rates depend on the supplier and your total contract and package. Look for doorbuster deal with all-inclusive ink and supply for the best bargains. 
• Third-party reseller – These can cost 70% or more less than new but might come with hefty hidden fees for licensing and registration. Or, you might be unable to use it at all. 

The best way to get an idea of what your second-hand franking machine will cost is to request quotes from authorised suppliers. That means one of the three licensed manufacturers in the UK or one of the 27 licensed independent suppliers and resellers. 

What To Consider When Buying A Used Franking Machine 

A preowned franking machine can save you thousands. At the same time, it can be a lot of headache and hassle that ends up costing more than a new one would.

Being aware of extra complications when you go to buy can save you all of that, so you get a great deal. 

Licensing and Registration

If you’re buying a used franking machine from one of the 27 authorised suppliers or manufacturers in the UK, don’t worry about this. Your supplier will provide your franking machine and will register it for you as part of the cost.

A franking machine license is valid for one year. You’ll renew it every year during the annual mandatory inspection. 

What is a franking machine license for? Royal Mail doesn’t offer franking machines itself. Instead, it issues a license that allows you to buy credit and frank mail from the machine.

The inspection and license certify that your machine is set up properly and is franking mail in accordance with the law. Franking without a license is fraudulent and illegal. 

The Royal Mail franking license includes:

• Business name and address
• Franking machine serial 
• Model name and number of specific franking machine
• A unique DIE number
• A number assigned by the Royal Mail Franking Administration for records keeping 

Registering your machine allows you to re-credit or top up the machine. 

Checking a License on a Second-hand Franking Machine

1. Get the meter/serial number from the franking machine. The serial number is comprised of a PCN and a 7-digit numeral code, such as HZOO 0012345 or PB1234567, but the codes will vary per manufacturer. 

• Pitney Bowes – 08444 992 992
• Quadient – 1.800.636.7678  
• FP – +44 1322 424890

2. Call the manufacturer to request information about the franking machine. For example, they’ll be able to let you know if they can transfer the licensing and registration, if the machine is blacklisted, etc. 

3. The manufacturer or authorised supplier is the only party that can apply for a franking license. You cannot do so on your own. Costs also vary per supplier. For example, Pitney Bowes handles the annual inspection and license renewal for £116 to £2,065 with a contract. Without a contract, you can normally expect to pay much more. 

Blacklisting

If your machine has been stollen, used fraudulently, or left the market, it might be blacklisted by the Royal Mail.

This means that the serial number can no longer be registered or used with Royal Mail, and you will not qualify for a Royal Mail license, even through the manufacturer. 

Mailmark 

On 01 January 2023, Royal Mail switched exclusively to Mailmark machines. These use a 2D barcode instead of the old crown mark. Mailmark machines were available before this date. However, any machine that isn’t already a Mailmark machine should be retired.

In some cases, you will be able to update your machine by updating the software. On the other hand, that can be more expensive than simply buying a newer model. Therefore, you’ll want to buy your machine from an authorised supplier that is guaranteed to sell you a Mailmark machine. 

Repairs and Maintenance 

Most franking machines are rated for about 5 years of service, but they can last 10 years or more with good care and maintenance. However, the older the machine when you buy it, the more likely it is to have recurring (and costly) maintenance problems.

Consider looking at the service log to see how often the machine has been serviced. The logbook should also include any replaced parts. A recent overhaul or repair isn’t a bad thing. However, a lot of small repairs might be indicative of a larger undiagnosed problem or failure. 

What’s the verdict? Try to stick to an authorised supplier when you choose your used franking machine, and you’ll skip most of the possible issues. 

Getting The Best Rate On Your Used Franking Machine 

Used and second-hand franking machines can be a great way to source a high quality but budget franking machine. There are plenty of variables to pay attention to, like machine service history, status, and supplier. However, if you’re buying from an authorised supplier, you should be able to easily update the machine and start using it with no more hassle than you would from a new machine. 

With that in mind, you can still shop around, compare quotes from different suppliers, and make sure you’re getting the best deal on your second-hand franking machine. That means looking at multiple rates, comparing actual costs like ink supply and licensing, and seeing what you get for the money.

Use the form below and we’ll contact top suppliers in your area, request a competitive quote, and pass the savings on to you. 

Still, with the cost of franking machines, you’ll want to shop around, compare rates as much as possible, and get the best possible price on your franking machine. 

In addition, with three franking machine manufacturers in the UK, you’ll have a selection of different low-volume franking machines to choose from. 

In this guide, we compare the top franking machine models for small business, with prices, capabilities, and offerings included. 

Top 10 Franking Machine Models For Small Businesses

With 3 different manufacturers on the UK market, you get a choice of 10 great low-volume franking machines for small businesses.

These range from small desktop models to small mailroom models, so you can still choose a franking machine that’s right for your business.

1. Quadient iX-1 Series Franking Machine 

The Quadient iX-1 is the cheapest franking machine on the market. At just £1,790 for a new machine, you won’t find a better deal.

However, with a maximum speed of 18 letters per minute, limited upgrade options, and a maximum letter thickness of 7.93mm, it’s not for everyone.

Still, this model offers plenty of versatility, including options to pay for more premium software to upgrade accounts, custom slogan printing, etc. 

2. Quadient iS-290i Mailmark Franking Machine 

The Quadient iS-290i is another budget franking machine that is the best fit for office use. At 18 letters per minute, it will keep up with most offices. In addition, you can customize printing and slogans, add logos, and some other extras.

Like other Quadient models, getting those extras may require paying per month for software capability. However, with a base price of £1,798, it’s a hard rate to beat.

This model only has a 3kg integrated scale, so you’ll have to upgrade to an external one for most parcel posts. 

3. Quadient IS-280C Desktop Mailmark Franking Machine 

The Quadient IS-280C is a desktop franking machine designed for small businesses. The compact model offers an integrated scale, online recrediting, and a simple LCD screen. You also get personalized messaging and printing.

The IS-280C comes with one department standard, however, you can add up to 10 with an account upgrade. At £1,890, it’s still one of the cheapest models on this list. 

4. Quadient iX-3 Mailmark Franking Machine 

The Quadient iX-3 is a small business mailroom franking machine capable of printing up to 45 letters per minute. It also supports envelope thicknesses of up to 10mm, making it a better fit for large envelopes and advertising material.

In addition, you can add a scale of up to 35kg. The base software supports up to 100 accounts or departments for easy rate switching. At £3,085, it’s also the cheapest franking machine on the market with this capacity. 

5. FP PostBase Mini 

The FP PostBase Mini is the smallest and cheapest franking machine offered by FP Mailing. Unlike many entry-level franking machines, this one also comes with a 10mm thick envelope feed. You can process up to 24 letters per minute.

The model also features a 2kg integrated scale. You can also connect to Wi-Fi in addition to a LAN cable, customize print features with logos and slogans, and add credit with the app. 

6. FP PostBase Fusion Semi-Auto 

The Fusion Semi-Auto is a small-to-medium volume franking machine.

At 50 letters per minute, it’s ideal for offices that handle a lot of post. You also get a touchscreen to update rates and credit, to select departments, and to select from a print library or to add your own.

The integrated scale goes up to 7kg and you can add an external one for up to 35kg parcels. It’s also the only model on the market with an integrated QR code generator and printer, perfect for advertising mail. 

7. Pitney Bowes SendPro Mailstation

Pitney Bowes’ SendPro Mailstation is the smallest franking machine offered by Pitney Bowes. It’s also the cheapest franking machine option available if you want a digital touchscreen.

At the full price of £2,037, the machine is only slightly more expensive than budget models from Quadient. However, you get an integrated 2.3kg scale, a companion app, programmable letter rates, up to 100 accounts, and access from 10 devices.

It processes letters at up to 16 per minute, perfect for small business and office use. 

8. Pitney Bowes SendPro Mailstation C

For £2,586, you get a small business franking machine with a 7” digital screen and capable of processing up to 50 letters per minute. That’s ideal for mailrooms and busy offices.

In addition, you can add an external scale up to 15kg and an envelope sealer. If you buy from Pitney Bowes, your all inclusive contract includes automatic ink resupply, with ink shipped as soon as your machine starts to run low. 

9. Pitney Bowes SendPro MailStation+

The Pitney Bowes SendPro MailStation+ increases mail capacity to 65 letters per minute, making it the highest volume franking machine on this list.

It also costs £5,000, making it the most expensive. Still, it’s a great fit if you’re in between low and mid-volume franking. In addition, you get more features like an automatic feed, envelope sealer, and custom label printing for international mail.

It’s also one of the only small business options with an automatic feed, which can save you hours per week. 

10. Pitney Bowes DM60i

If you want a budget franking machine but still want to go with a premium brand like Pitney Bowes, the refurbished DM60i is the way to go.

This model supports up to 35 letters per minute, includes an internal scale or an up to 35kg external scale, and has presets for up to 5 accounts. You also pay just £1,335 full price to buy the machine outright. 

The Top 10 Small Business Franking Machines Compared 

If you’d like a faster look at how those machines compare, here’s everything laid out with prices, basic capacity, and extras included. 

Getting The Best Deal On Your Low-Volume Franking Machine

Most small business franking machines include low-volume models designed for desktop or mailroom use.

The first step is to decide what you need from your franking machine. From there, you can request quotes from suppliers and manufacturers, compare what you’re getting, and select the best deal.

Here, it’s a great idea to look at extras like ink resupply costs, maintenance costs, annual inspection costs, and software update costs as well.

In addition, models that look cheaper like Quadient can eventually cost more because of software upgrade requirements to access certain features. So, you’ll really want to look around and compare your options. 

If you want help, use the form below and we’ll request those quotes on your behalf. Just let us know what you need, and we’ll request competitive quotes from top suppliers in your area.

In most cases, you can save anywhere from 4p to £1.34 over online business rates with franked mail. If you’re shipping internationally, you can save up to £7.40 on a single large business letter! Of course, if you compare it with stamped rates, you can save much more. 

This page is up to date with the Royal Mail Mailmark Franking Rate Update from 07 April 2025. 

1st Class Royal Mail Franking Charges vs Stamp Charges

These are UK standard rates released in the update dated 07 April 2025.

Here, you’ll notice that in some cases, it can save you a great deal to opt for mail franking. In other cases, it might actually cost you more to frank your mail.

You’ll notice that the clearest savings are in the standard business first class large letter of up to 100g. 

Keep in mind that the online rate can actually be cheaper than the franked rate. Here, you have a business account and still have to print out your own labels.

However, if you note the column on the right, most franked charges are still cheaper than the online rate, with a maximum of £1.34 in savings with a 10kg medium first-class parcel. 

2nd Class Royal Mail Franking Charges vs Stamp Charges 

If you’re looking for cheaper rates, 2nd class mail is the way to go. However, savings on franking can be lower than with first-class postage. Let’s take a look. 

Again, online rates can actually be cheaper than franking. However, for large letters, franking remains the cheapest way to go. 

Royal Mail Mailmark Franking Standard Charges 

There are dozens of ways to post mail with the Royal Mail. With franking, you get custom rates on all of them, including some hefty discounts.

Let’s take a look at the current rates: 

UK Signed 

UK Guaranteed Franked Rates

Guaranteed by 1 PM Franked Rates

Guaranteed by 9 AM Franked Rates

International Standard Franked Rates 

Online franked rates can save you as much as £7.40 per large letter sent. Standard international letters are also £5 cheaper with franked rates than with online rates or stamps. 

Getting The Best Rates With Franked Mail 

Franked mail is typically significantly cheaper than stamped mail or online rates. Even if you’re only sending standard envelopes, 4p per letter can add up. However, the biggest savings occur for large-volume large envelopes, which make up much of business mail. At an average of 40p per letter in savings over the online rate, your savings will rack up fast. Of course, franked mail is cheaper for letters and large letters no matter where you’re shipping to.

Still, franking can look complicated upfront. Luckily, once you get the hang of it, franking mail is simpler than buying online stamps and much faster than taking your post to the post office. 

Let’s take a look. 

Frank Your Mail 

Sort your mail by size, class, and department. If you have an automatic feed with differential weighing, you don’t have to sort by size.

Still, you’ll want to have different boxes for first class and second-class post. You’ll also want to keep international, signed-for, and other special posts separate. 

1. Sort posts by category, class, and shipping destination. Additionally, sort by weight if you don’t have a differential scale. You’ll get a fine if you frank incorrectly by size, weight, or destination. Then, frank each sorted pile separately.
2. Frank using your presets by passing mail through the franking machine. Machine instructions vary per machine. In addition, you may have to add credit from the machine or the online terminal before franking. 
3. Frank directly into marked trays for each class, category, and destination. Use the trays provided by your machine manufacturer or connect with your local post office about what to use. Normally, that’s no more than 80 large business envelopes per tray and no more than 320 standard letters per tray. 
4. Quality control franked mail as it comes off the franking machine. Check for: 
   • Visible labels 
   • Fully printed stamps
   • Correct franking
5. Sticker your mail as needed. For example, if you are using international air mail, you have to add an AIR MAIL to the top left corner. Alternatively, you could make sure your franking machine prints this on the envelope in the top left corner. Affix any relevant customs declarations such as CN22 or CN23 and fill out the electronic customs data. 

Presenting Franked Mail

Once your mail is franked, all you have to do is sort it. That means using either a pouch, tray, or bag depending on the volume of postage. You’ll receive these from your franking machine provider or directly from the post office. 

Make sure you sort letters by size and organize post so that addresses are facing the same way and franking marks are in the same corner. Then, bundle the letters together with an elastic band.

Standard pouches can hold as many as 200 standard letters or 45 large letters. Use separate pouches for standard and large letters, unless you have a very low volume of mail. 

• Red – First class letters
• Green – Second-class letters 
• White – Use these for international mail 
• Signed for Delivery and Custom Delivery – These should be presented loose, in a tray, with the addresses facing outward. 

If you have any other questions, you can simply ask your carrier at the time of collections. 

Collections vs Dropping Off Franked Mail 

Royal Mail strongly encourages using collections to ensure your mail is picked up and taken away on time. This limits unexpected sorting for the Royal Mail and offers added convenience for you.

Collection fees are also cheaper than what you’ll usually spend on labour sending someone to the post office, so setting up collections is a smart idea if you post at high volumes. 

If your business spends £20,000 or more with the Royal Mail each year, weekday collections are free. Plus, you’ll pay just £17.92 per additional collection you need. 

Keep in mind that you’ll also pay a yearly fee of £295 per floor that your postal carrier has to go up to collect your postage. Set up collections on the ground floor for the lowest rates! 

When do collections not make sense? If you’re sending 20 or fewer franked envelopes per day, you can simply use a franked mail postage box. You can also use a standard mailbox, providing you’ve used a red franking envelope. 

That’s it! You don’t have to do anything else to prepare your franked mail for postage. Of course, your individual franking machine will have its own instructions and programming to consider. However, you’ll set that up with the manufacturer or your supplier.

Good luck getting started!

In addition, most franking machines are leased for a monthly rate including supply, maintenance, inspection, and software updates. 

Those rates can be more affordable than buying a franking machine outright. In addition, because the market is so competitive, with 29 active suppliers and manufacturers in the UK alone, you’ll be able to negotiate rates lower by comparing quotes. 

Getting a quote on your franking machine can help you compare rates, features, and services included so that you get the best deal on your franking machine. 

Let’s take a look.

Top Cheapest Franking Machines in the UK

Franking machines are sold based on volume and capacity. The higher the volume of the machine, the more features it will have. Therefore, the cheapest franking machine will always be the smallest with the fewest features.

The cheapest franking machines in every category are listed below: 

• Cheapest Low-Volume Franking Machine – Quadient iX-7 Series £1,790
  Runner Up: Pitney Bowes (refurbished) DM60 for from £1,355
• Cheapest Mid-Volume Franking Machine – Quadient iX-5 MailMark £6,786
  Runner Up: FP PostBase Fusion Auto £11,000
• Cheapest High-Volume Franking Machine – Quadient iX-7 £15,537
  Runner Up: Quadient ix-9 £18,000+

Here, Quadient is the UK’s budget franking machine manufacturer. That doesn’t always mean they’ll have the cheapest franking machine – as you can still get refurbished and pre-owned models from other manufacturers for less. 

5 Tips For Comparing Franking Machine Quotes 

The best way to save on a franking machine is to compare quotes from different suppliers. Here’s what to watch out for when you do: 

1. Know Which Features You Need 

Franking machines come with a lot of different features. Figure out what you need upfront so you can decide what’s important and what to compare. 

• Volume/Capacity – Volume includes printing speed, cartridge size, and time the machine is intended to be in use. Look at your rough monthly volume and divide per day to get an idea of volume needs. 
• LPM – Suppliers make a big deal out of this. However, if you’re sending 400 letters per month, it’s not going to make too much difference whether you’re franking 20 or 35 letters per minute. Chances are the changeover times will take more time than that anyway. All Mailmark machines are in roughly the same LPM categories, so you’re not going to make any big wins by paying special attention here. 
• Printer Thickness – These are roughly comparable in most models. Low-volume models typically support up to 20mm but are more likely to offer 8-10mm. High volume typically goes up to 40mm. If you need to send large envelopes, pay attention here. 
• Scale Capacity – Most Mailmark franking machines include a scale but they range from 2 kg to about 15 kg. Look for a differential scale if you want to automatically frank envelopes based on weight. 
• Automation – The bigger your machine, the more automation it’s likely to have. Automatic feeders and envelope sealers can save you hours. So, they’re well worth investing in. 
• Digital Screens – Most mid-size and up models have digital screens. However, all models have online dashboards. Both options can be convenient, depending on how you frank your mail. For example, if you want to have selections and customization while franking mail, go for the digital screen. If you want a selection or programmed options like “Press 1 for account accounting mail”, you don’t need the screen. 
• Connectivity – Most machines offer connection over LAN. Some also include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The latter two are unnecessary unless you’re installing the machine in a hard-to-reach place. 
• Postage Minimums – All Mailmark machines allow you to add postage credit directly from the machine or online interface, paid directly to Royal Mail. Most will do so in multiples of £10 but some will have higher minimums. These are typically determined per manufacturer. 
• Extras – You can always get extras like department selections, cost tracking per account (even small machines can offer cost tracking for multiple accounts), etc. Consider what you need and prioritize that. For example, if you’re delivering post from multiple departments, cost-tracking could save you a lot of financial headaches.

Now that you know what you need, let’s take a look at some other considerations when comparing franking machine quotes.

2. Compare Hire and Buy Contracts

Make sure you ask for quotes with hire and buy options. 5-year lease options can be the cheapest way to go.

However, you’ll still want to look at other options. For example, if one supplier is willing to offer you a great deal on an upfront purchase, and another is willing to offer you a great deal on a maintenance and inspection contract, that might be the way to go. 

3. Look at what’s included in the contract 

Keep in mind that you’ll want to compare the cost of everything you need to frank mail. Normally, these are the following:

• Machine, with an expected lifespan of 5 years
• Labels and ink 
• Annual inspection
• Software updates
• Maintenance
• Warranty
• Training 

If one of these isn’t listed in your quote and you need it anyway, you’ll have to pay for that as an additional cost.

For example, an ink cartridge for a Quadient high-volume machine will cost £300-£600; for Pitney Bowes you can expect to pay £400+. If that’s included in the contract, that’s an additional cost you don’t have to worry about. 

4. Don’t Forget About Preowned Options 

Pre-owned franking machines can save you as much as 70% over the cost of buying new. However, actual savings depend on where you buy and the machine capacity. 

• Low-volume – average 30% discount over new 
• Mid-volume – up to 50% discount over new 
• High-volume – 30-70% discount over new 

Refurbished models also don’t have to add risk. For example, you can buy a manufacturer refurbished franking machine directly from Pitney Bowes for about a 20% discount over the new price. 

5. Look at Supplier Quality and Feedback 

Hardware isn’t everything. In fact, if you’re signing a 5-year contract with a supplier, the supplier’s reputation, customer service, and offerings might be more important.

Make sure you talk to the supplier, look at online reviews, and consider user satisfaction as part of choosing a maintenance and inspection contract. 

Compare Franking Machine Quotes and Save

Comparing franking machine quotes can save you a great deal on the total cost of your machine. Whether that means helping you get a better model for the price, reducing the total cost of ownership, or ensuring you get the most for your money, comparing your options will get you there.

Use the form below to request a franking machine quote. We’ll reach out to top suppliers and manufacturers that service your area, select the most competitive options, and pass the savings on to you.

Franking machines are often available for sale, new and refurbished. Here, you can expect low-volume models to run close to £3,000 depending on the model. For mid-volume, rates hover between £3,000 and £15,000. For high volume, you can expect to pay about £15,000-£35,000 depending on the brand. 

This guide will help you choose a franking machine that’s right for your mailroom and then get the best deal on it! 

Choosing A Franking Machine 

Franking machines come in every size, from models intended for just 50 letters a day to those that can handle 1,000+. It’s important to assess your needs before you start hitting the market, otherwise your options are going to be overwhelming. 

Assess Mailing Requirements 

Choosing the right volume franking machine for your needs is easy, you just have to look at how much mail you send. 

• 400-5,000 letters per month = low-volume machine
• 5,000-20,000 per month = mid-volume machine 
• 10,000+ per month = high volume machine 

You’ll notice there are some overlaps here. That’s because machines can vary a lot in size and capability. 

Consider Costs 

If you’re sending a franked first-class letter, you can expect it to be about 40p cheaper than stamps – without calculating time and labour. A good rule of thumb is to look at how many of those you send per month and multiply by 0.40 to get your maximum budget.

If you also send second-class, international, or even parcels, that calculation can become a lot more complex. However, for a standard business letter, it’s about 40p per letter. 

Making that calculation also allows you to decide what brand you can afford. For example, UK Royal Mailmark franking machines are manufactured by three brands: 

• Pitney Bowes – New machines cost £3,000-£32,000
  • Low-Volume – £3,000-£4,500
  • Mid-Volume – £12,500-£20,000
  • High-Volume – £25,000-£35,000
• FP – New machines cost £3,000- £34,000
  • Low-Volume –  £3,000-£5,000
  • Mid-Volume – £10,000-£18,000
  • High-Volume – £15,000-£34,000
• Quadient – New machines cost £1,790-£26,000
  • Low-Volume – £1,790-£3,500
  • Mid-Volume – £3,600-£14,800
  • High-Volume – £15,537-£26,000

In each case, you can easily select a brand based on your total budget. 

Choose Features 

Features almost always depend on what size machine you have. For example, you might like a digital screen, but chances are, you won’t get one until you move into a mid-volume machine.

Things to look out for include: 

• Software compatibility – Most manufacturers supply their own software. Most third-party suppliers will also deliver software as a package. However, if you need it to integrate with your existing mailroom solutions, you’ll want to pay attention to what the supplier is delivering. 
• Scales – Most franking machines come with integrated scales. However, they rarely top 5kg for a low-volume model and rarely 7kg for a mid-volume model. You might need an external scale. Mid and high-volume machines often come with differential weighing, which can save you hours on sorting mail based on weight or weighing it yourself. 
• Automation – Mid and high-volume franking machines typically come with automatic feeds, envelope closers, sorting, and other features. These can save you hours on your mail, so they can be well worth looking for. 
• Programming – Look for models that offer programmable labels, slogans, and departments. For example, with programmable departments, you can change the address and name on your postage label by pushing a button. 

The higher the volume of the machine, the more features it will offer. Some offer everything you need to automatically sort and send post. Others require mostly manual intervention. 

Where To Buy A Franking Machine 

Franking machines are available from 29 different sources in the UK. These include 3 manufacturers which all sell direct and 26 active third party suppliers. All other suppliers are not authorised, and you should not buy from them. 

Authorised Suppliers 

There are 27 authorised third party suppliers in the UK who are licensed to inspect, maintain, and sell franking machines. Each of them has a license for a specific franking machine manufacturer. For example, most have licenses for Quadient. Pitney Bowes is also very common. A small selection is also licensed for FP. 

Authorised suppliers are a great choice if:

• You’re trying to get competitive quotes from more sellers
• You want to buy preowned
• You want additional services like service contracts or other mailroom supplies 
• You’d like local service 
• You’d like a trial period with a machine to see if it’s a good fit for your needs. Not all suppliers offer this.

Manufacturers 

There are three manufacturers in the UK that make Royal Mail Mailmark franking machines. These include: 

• Quadient (Formerly NeoPost and Frama)
• FP
• Pitney Bowes

Each of these manufacturers offers direct sales, including 5-year financed contracts. Some, like Pitney Bowes, also offer manufacturer refurbished preowned models, although the discount won’t be as good as if you purchase from an independent supplier. 

Other Options 

You can always buy your franking machine from an aftermarket supplier. For example, online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon offer franking machines. Some office supply stores do as well. However, you’ll want to check which Mailmark the machine uses.

You’ll also want to be aware that these machines may not come with a warranty. So, if you buy a second-hand franking machine from an online marketplace, you’re solely responsible if it stops working after a few months. This option can be great in a pinch, but usually it’s riskier than most business owners are willing to take on. 

Getting The Best Deal On Your Franking Machine 

The franking machine market is highly competitive. Once you know what you want, you can shop around, compare quotes, and get the best bargain possible. 

Buying Preowned Franking Machines

You can buy a preowned franking machine to save anywhere from about 30% for a low-volume model to up to 70% for a high-volume model.

However, it’s important to buy your preowned franking machine from an authorised reseller. Why? Royal Mail updated the Mailmark in 2023, switching to a 2D barcode instead of a crown stamp. This means that any franking machine not updated since then may not actually be usable.

If you make your purchase from an authorised reseller, your franking machine is guaranteed to work with Royal Mail’s current Mailmark. 

Comparing Quotes 

Most franking machine sellers don’t publicly list prices. Pitney Bowes does, but those prices are above rates you commonly see on the market. This means that it’s important to compare rates as much as possible, so you know you’re getting the best deal. 

• Look at purchase and hire agreements, you might find hiring is cheaper with supplies and maintenance included.
• Request multiple quotes and let suppliers know you’re shopping around.
• If you find a better quote than a local company is offering, let them know, they might match it.
• Try to shop for all your mailroom supplies from one company, bulk purchases will often get you bulk discounts.

The best way to make sure you’re getting the best rates is to compare options from multiple suppliers. Use the form below and we’ll request competitive quotes from suppliers servicing your area and then send you the best. 

Once you’ve finished, all you’ll have to do is finish some paperwork to register your machine with Royal Mail, buy some credit, and you’re ready to get franking. 

Hiring a franking machine means you can take advantage of all-inclusive contracts, try out machines before you commit, or make sure that repair, maintenance, and replacement are not your responsibility. 

The UK franking machine market is highly competitive. Currently, there are 3 authorised franking machine manufacturers on the market. In addition, you’ll have a choice of 27 authorised third-party suppliers, who can inspect, maintain, and sell franking machines. 

Most of these companies make a profit by offering maintenance, supply, and inspection services. That means hire rates can be very competitive.

In fact, you can sometimes get lower hire and lease rates than you’d get from buying a machine outright. Why? Leases and rental contracts typically include supply, maintenance, and annual mandatory inspection plus software updates, so you won’t see any unexpected fees or costs. 

So, how much does it cost to rent or lease a franking machine? According to our research, it’s from about £19 per month. 

Low Volume Franking Machine Hire Rates

Low volume franking is typically designed for offices. Here, you get a capacity of up to about 100 letters per day. Often, you can frank all of those in just a few minutes.

These machines usually cost from about £19 per month without service or up to about £60 per month with an all-inclusive contract. 

What does that mean? Franked mail saves anywhere from about 4p to over £5 per item depending on size, weight, and shipping type, so you could easily recoup investment costs, while reducing labor spent on the same postage. 

• Pitney Bowes SendPro Mailstation – You can lease this machine from Pitney Bowes directly for £44 per month or £56 with all-inclusive service. You’ll also have to commit to a 5-year contract. This mini franking machine is designed to be cost-effective at about 50 first class letters per day. It also includes an integrated scale, label printing, and options to program in logos and slogans for your business. 
• Pitney Bowes R DM60 – If you want to go even cheaper, you can sign a lease contract for a refurbished DM60, also directly with Pitney Bowes. At £32 per month, it’s not the cheapest. However, you can drop that down to £17.99 by moving to a third-party supplier. This model also includes a scale, some custom logos, and support for up to 100 letters a day. 
• FP PostBase Mini – FP’s PostBase Mini is designed to process up to 24 letters per minute or a maximum of 100 a day. You can program it with custom logos and slogans. It also includes an integrated 2kg scale. You can hire it for about £20 per month but if you go all-inclusive, it can go up to £50. 
• Quadient iX-1 Series Franking Machine – As the most affordable franking machine on this list, the Quadient iX-1 stands out for small business owners looking to get started. You’ll be able to process up to 50 letters a day. In addition, you can add on a detachable scale. You can also program up to 10 slogans and logos for custom printing and automatically weigh and calculate rates for letters. Plus, with rates starting at just £19 per month for a new machine, this is the cheapest model on the market. 

Mid Volume Franking Machine Hire Rates 

Mid-volume franking is meant for larger offices, small mailrooms, and small postage centers. You can expect to be able to process 500-1,000 letters per day. Most cost from about £45 per month to rent but rates can go to £250+ when you look at all-inclusive.

Mid-volume machines also come with time-saving extras like envelope sealing, automation, and support for different branches and offices, so you can seamlessly switch to printing the right logos and addresses with just a single button push. Let’s take a look: 

• Pitney Bowes Send Pro C Auto with 7kg Weight Platform – The SendPro C is a mid-volume franking machine averaging £250 per month. This machine can also be paid for weekly with a 5-year contract right from Pitney Bowes. Of course, third-party suppliers are often cheaper, especially if you have a larger contract. This machine offers custom graphics, label printing, a 7kg scale, and letter sealing. 
• Quadient iX 5 Mailmark Franking Machine – Quadient’s line includes four different mid-volume franking machines, so you’ll have plenty of choices if you’re looking for a budget franking machine. However, the iX 5 stands out with multiple customizations – plus the most bang for your buck of any mid-volume franking machine. What else? With hire rates starting at £45 per month, it’s the cheapest franking machine in its class. Of course, rates normally hover around £65 and might go as high as £160 if you opt for the automatic feeder option with an all-inclusive contract. 
• FP PostBase Fusion Auto – FP’s Fusion Auto offers automatic sorting, differential weighing, letter sealing, and an automatic letter feeder. You also get a touchscreen, a programmable printer for graphics and slogans, and up to 10 different departments. Rates average £150-£200 with supply and maintenance included. However, FP doesn’t post rates, so it’s important to compare multiple suppliers to make sure you’re getting a bargain. 

High Volume Franking Machine Hire Rates

High volume franking machines handle busy mailroom needs. Typically, they’re rated for up to 1,000 letters per day.

In addition, you’ll get automation functions like sorting, sealing, 100+ department switches with programmable labels, multiple letter feeds, etc. That makes these machines ideal for enterprise businesses, organizations working with multiple postal carriers in addition to Royal Mail, and high-volume mailrooms.

Normally, hire rates hover between £400 and £600, but can drop to a third of that. 

• Pitney Bowes SendPro P3000 – At £860 per month with an all-inclusive contract from Pitney Bowes, the SendPro P3000 is one of the most expensive franking machines on the market. However, it’s also capable of handling up to 310 letters per minute. A digital touchscreen means you can easily integrate multiple carriers. You can also seamlessly switch between departments. The machine includes weigh, sort, seal, and customize envelopes, including in color, with a dual inkjet printer. 
• Quadient iX 7 – Quadient’s i7 is one of the cheapest high volume franking machines on the UK market. At an average of £500 per month, it’s significantly cheaper than the flagship Pitney Bowes. In addition, you can still process up to 300 letters per minute. Extras also include 15 job presets for postal carriers and business branches, dual inkjet printer, and up to 10 customized messages you can access with a button press. 
• FP PostBase One – This high-volume franking machine is intended as an all-in-one mailroom solution. It only handles 150 letters per minute. However, it offers more support for packages, with 7kg and 15kg scale, options to add carriers like UPS and FedEx, and labeling designed for packaging. You can normally expect rates to start at £600 per month. 

Franking Machine Hire Costs Breakdown 

Franking machine hire typically costs 10-40% more than the cost of buying the machine outright. However, if you do the math, rental and lease costs can end up cheaper than purchase costs – especially if you get a good deal. 

Let’s take a look at some of the factors to consider in total costs: 

*Lowest costs are for refurbished and pre owned models. 

Here, some costs will vary. For example, if you have a high volume of usage, supply costs can go up quite a bit.

If your machine breaks down and isn’t covered by warranty, you’ll have extra costs versus a hire contract where that would be covered. So, the lower monthly rate attached to a purchase contract might not be as attractive as it seems at first glance. 

FAQ

If you have more questions about rental and hire rates for franking machines in the UK, this FAQ should help: 

Is Franking Cheaper? 

Franking mail is cheaper than stamps if you frank at a volume that covers the cost of the machine.

For example, Royal Mail lists franked mail at up to 33% cheaper than stamps. In addition, you’ll want to calculate the cost of labor for stamping, going to the post office, etc. Specifically, look at the mail you send and compare franked rates versus stamped rates. 

For example, in 2025, the franked rate for a first class letter is 40p cheaper than the stamped rate. If you’re sending 20 a day, that’s £8 a day, or an average of £160 per month before looking at time and labor savings. If you can do that math upfront, you can pretty easily see what your budget for a franking machine is. 

Should I Purchase or Hire a Franking Machine?

In many cases, it makes more business sense to take out a lease. However, that’s not always the case. You’ll want to look at factors like supply, maintenance, annual inspection, repair, software updates, etc. 

It’s always a good idea to get quotes for both hiring and buying, compare options, look at all included costs and what’s covered, and then make a decision. Of course, if you want peace of mind and everything covered, e.g., supplies that show up when you need them, go with a hire contract. 

What’s the Best Franking Machine to Lease in the UK? 

There is no one best franking machine available. However, if you’re looking for the cheapest, go for Quadient. You can hire a new Quadient for as little as £19 per month. On the other hand, if you’re looking for solid machinery backed by one of the oldest brands in the country, Pitney Bowes is a better option. 

Either way, the franking machine market is highly competitive. Shop around, see what you can find, and try to get a better deal on your franking machine whether it’s a budget model or not. 

What’s Included with a Franking Machine Lease Contract?

Unfortunately, that depends a lot on the supplier. You’re going to have to read the fine print.

A basic hire contract is just a financed purchase program, except you don’t get to keep the franking machine at the end of it. All-inclusive contracts cover everything.

More and more suppliers are now sticking with all-inclusive contracts. However, most still have a selection of options. Either way, you’ll want to look at what’s included in the contract and then include what you get for the money. 

Consider:

• Software updates 
• Annual inspection
• Maintenance
• Repair 
• Supplies (Ink, labels)
• Setup
• Training

Can I Rent a Franking Machine Instead of Lease? 

Normally, you’ll have to commit to a lease for a franking machine. That means minimum contracts are probably going to be 6-12 months.

Many franking machine suppliers will try to lock you into a 5-year lease. That’s okay if you get good enough rates because it might be cheaper than switching providers every few years anyway.

However, it does mean that if you’re hoping to try a franking machine for a month to decide if you like it enough to buy, you’re probably out of luck. 

How Can I Get a Better Deal on My Franking Machine? 

The UK franking machine market is very competitive. That often means you can reduce rates by shopping around. You can also look at different package deals. For example, if your lease contract includes more services, more machinery, or refurbished models, you might get a lower rate. 

If you want the best rate for your franking machine lease, compare your options. Use the form below to request quotes, and we’ll request the most competitive lease rates from manufacturers and independent suppliers that service your area, compare, and send you the best ones.