FP (Francotyp-Postalia), often called FP Mailing, is a German-based mailing solution company.
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.
| Model | Letters per Minute | Purchase Cost | Intended for |
|---|---|---|---|
| FP PostBase Mini | 24 letters per minute | £3,000 | Small Business/Office |
| FP PostBase Fusion Semi-Auto | 50 letters per minute | Quote Needed | Small-to-Medium Business/Office |
| FP PostBase Fusion Auto | 70 letters per minute | Quote Needed | Medium Business/Office |
| FP PostBase Fusion Advanced | 90 letters per minute | Quote Needed | Small Mailroom |
| FP PostBase Fusion A120 | 90 letters per minute | Quote Needed | Enterprise/Mailroom |
| FP PostBase One | 150 letters per minute | Quote Needed | Enterprise/Mailroom |
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.