Quadient is one of the big three authorised franking machine manufacturers in the UK. If you choose to frank mail with the Royal Mail, it’s one of the three manufacturer options you’ll have to choose from.
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.
| Model | Letters per Minute | Purchase Cost | Intended for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quadient iX-1 | 18 letters per minute | £1,790 | Small Business/Office |
| Quadient iS-290i | 18 letters per minute | £1,798 | Small Business/Office |
| Quadient IS-280C | 18 letters per minute | £1,890 | Small Business/Office |
| Quadient ix-3 | 45 letters per minute | £3,085 | Small Mailroom |
| Quadient iX-5 | 75 letters per minute | £6,786 | Mid-size business/Mailroom |
| Quadient iX-7 | 175 letters per minute | £13,237.20 | Mid-size business/Mailroom |
| Quadient iX-9 | 300 letters per minute | Quote Needed | Enterprise/Mailroom |
| Quadient iS-600 | 300 letters per minute | Quote Needed | Enterprise/Mailroom |
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.