And if you're one of the companies that take advantage of direct mail, then you need to know about franking machines. They are machines that can save you over hundreds of pounds per year on mail -- and possibly hundreds of hours too. But how does this work and how much does a franking machine cost?

Read on to find out everything you need to know about franking machine prices and how much you can save exactly by using one.

Certain large businesses can send thousands of pieces of mail per day. This means they need franking machines that process hundreds of pieces of mail per minute.

In general, however, most small businesses tend to generate about 25-100 pieces of mail per day. So we've come up with three categories of franking machines that are much more suitable for these volumes.

Another factor that'll determine the cost of your franking machine is whether you'll be leasing it, renting it, or buying it.

If you're not sure how you feel about buying a franking machine yet, you can rent one to try it out first without committing to ownership. Or if you know you want one but simply cannot or prefer not to pay the full price, you can lease it and save money as you go.

For specific rental and leasing prices, you'll need to get in touch with us directly so we can determine the perfect plan for you. 

Whichever way you prefer to pay for it, however, don't forget that a franking machine is an investment. It takes time to see your savings but it will almost certainly pay for itself over time. Now, let us show you exactly how much a franking machine can help you save.

By franking your mail with a franking machine, you'll automatically qualify for discounts from Royal Mail. In addition, you can also claim back the VAT of all franked mail postages from HMRC. 

As of 2018, royal mail franked prices are 24% cheaper than normal stamps. This means for every £100 you spend on mail, you'll save £24, and for every £1000, you'll save £240. But to give you even more exact prices, here's a breakdown of all franked mail prices in each category.

As you can see, the savings on franked mail prices can be as high as 78p, and the more you frank, the more you'll save. 

In addition to the money you'll save from using a franking machine, don't forget that you'll also be able to save on labour costs and time. Without a franking machine, your staff might take several hours to get the day’s mail done depending on the amount of post you send.

With a franking machine, however, the process of sending out mail can be cut in half or less. All the user will need to do is place the mail on top, put it through the machine and it's franked. And if you'd like, you can even get a folder inserter -  machine that folds, inserts and seals your mail for you too - saving even more time. 

Last but not least, another benefit of having a franking machine is that it'll make your business look much more professional. Since the postmark will be printed instead of pasted on, your envelopes will look more official. This sends a subtle message to your clients that you are willing to invest in your business. 

On top of all that, many franking machines also allow businesses to print their logos and slogans onto their envelopes, which is essentially free marketing for your business, wherever your mail goes.

Now that you know all about franking machine cost and savings, we hope you'll consider getting one for your business. It'll allow your business to save a lot of time on mail, save you hundreds of pounds a year, and make your mail look more professional. The only question you'll ask yourself after you get one is why you didn't get one sooner. We also sell all the franking inks, envelopes and other consumables to keep you running and keep your mail going out the door on time.

If you'd like to speak to someone directly about franking machine prices or learn more about them, just message us, or give us a call on 0118 982 0988.