Last year, the United States Postal Service (USPS) processed 203 billion pieces of mail. That’s 667 million envelopes and packages each day- over 7,700 every second. A large percentage of this is from small business mailings- brochures, marketing materials, customer invoices- the mail is one of the fastest, easiest ways to connect with customers and clients.

 

Using a postage meter is one of the easiest ways to streamline your mailing efforts. Postage meters work like an in-office shipment center- you can pay for postage, shipments, and even advanced mailing options such as receipt of delivery and COD verification without a trip to the post office or maintaining an account with a private shipping company. Most meters are equipped with postal scales, which weigh the outgoing mail and assess exact postage charges. The postage machine itself stamps and postmark mailings at your office, charging postage costs to your meter balance. Meter balances can be prepaid or billed at the end of a certain time period, usually monthly.

 

Postal meters are the key component of any larger mailing system. The meter itself is leased, not purchased, and must be obtained from a provider approved by the USPS. Businesses often purchase additional equipment to work with the meter. Digital scales, shrink-wrap machines, and label printing equipment can turn your office into a full service mailing center- you can process mail more quickly and efficiently and save on postage and shipment charges.

 

Before you begin shopping for a postage meter, it helps to know the basics of how a mailing system works. This guide provides you with the information you need- how to compare features, options, and billing plans, as well as a few tips to help you choose the best equipment for your business mailing needs.