If you're looking for a way to reduce your business' mailing costs and save trips to the post office, chances are you've considered metered mail. Metered mail gives business owners an alternative to applying stamps to their postage.
Postage meters calculate an item's weight and print the exact postage directly onto it. The USPS generated $78.5 billion in revenue in 2022, according to last year's United States Postal Service Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report to Congress. Most of that revenue comes from business owners who need documents and marketing materials for daily operations. We know it can be confusing figuring out where to start in terms of which postage meter to invest in, so we'll outline our picks for the best postage meters for small businesses today.
There are numerous types of postage meters out there to select from. However, there are specific models and makes that we feel are a good fit for small to medium-sized businesses.
Regarding the cost of a postage meter, prices of equipment vary depending on features and add-on services but can range from $80 a month to $240 a month depending on the model and size of the equipment, the number of months leased for, and the features and services included.
Engineered with users in mind, this PostBase device has an icon-driven interface for easy use. New marketing opportunities with an integrated text message and QR code generator to print with your postage also allow for a professional business image. The Semi-Auto comes in two different configurations, the S3 and the S5. These postage machines can process up to 35 and 50 letters per minute.
Equipped with hand-free auto feeding, SealCheck envelope security, and top-of-the-line technology, this PostBase embodies an award-winning design that integrates seamlessly into any office environment with availability in five different designer colors. The top-of-the-line technology includes cloud-based analytics, advanced online account management, and scalable digital solutions. The Auto is available in two different configurations, the A5 and A7.
The FPi700 is a convenient device to pair with a postage meter. It's a small and mighty folder inserter that feeds paper, folds it, inserts it into an envelope, and then automatically seals it to ensure a simple and efficient mail creation process. It's capable of processing various media types, including but not limited to custom document and envelope sizes, perforated and pre-folded paper, and large envelopes. Other features include Smart Feeders, linking efficiency, increased security, and the ability to fold up to five pages in half.
At Usherwood, we understand the expectations and desires of what kind of postage meter you want for your business. We strive to ensure ease of use, simplicity, customization, and productivity for our clients when it comes to metered mail machines. As a family-owned, personalized, and professional mailing solution provider, we deem the postage meters beneficial to smaller businesses for the following reasons:
Many businesses upgrade to metered mail because of the savings it provides. With stamps, you must estimate how many stamps need to be included in a document or package when mailing. The estimation can lead to over-stamping postage and, thus, overpaying. Metered mail ensures everything you ship is weighed efficiently, and the cost aligns with the current USPS rates.
With a postage meter in your office, you no longer need to visit the local post office. Everything from weighing, pricing, and printing postage on what you need to mail is automatically done.
A business or customer's first impression of you may come from something they receive in the mail from you. An envelope from your company may be their first introduction to your brand. A postage meter can assist with keeping your mailings neat and professional looking.
Postage meters assist with sending out standard letter-size mail and packages, tubes, or larger envelopes. You can use metered tapes to be able to ship out a variety of media. You can get all the cost and convenience benefits you get with standard envelopes with every piece of mail you send out.
It's commonly known that metered mail is considered a higher priority than standard stamped mail. Postal carriers deliver metered mail faster than regular stamped mail. With faster delivery, your business could have happier business partners/customers and reduce missed opportunities.
Postage meters can print logos and even custom images on your envelopes. They can transform your envelopes into a mini billboard, which will make your business look more professional and increase brand impressions, and even promote topical information and sales.
We offer mailing machines, folder inserters, addressing systems, color envelope printers, stand-alone folders, USPS package shipping systems, UPS/FEDEX/USPS package systems, various mailing support, software, letter openers, and receiving systems. If you're interested in acquiring a postage meter for your business, now would be a good time, as USPS is making changes that will impact machines.
For more info on this topic, check out our article "Updated Postage Meters Required for 2024 IMI Standards". To learn more about how mail machines might be able to help your business' savings and productivity, connect with us today.