Packaging Solutions for Businesses: What Works Best with Franking Machines?

The best packaging to use with a franking machine depends on what you are sending. Business envelopes can be franked directly, while padded envelopes, mailing bags, cardboard envelopes and boxes are best paired with a franked label – so you still benefit from the lower franking postage rates whatever the size or shape of your item.

Choosing the right packaging supplies and materials is essential for businesses that send a lot of mail and use a modern franking machine. With the right combination of packaging, you can optimise your costs, streamline your mailroom processes, and ensure all items arrive safely – no matter what you are sending. In this blog, we explore the best packaging solutions that work effectively with all franking machines, helping you to achieve professional, efficient and cost-effective mailing.

Business Envelopes for Letters and Invoices

The first and most obvious packaging supply to use with a franking machine is the business envelope. Our range of gummed envelopes and self seal envelopes are perfect for businesses that send regular letters, mailshots or invoices. Whether you send one envelope a day or one hundred, our business envelopes work seamlessly with all franking machines, allowing the machine to apply its impression and provide you with the franking savings.

Padded Envelopes for Smaller Items

Padded envelopes, also known as bubble lined mailers or bubble mailers, are ideal for sending smaller, sometimes more delicate items such as electronics, jewellery, or documents that require a little extra protection.

The built-in bubble wrap provides cushioning, and because these envelopes are smaller in size, they are designed to comply with the Royal Mail PiP sizes, allowing accurate postage to be applied.

At Mailcoms, we offer a range of padded envelopes. We have standard gold and white bubble lined padded mailers, or if you wish to be more eco-friendly, we have a range of honeycomb padded mailers and paper padded mailers.

To use these with your franking machine, simply frank a franking label and apply it to the padded mailer. This will allow you to benefit from the lower franking rates.

Mailing Bags for Lightweight, Non-Delicate Items

A packaging supply that often gets overlooked when using a franking machine is the mailing bag. Mailing bags are an excellent choice for lightweight items that do not require much protection, such as clothing, soft goods and unbreakable items. They are durable, water-resistant, and add very little to the total mailing weight, which is cost-effective for postage.

At Mailcoms, we offer a range of mailing bags to suit your needs. We have paper mailing bags and sugar cane mailing bags if you wish to be more eco-friendly.

Although mailing bags typically cannot be franked directly, this does not mean you cannot use a franking machine to benefit from the lower postage rates. Simply frank a franking label and apply it to the bag.

Cardboard Envelopes for Documents and Photos

For mailing documents, certificates, photos and other flat items that should remain crease-free, cardboard envelopes or rigid mailers are another choice. Cardboard envelopes prevent bending and offer a sturdy, professional, protective layer.

These mailers are also recyclable, making them an eco-friendly option for businesses focusing on sustainability. They are smaller in size, meaning they are designed to comply with the Royal Mail PiP sizes, allowing accurate postage to be applied.

At Mailcoms, we offer a range of cardboard envelopes. We have corrugated pocket envelopes, capacity book mailers, or if you wish to give your customers a more luxurious feel, pillow envelopes are available.

To use these with your franking machine, simply frank a franking label and apply it to the cardboard mailer. This will allow you to benefit from using a franking machine while saving on your postage.

Boxes for Bulkier, Fragile Items

Corrugated cardboard boxes are essential for shipping bulkier items, such as multiple products, larger products and fragile goods that need extra protection. Boxes of all styles provide excellent durability and can be paired with packing materials like bubble wrap, packaging tape and warning labels to ensure secure shipping every time.

Cardboard boxes are also recyclable, making them an eco-friendly option for businesses focusing on sustainability. All of our boxes are designed to comply with the Royal Mail PiP sizes, allowing accurate postage to be applied. We have Large Letter Boxes, Small Parcel Boxes and Medium Parcel Boxes available.

At Mailcoms, we offer a range of different boxes including standard brown boxes, white boxes, single walled boxes, double walled boxes, telescopic boxes and much more.

To use a box with your franking machine, simply frank a franking label and apply it to the box. This will allow you to benefit from using a franking machine while saving on your postage.

Custom-Branded Packaging for Enhanced Professionalism

Franking machines also enable businesses to add a branded touch to their packaging. Not only can the franking impression include a custom logo, return address or slogan, but the packaging you use can also be custom-branded.

With a range of custom printed boxes, mailers, bags and envelopes available, your business can always make an excellent first impression on your customers. Companies can create a seamless look by printing their logo directly onto their packaging materials while using a franking machine to benefit from the lower postage rates.

Visit our sister company Fast Printed Packaging to find out more about custom printed packaging.

Conclusion

Selecting the right packaging supplies can make a significant difference to both the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of your mailing operations. From padded envelopes and mailing bags to custom-branded packaging, the materials you choose should align with the contents, shipping requirements and brand image you wish to provide. With the right packaging solutions and a reliable franking machine, your business can ensure secure and professional deliveries every time.

At Mailcoms, we offer a range of packaging supplies and franking machines suitable for businesses of all sizes. View our range of packaging supplies here. If you are interested in getting a franking machine or wish to upgrade to a Mailmark franking machine with even lower prices available, then please view our franking machine page here or call us today on 01543 572 776.

We are a Royal Mail Authorised Independent Inspector & Maintainer of franking machines with over 40,000 customers nationwide and we can supply you with our very own range of models.

FAQs

What packaging works best with a franking machine? Business envelopes can be franked directly, while padded envelopes, mailing bags, cardboard envelopes and boxes are best used with a franked label so you still benefit from the lower franking postage rates.

Can you frank a parcel or mailing bag directly? No. Items such as mailing bags, boxes and padded mailers usually cannot be franked directly. Instead you frank a label and apply it to the packaging to benefit from the lower franking rates.

Does packaging affect the postage you pay? Yes. Many envelopes and boxes are designed to comply with Royal Mail PiP (Pricing in Proportion) sizes, which helps you apply accurate postage and avoid overpaying.