✓ Royal Mail Authorised Inspector since 2008 | Trading since 2005
Mailmark vs Stamps
Mailmark Franking Vs Stamps: Which is more Beneficial for UK Businesses?
We compare Mailmark franking and stamps on cost, professionalism, tracking and convenience, so you can see which is the smarter choice for your business.
What are stamps?
Stamps are adhesive labels used to indicate that postage has been paid on mail sent through a postal service such as Royal Mail. In the UK, stamps are issued by Royal Mail and can be used for both domestic and international mail. They come in various designs, sizes and denominations, reflecting the postage rates required for different classes of mail and package weights.
What is Mailmark franking?
Mailmark franking is the modern franking system introduced by Royal Mail that offers enhanced features compared to traditional town and crown franking and stamps. Using a franking machine with Mailmark technology, the system franks a 2D barcode to track and trace mail more accurately, while giving businesses a cost-effective, efficient and professional mailing solution.
The key differences between Mailmark franking and stamps
Physically, Mailmark franking and stamps are very different, but that is not where the differences stop. Below we cover the other key differences, including cost, convenience and tracking, that show why many UK businesses are making the switch.
Cost
Mailmark franking offers much lower postage rates than stamps on almost every Royal Mail service and product. Businesses save on nearly every item they send, especially with bulk mail, as Mailmark rates are discounted by Royal Mail. Stamps are typically more expensive, particularly for higher volumes of mail.
Professional appearance
The franking impression includes a 2D barcode plus the option of a company logo and/or return address. This looks far more professional and modern to your customers and partners, giving a polished, consistent brand image, which is especially valuable for small UK businesses building their brand. Stamps cannot convey the same level of professionalism.
Tracking & reporting
With Mailmark franking, the 2D barcode provides advanced tracking, letting businesses monitor the delivery status of mail using Royal Mail’s tracking services. Royal Mail also offers reporting features so you can track volumes and costs and spot areas to save. Stamps offer no such features.
Time & convenience
A franking machine franks mail far faster than stamping by hand, saving time and freeing staff to be productive elsewhere. You print postage directly onto envelopes or labels from your own office, removing the need to buy, store and manually apply stamps, which is inefficient for large-scale mailing.
How much can you save with Mailmark franking?
For example, when sending a First Class or Second Class Letter, 3p is saved on every letter. If you send 10 letters per day, that is 30p of savings per day. When sending a First Class Large Letter up to 100g, 44p is saved every time, so 10 large letters a day is £4.40 of savings. The amount you save depends on how much you send, but businesses make significant savings simply by using Mailmark franking.
Calculate how much you could save with a franking machine here.
| First Class Postage Rates | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Weight | Stamps | Mailmark™ Franking |
| Letter | 0-100g | £1.80 | £1.77 |
| Large Letter | 0-100g | £3.30 | £2.86 |
| 101-250g | £3.60 | £3.28 | |
| 251-500g | £3.60 | £3.30 | |
| 501-750g | £3.60 | £3.30 | |
| Small Parcel | 0-1kg | £5.45 | £5.45 |
| 1-2kg | £5.45 | £5.45 | |
| Medium Parcel | 0-1kg | £8.05 | £8.05 |
| 1-2kg | £8.05 | £8.05 | |
| 2-5kg | £10.05 | £10.05 | |
| 5-10kg | £10.05 | £10.05 | |
| 10-20kg | £15.45 | £15.45 | |
| Second Class Postage Rates | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Weight | Stamps | Mailmark™ Franking |
| Letter | 0-100g | 91p | 88p |
| Large Letter | 0-100g | £1.55 | £1.52 |
| 101-250g | £1.90 | £1.81 | |
| 251-500g | £2.40 | £2.30 | |
| 501-750g | £2.70 | £2.50 | |
| Small Parcel | 0-1kg | £4.25 | £4.25 |
| 1-2kg | £4.25 | £4.25 | |
| Medium Parcel | 0-1kg | £6.95 | £6.95 |
| 1-2kg | £6.95 | £6.95 | |
| 2-5kg | £8.75 | £8.75 | |
| 5-10kg | £8.75 | £8.75 | |
| 10-20kg | £13.15 | £13.15 | |
All prices in these tables are exempt from VAT.
How to transition to Mailmark franking
Transitioning to Mailmark franking from stamps is straightforward and takes a few key steps, so your business can take full advantage of the benefits and start streamlining its mailing operations.
1
Evaluate your requirements
Before transitioning, assess your business’s current mailing volume, costs and workflow. This will give you an idea of which franking machine will best suit you.
2
Pick your franking machine
Get in touch with Mailcoms, who will take your key details and recommend the perfect franking machine solution based on your mailing volume and costs.
3
Install the franking machine
Once you have chosen or upgraded to a Mailmark franking machine, Mailcoms will set you up with Royal Mail and help install it so you can start benefitting from franking.
4
Start using Mailmark franking
You will have fully transitioned to Mailmark franking and can train your staff, improve your mail operations and take advantage of all the Mailmark benefits.
Conclusion: Mailmark franking is the smart choice for UK businesses
For most UK businesses, especially those that send mail daily, Mailmark franking is by far the superior option. A franking machine is more cost-effective and efficient, and offers features such as tracking, a professional appearance and accounting functions that improve the entire mail operation. For businesses looking to grow or streamline, switching to Mailmark franking is a wise choice with both short-term and long-term benefits. Whether you send 5 items a day or 500, Mailmark franking is the clear winner.
Make the switch to Mailmark franking
Get an instant quote for a Mailmark franking machine, or call our team on 01543 572 776.