4 common franking machine mistakes (and how to fix them)

The four most common franking machine mistakes are franking the wrong date, missing the last post, paying too little postage, and paying too much. The good news is each is easily fixed – usually by re-franking correctly or adding a correction label – without losing your postage.

1. Wrong date

Put a single line through the wrong date in black ink, change the date on the machine and set the postage to zero, then re-frank the reverse of the envelope (or a franking label). Do not cover the original postage impression, only the wrong date.

2. Missing the last post

Re-frank the mail with the next working day’s date. If it is urgent, use a late meter posting envelope to send up to 30 letters and place it in a post box with a later collection time.

3. Too little postage

Add another franking impression for the difference in the bottom left-hand corner, or frank a label with the extra amount and place it to the left of the original mark so it is clear.

4. Too much postage

If you over-frank, you can reclaim the incorrectly paid postage through your franking account. Keep the item as evidence of the overpayment.

Avoid surcharges with the right supplies: franking labels and a Royal Mail size guide ruler. Questions? Call 01543 572 776.

FAQs

What is the most common franking mistake? Franking the wrong date. Fix it by lining through the wrong date in black ink and re-franking with the correct date, without covering the original postage.

How do I fix under-paid postage? Add another franking impression for the difference in the bottom left of the item, or apply a correctly valued franking label to the left of the original mark.

Can I get money back for over-franking? You can reclaim incorrectly paid postage through your franking account. Keep the mis-franked item as evidence.