How To Fix Three Common Franking Mistakes

If you use a franking machine to frank and send your mail – and we advise that you do – please note that they are not perfect. Even the newest franking machine on the market is not foolproof from making the odd mistake. There are times when the mail will be franked incorrectly and when this happens it needs to be fixed quickly.

Fortunately fixing franking mistakes are quite easy and quickly to do. Depending on your franking machine, the way of fixing the issue may vary. Please take a gander at our instructions on fixing three common franking mistakes.

Franking The Incorrect Date!

Ensuring you frank the correct date on your mail is very important. The reason being that it helps ensure proper processing and billing of your mail can occur. Franking the incorrect date happens quite often, but the first thing to do is stop processing your mail immediately.

If you are using a Mailmark franking machine, do the following:

1. Using black ink, draw a line through the incorrect date.

2. Choose Zero test print’ on the franking machine and check that the date is correct.

3. Re-frank the envelope, but with the correct date this time! Either frank in the bottom left hand corner of the envelope or frank a franking label and place this on the envelope to the left of the original impression.

If you are using a Smart franking machine, do the following:

1. Using black ink, draw a line through the incorrect date.

2. Choose Zero test print’ on the franking machine and check that the date is correct.

3. Re-frank the envelope, but with the correct date this time! Either frank in the bottom left hand corner of the envelope or frank a franking label and place this on the envelope to the left of the original impression.

4. You will need to complete a test print.

5. You will then need to set the postage to £0.00.

Didn’t Pay Enough!

When you accidentally frank your item(s) with too little postage, you can fix this mistake by simply re-franking the mail piece(s). If you are using a Mailmark franking machine, do the following:

1. Using black ink, cross through the 2D barcode impression so that it is unreadable. Do not cross through the price you paid.

2. Write your initials.

3. Re-frank the envelope, but with the extra amount you wish to pay! Either frank in the bottom left hand corner of the envelope or frank a franking label and place this on the envelope to the left of the original impression.

If you are using a Smart franking machine, do the following:

1. Simply frank the mail item again with the extra postage.

2. Re-frank the envelope, but with the extra amount you wish to pay! Either frank in the bottom left hand corner of the envelope or frank a franking label and place this on the envelope to the left of the original impression.

Paid Too Much!

On the other hand you may have accidentally paid too much postage for your mail. Correcting this mistake is the simplest of them all. It doesn’t matter what kind of franking machine you are using, follow these steps:

1. Do not post the item(s).

2. Remove the contents of the item and start the entire process again with a new envelope.

3. Send any unused franking items to The Royal Mail.

Franking machines are great pieces of equipment to use and they offer many benefits to businesses. Should you make a franking mistake, like the ones mentioned above, do not panic. Simply correct the mistake and move on.

If you are interested in getting a franking machine or upgrading 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 20,000 customers nationwide and we can supply you with our very own range of models.