Franking Isn’t Just for Letters: How Franking Saves on Parcels

Franking isn’t only for letters – a franking machine can also cut the cost of posting parcels. Royal Mail offers franking discounts across letters, large letters and parcels, so businesses that send packets and small parcels can make real savings compared with stamps, especially online retailers shipping in volume.

Franking saves money on parcels too

Online shoppers and online businesses benefit in particular from franked parcel postage. A franking machine lets you weigh, price and frank parcels in-house at discounted rates, without a trip to the Post Office – and over time those savings help recover the original cost of the machine.

How Royal Mail parcel pricing changed (2015)

Back in 2015, Royal Mail restructured its second-class parcel pricing in ways that benefited franking machine users. These historical changes included:

• Lower prices for sending a second-class small or medium parcel weighing up to 2kg.
• The 1-2kg band was removed, charging all second-class small parcels up to 2kg the same rate.
• Larger small-parcel dimensions (introduced in October 2014) were retained – a small parcel measuring 45cm x 35cm x 16cm doubled the maximum volume, so bigger items could be sent at small-parcel prices.
• The 1-2kg price band for second-class medium parcels was removed, so a medium parcel up to 2kg cost the same as a 0-1kg parcel.

Postage rates change regularly, so always check the latest figures rather than relying on older prices. For current franking discounts, see our franking machines.

Mailmark means bigger savings

As well as standard franking discounts, Royal Mail’s Mailmark service offers businesses the chance to make further savings while presenting a more professional business image. Mailmark is Royal Mail’s barcode franking standard, uses blue ink and carries the best available franking rates.

FAQs

Can you use a franking machine for parcels? Yes. Franking applies to letters, large letters and parcels, so many businesses use a franking machine to save on parcel postage as well as letters.

Is franking cheaper than stamps for parcels? For many items, yes – Royal Mail offers reduced franking rates, and Mailmark users get the lowest available prices. Always check the latest Royal Mail rates for current figures.

What is Mailmark? Mailmark is Royal Mail’s barcode franking standard. It uses blue ink and carries the best franking rates.

View our range of franking machines to see how much you could save, or call us on 01543 572 776.