Franking
Franking is an in-house, pre-paid postage solution. If you manage a mail room or send lots of different items, franking could be the solution for you
Speak to us about a business account
Sending over 20 parcels a week? Get discounts, benefits and more with a Royal Mail business account.
Some of our prices are changing, please visit royalmail.com/prices2026 for more details.
What is franking?
Franking is a pre-paid postage option where a franking mark is printed directly onto the envelope or a label (for parcels).
It's a flexible way to pay for postage, you can manage your spend and give your mail a professional image.
Ready to get started?
Already a franking user? Visit our franking help & support hub
Franking machines can process huge volumes of mail quickly and accurately.
Send letters, parcels and international mail with no restrictions on minimum or maximum postage volumes.
As it's a pre-paid, self-service way to post, you can manage your spend and access a wide range of both letter and parcel services.
Franking means your post will always have a professional finish. Impress your customers by also including your company’s logo on your items.
Franked mail can now be posted up to 7 days after the day a customer has printed their meter impression.
FAQs: Changes to Meter Indicia / Labels for Special Delivery Guaranteed® and Royal Mail Signed For® (Mar-22)
1D Indicia FAQspdf, 270.11 KB (March 2022)
API FAQspdf, 122.37 KB (March 2022)
How to start franking
Use our list of authorised manufacturers to lease or buy your franking machine. Royal Mail does not recommend one company over another.
Your licence will provided by your franking provider.
Your can pay for your franking postage with Direct Debit, credit card and credit accounts with deferred payment terms.
You can pay for a wide variety of mail with franking, including Special Delivery Guaranteed, international and one-off business collections.
These services are available through franking:
UK mail
1st and 2nd Class
1st and 2nd Class Signed For
1st and 2nd Class Prepay
Business Mail Advanced
Special Delivery Guaranteed
International mail
International Economy
International Standard
International Tracked
International Tracked & Signed
Franking prices wallchartpdf, 594.65 KB
To qualify for savings and avoid penalties, you must separate your mail by UK/international destination, and then by product and class.
Already using a franking machine?
Upgrade your machine
If you already have a franking machine, you can upgrade your software or lease or buy an enabled machine. Just contact your manufacturer or independent supplier to find out more.
Machine maintenance
Maintenance of franking machines is carried out by Royal Mail authorised providers.
Choose from our list of authorised inspectors, maintainers and repairers. Royal Mail does not recommend one company over another.
Apply to become a franking inspector
Franking prices
Royal Mail Mailmark franking pricespdf, 594.65 KB
Legal scheme for franking letters and parcelspdf, 123.11 KB
