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Postage meter features and components

The postage meter itself is just one part of a mailing system that may include a base, a scale, and other add-ons for handling your mail. The dealer you work with should help you determine which pieces you need, depending on the volume and type of mail you send.

Postage meters

The meter allows you to choose a specific amount of postage, then prints it on an envelope. Today's electronic postage meters print what's called an "Information Based Indicia" in place of a stamp. It includes a 2-dimensional bar code that encodes information about what type of meter was used, the date it was stamped, and the zip code it was sent from.

The meter is the only part you have to lease, but most businesses choose to lease the entire system, rather than purchasing some parts and leasing others.

Postage scales

If you want to save money, you can buy an old-fashioned manual scale for $10, but if you're investing in a postage meter, it probably makes sense to upgrade. Electronic scales are not much more expensive, are more accurate, and can be updated to reflect changing postal rates.

For offices that do a steady volume of mail, the most efficient option is to get a scale that's integrated with the postage meter. This cuts out the manual step of entering the required postage on the meter.

Postage meter bases

The postage meter base is where most of the performance-enhancing features come into play. The base is what does most of the work of handling the envelopes. It can include a feeder that lets you drop down a stack of envelopes and pulls them through one by one, a sealer that moistens and closes the envelopes after they're metered, and/or a stacker that collects the mail pieces when they're finished.

Most of these pieces are modular - you can choose just the ones that matter to you. If you send mailings of 100 pieces or more, getting a complete mailing system can be a huge timesaver. If you're not sure about how much of a system you need, talk to dealers about starting with a relatively simple postage meter, then upgrading if needed. Some dealers will make this option available as a standard part of their contracts.