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Mail
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Preparing franked mail.
Before you begin, make sure your franking machine price and date is set correctly and you’ve got all you need to carry out your mailing.
Envelope Information
You can frank onto envelopes of
almost any size or colour, but to make sure a clear, legible franked print
we recommend using labels on coloured or printed envelopes or packets.
Appropriate labels are available from www.franking-labels.co.uk.
Setting your machine
Always set your machine to zero (where possible) and do a test print before you begin – this way you can be sure your machine is set to the correct date and you have enough ink in the cartridge or print head.. The impression should be clear and complete, and positioned in the top right hand corner of the envelope. If you’re using labels, they must be complete, and display a complete & legible print. If you want to frank mail in advance, or after the last acceptance or collection time of the day, forward the date on your machine to the next day. It’s not possible to use a franked impression to prepay return items to your company, because of the time sensitive nature of franking. However, it’s always sensible to include a return address on your envelopes in case items are undeliverable.
Printing specifications
All franking marks must be printed
in red ink, unless otherwise specified.
Franking marks must be clear and complete, and printed in the top right-hand
corner of your items. Your franking Manufacturer/Supplier can discuss
your return address or ‘logo block’ with you.
Presenting franked mail
Low Franked Mail / Late Meter Posting Envelopes
You can palce your low folume franked mail or late franked mail into 'Late Meter posting Envelopes' and post them in a normal 'pillar' or Royal Mail Post Box. Late posting envelopes and low volume envelopes are available from www.meter-envelopes.co.uk.
Always try to sort your mail into
bundles of First and Second Class Letters, Large Letters and Packets.
Make sure each item’s address is facing upwards, and each franking impression
is in the top right-hand corner. Secure each bundle with an elastic band
where possible.
Red & Green Pouches
Royal Mail will supply you with
pouches to present your bundled mail in.
Red pouches are for First Class and small amounts of Airmail, and Green
pouches are for Second Class mail.
Always make sure you use the right coloured pouch for the service you
require - and if possible, use a different pouch for each envelope size.
Standard pouches are designed to hold Letter and Large Letter envelopes,
and can take around 200 Letters, or 45 Large Letters if packed correctly.
Other pouches are available for specific envelope sizes and services,
including white pouches for larger volumes of International items (Airmail).
Bags
If you’re sending large amounts
of mail, you can present it to us in mail bags. You must still sort your
mail by class and service, and bundle it accordingly.
Bags must be labelled with the class and service, and secured with First
or Second Class neck ties to identify the contents.
Once packed, bags must be easily moveable and weigh no more than 11 kg.
Trays and containers
If you’re sending very large volumes
of Letters or Large Letters and suitable vehicle access is available,
you can present your mail in trays or containers.
If you use this method, there is no need to secure your mail in bundles,
however, but it must still be segregated by class and service.
Make sure that any Large Letters are lying flat in the container, and
that standard Letters are stacked (with each address facing the same way
and the franked impressions in the top right-hand corner). Trays can hold
up to 340 Letters or 80 Large Letters - don’t use them if you’re posting
Packets. Once packed, trays or containers must be easily moveable and
weigh no more than 10 kg.
Pouches, trays and containers are provided to you free of charge. Please
contact Royal Mail Customer Services on 08457 950 950.
Posting franked mail
Franked mail must be posted in the area shown on the franking impression, and on the date it is franked. You can choose from a range of different posting methods including the use of Business Post Boxes®, Post Office™, Royal Mail Enquiry Offices, Royal Mail Mail Centres and Royal Mail’s Customer Collection service.