Mailing machines are a must in any modern office. But when you start to look at the dizzying number of models available, you can quickly lose track of what exactly your office needs. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be that hard: most mailing machines fit into either low, medium, or high volume categories, and as long as you know which category you need, you’re unlikely to go wrong.
Here’s an overview of the three mailing machine categories, and what kind of business they’re best for:
Low Volume
Low volume mailing machines may be small, but they’re still incredibly helpful. Along with a scale, they handle your basic processes: calculating shipping, printing postage labels, and automatically sealing envelopes. They can add the labels onto those envelopes as they pass through. You’ve got your basic mailroom duties covered.
The reason they are low volume, however, is their speed. Many low volume machines can only process 20 letters per minute (LPM), and they tend to max out at 40 or 50 LPM. Additionally, sizes and options are limited. These machines won’t be stuffing mailings for you, and generally handle only a few standard envelope sizes (with a relatively small “thickness” limit). They are ideal for small to medium businesses that do not send out mass mailings, or that outsource their mass mailings.
Mid Level
Mid-level mailing machines are essentially a larger, faster version of the entry level machines. They do the same basic duties, but they do them better. In addition, most mid-level machines (and above) now come with impressive digital support: better touchscreen displays for easy use, software that links them to office computers, or apps so you can track postage from your phone. This really does make the machines handier for the office manager.
The machines will handle the same basic envelope sizes as a low volume machine, but can tolerate much thicker envelopes. They also move a lot faster, at anywhere from 75 to 140 LPM. They are good for medium businesses that send out business communications every day and occasional large mailings. They are not ideal for large mail marketing efforts.
High Volume
High volume machines are hard to sum up because they offer such a wide variety of options. Suffice it to say that they are designed to manage large mailing operations, often with multiple feeders and the ability to link up with other mailing devices. Speeds on these machines are seldom less than 100 LPM and can go as high as 300 LPM. They can handle larger overall envelope sizes, easily handle mixed mail sizes, and can work with mailings nearly an inch thick.
These are the machines that are recommended for large businesses or any company that sends out regular mailings.
What kind of mailing machine does your business need?
Here’s an overview of the three mailing machine categories, and what kind of business they’re best for:
Low Volume
Low volume mailing machines may be small, but they’re still incredibly helpful. Along with a scale, they handle your basic processes: calculating shipping, printing postage labels, and automatically sealing envelopes. They can add the labels onto those envelopes as they pass through. You’ve got your basic mailroom duties covered.
The reason they are low volume, however, is their speed. Many low volume machines can only process 20 letters per minute (LPM), and they tend to max out at 40 or 50 LPM. Additionally, sizes and options are limited. These machines won’t be stuffing mailings for you, and generally handle only a few standard envelope sizes (with a relatively small “thickness” limit). They are ideal for small to medium businesses that do not send out mass mailings, or that outsource their mass mailings.
Mid Level
Mid-level mailing machines are essentially a larger, faster version of the entry level machines. They do the same basic duties, but they do them better. In addition, most mid-level machines (and above) now come with impressive digital support: better touchscreen displays for easy use, software that links them to office computers, or apps so you can track postage from your phone. This really does make the machines handier for the office manager.
The machines will handle the same basic envelope sizes as a low volume machine, but can tolerate much thicker envelopes. They also move a lot faster, at anywhere from 75 to 140 LPM. They are good for medium businesses that send out business communications every day and occasional large mailings. They are not ideal for large mail marketing efforts.
High Volume
High volume machines are hard to sum up because they offer such a wide variety of options. Suffice it to say that they are designed to manage large mailing operations, often with multiple feeders and the ability to link up with other mailing devices. Speeds on these machines are seldom less than 100 LPM and can go as high as 300 LPM. They can handle larger overall envelope sizes, easily handle mixed mail sizes, and can work with mailings nearly an inch thick.
These are the machines that are recommended for large businesses or any company that sends out regular mailings.
What kind of mailing machine does your business need?