Physical mail is a vital tool for a variety of New England and Florida businesses. Specifically for managing contracts, statements, invoices, and even marketing materials. Everyone is familiar with postage stamps, but still, you may find yourself wondering, what does metered mail mean? Metered Mail is a streamlined way for managing your outgoing mailing processes. It refers to any piece of mail that displays evidence of pre-paid postage printed directly onto the envelope or label by a postage meter.
This differs from traditional mailing systems, where you would simply stick a traditional stamp onto your mail. With metered mail options, you can work through a trusted company to “meter” or imprint the correct postage right at the office. This process is a game-changer for office productivity, as it saves valuable time, helping manage mailing costs and providing a professional, uniform look for your professional mail.
How Does Metered Mail Work?
To integrate the metered mail process, businesses invest in a postage meter that connects directly to their postage account. From there, the postage meter enables controls that allow the user to print the exact postage amounts in accordance with the current postal rates. You do not have to worry about inaccurate readings, as modern meters will automatically update the rates through the provider’s software. Once your piece of mail is ready to be sent, the meter prints an official indicia (IMI) indicating that the postage has been paid. It is as simple as that!
The crucial part in ensuring a smooth mailing transition is to partner with a trusted provider like BDS. If you purchase your postage meter through an unauthorized reseller, you risk a poor return on your investment due to incorrect postage rates, slow print speeds, and overall performance reduction. BDS understands that offices are becoming predominantly digital, and we ensure that even physical mailing tasks are able to integrate smoothly with digital mail solutions. Many of the modern systems we offer integrate seamlessly with digital mail solutions, allowing your organization stronger control over tracking mail volumes, generating reports, and analyzing spending.
What is The Difference Between Metered Mail & Stamped Mail?
To put it simply, stamped mail refers to the traditional mailing process we are all familiar with. This is when a person from the company physically applies postage stamps to each envelope. Although this process has been standard for decades, it is a process that is struggling to keep up with the latest office innovations. The process is time-consuming and leaves you vulnerable to overpayment if using incorrect denominations.
In contrast, metered mail is a way of the future. It is by far a stronger option for high-volume offices seeking stronger efficiency and cost control. The process is super precise, as it utilizes innovative technologies to ensure it calculates exact postage rates for each piece. To ensure alignment, the process will provide accurate rates based on the size, weight, and destination of your mailing piece. This becomes especially beneficial to offices that are sending a high volume of mail, because of the measurable cost savings over time.
Beyond cost, investing in metered mail is also more secure, which is critical when sending mail with potentially sensitive information involved. The indicia include tracking information which reduces the risk of lost or mishandled mail while being sent. Professionalism is key to greater business success, and we guarantee that the postage meters offered by BDS can create a more consistent, polished look to your mail.
Integrate Innovative Mailing Solutions with BDS Today
While digital communication dominates much of today’s business world, physical mail is still a standard. And to ensure your business is moving in the right direction, it is critical to integrate a system that can confidently handle both the traditional and innovative makings of your office systems. As the #1 local trusted print technology provider, BDS is confident in our ability to build scalable mailing solutions that simplify your daily mailing needs and help you save significantly in your budget.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does metered mail help businesses save money?
A: Metered mail eliminates the guesswork in postage. By calculating exact costs for each letter, flat, or package, companies avoid overpaying stamps or outdated rates. The system also reduces waste—no more leftover or expired stamps—and streamlines mailing workflows, saving both time and labor. Over the long term, these efficiencies translate into measurable cost reductions for businesses that send mail regularly.
Q: Is metered mail a good option for small offices or only large companies?
A: Metered mail benefits organizations of all sizes. While large companies often see the biggest cost savings from volume, small and mid-sized offices value the convenience and control it offers. Instead of making frequent post office trips, employees can meter and send mail directly from the office, helping them focus on more critical tasks. Plus, modern systems scale easily meaning small offices can start simply and expand their capabilities as mailing needs grow.
