Compare Online Postage | How To Print Postage

If you need to mail a letter or package, it is no longer necessary to go to the Post Office to purchase stamps or postage. There are many ways in which you can print your own postage on your envelopes and packages from a printer at home or the office. There are several companies which allow you to sign up with which offers these services. Here’s a brief rundown.

Stamps.com – This company is one of the most well known and established company of its type. It is fully approved by the postal service to provide you with the capabilities to print your own postage.

You can enroll on Stamps.com online and they will supply you with a start up package which normally contains postage credits, self adhesive labels to prints postage for packages, and a handy electronic scale.

You set up your account on a secure website and can tie it to a credit/debit card in order to have the required postage deducted. This service has a small monthly membership fee following the introductory period.

However online postage is discounted 5% to 10% below the rates you would pay at the Post Office. So the savings received usually more than make up for the monthly costs. Plus you have the added savings and convenience of not having to travel to the Post Office so often just to purchase stamps, etc.

Endicia.com – This online service has many features similar to Stamps.com. However the software is little more difficult to use. Also you would have to purchase your own electronic scale if you wanted to make certain you applied the correct amount of postage. Stamps.com provide a nice scale to you at no cost which is a great convenience and money saver over the long run.

Pitney Bowes – This is aimed primarily at commercial businesses. However they do have a service option which can be suitable for the average consumer. Bear in mind however that you have to lease an electronic postage meter. At the time of writing the lowest cost plan is $17.99/month for this meter, check their website for current pricing.

They also have an early termination clause which means you’ve got to pay a lump sum if you decide that the service isn’t for you within a given period of time. This type of thing can be a problem for people who aren’t sure or don’t need to print out very much postage on a regular basis.

The company also does not discount many types of postage including priority and express mail. Other companies like Stamps.com do have special discounts available for these types of services which can be a nice savings over the long run.

The one advantage of the Pitney Bowes service however is that you don’t need a separate printer. The postal meter will print the postage to self adhesive labels or you can run the envelope directly through the meter. This is especially helpful if you send many letters or packages per month.