FP Postage Meters Guide: Our Foolproof Guide

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Francotyp Postalia (FP) was founded in Germany in 1923. During the time since, it’s expanded operations to dozens of countries around the world, including a Canadian subsidiary headquartered in Concord, Ontario.

Its independent distributor network has the advantage of being backed by a major multinational that controls approximately a tenth of the global metered postage market.

Below, you’ll find an overview of some the company’s most popular machines.

FP Postage Meter Range

FP PostBase Mini and PostBase 30

Small, quiet, and efficient, the FP PostBase Mini is the ideal point of entry for small businesses with a low outgoing mail volume.

The PostBase Mini is the smallest FP postage machine available. The small size belies an outsize feature set, including a 17 letter per minute (LPM) processing speed, a five pound integrated scale, and a full-color display that’s as intuitive as a smartphone.

The PostBase 30, while still a low-volume machine, is more suitable for small businesses that have slightly higher mailing requirements than the PostBase Mini. This machine processes up to 30 LPM, and you can add up to 20 user accounts.

FP PostBase Mid-Volume Series

As your business grows, so will its postage volume. That’s when it’s time to step up from the PostBase Mini to something larger and more powerful.

The PostBase series is designated by numbers that hint at their processing speed. The PostBase 45, 60, and 125 are designed to scale with your business. While much larger than the PostBase Mini, they still place a premium on space, and not a millimeter is wasted.

With the larger size also comes a longer list of features. These include a higher-capacity integrated scale (up to 15 pounds), a higher number of departmental accounts, and an available feeder/sealer. Available in a number of colors and quiet when in use, these machines are meant to be as unobtrusive as they are useful.

FP PostBase ONE

Some businesses will find they need more volume and access to more robust solutions than the core PostBase series, but not quite as much as what’s afforded by the CentorMail MAX. FP PostBase ONE strikes a happy medium.

Its 150 LPM speed is a definite selling point. However, there’s much more to recommend it than speed. It’s a modular system that configures — and scales — rapidly. You can add only the components you need for a truly customized solution.

FP Customer Support

It’s one thing to have a good customer on boarding program, or to receive a quick response when you have an inquiry. FP takes their customer service approach, called “customer intimacy,” a step further.

It’s proactive, so you’re likely to hear from the company as they seek to ensure you’re getting peak performance from your product and see how they might improve their services.

FP also stays atop the latest Canada Post regulations and rates so its customers are always ready. Customer support is based in Canada, and is augmented by extensive online documentation. With MSDS literature, quick start guides, manuals, and even an informative blog, it’s easy to find answers to questions both common and uncommon.

Optional FP PostBase Peripherals and Add-ons

FP offers a number of peripherals and add-ons designed to fit seamlessly into your workflow:

  • Tabbing, Labeling & Stamping Machines
  • Postal Scales (up to 70lbs)
  • Folder-Inserters
  • Address Printers
  • Letter Openers

FP Software

iAddress is a SERP-certified automation and list management software. It manages presorting, address verification, list cleanup, and mailing list merges, and it’s compatible with high-speed address printers.

Navigator is the standard software for PostBase meters. If you upgrade to Navigator Plus, you’ll get more robust account management and granular reporting in addition to the usual account, setting, and meter management utilities.

MailOne is a new addition that integrates with Canada Post Parcel Services. Not only is it designed for use with PostBase meters, it also provides access to CPC discounted rates and confirmation services. You can also print compliant shipping labels, run comprehensive reports, import addresses, and more.

Written by:
Dan’s a Senior Writer at Expert Market, specialising in digital marketing, web design, and photocopiers, amongst other topics.
Reviewed by:
Heleana Neil, Business Services editor
Heleana Neil specialises in Business Services, managing the strategy and production of content for SMBs, helping businesses with the challenges and opportunities they face today. Covering everything from payroll to payment processing, Heleana uses her expertise to help business owners make better, informed decisions and grow their companies.