Sarahs Finance World

A number of methods have been used since mail delivery began around the world over a century ago. In the 1840s the first postage stamps appeared in England and the United States. Before that a manual stamp was used as a method of franking, which means officially noting that the mailing charges due had been paid. Sometimes a government postal official would sign the letter or parcel as a means of franking.

The franking machine was developed to dispense printed postal stickers that could be affixed to letters, showing that the required postage amount had been paid. Franking machines could also be loaded with stamps to be dispensed as needed. In recent years the franking process has become automated and computerized, with letters passing through a slot in the machine as the specific paid postage amount is printed directly on them.

Modern franking machines can also print a postage due sign on letters before they are mailed, or with instructions to hold a letter at a post office close to the recipient. All this automation of the franking machine has allowed for much more volume to be processed and delivered quickly and accurately compared to the manual hand-franking done decades ago.