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Information on Postage Meters

A postage meter is a mechanical device used to apply a specific amount of postage to a package that is intended to be mailed. In the United States, these meters are regulated by the U.S. Postal Service.

History
- Aurthur Pitney obtained his first mailing system patent in 1907 and the Pitney-Bowes Postage Meter Company created the Model M Postage Meter in 1920.
Features
- Modern postage meters allow a user to add postage to a package by telephone, pre-paid cards, or online.
Types
- Postage meters have been transformed over time. Prior to 1999, mechanical meters had to be physically taken to the post office. Since that time, digital, Internet, and stamp-based meters have been invented.
Considerations
- Postage meters must be used in conjunction with other postal equipment, including a base, postage scale, feeder, sealer, stacker and tape dispenser.
Fun Fact
- Postage is sometimes referred to as franking, which refers to any and all markings on a parcel or stationary.

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