Print your own postage?

[windywillow]

Has anyone printed their own postage on their computer, rather than use stamps? I am thinking of giving it a go for my Christmas cards this year. Is it easy to do for someone who is not particularly good with computers?

How do you pay? Do you need to use special labels? Is the facility open to individuals, or is it just for companies?

Any advice given would be appreciated.

Many thanks.

[JoolsTwo]

I use it when sending things abroad. Just register on the Royal Mail site, it's quite easy to follow the instructions. You can register a credit/debit card on line or just pay for each transaction. You put the weight, address and in the case of overseas mail it adds your address. You can even fill out the customs form and it will print that for you too. Then you select the size lable you want and print it. I print on ordinary paper and use selotape to attach the label. But I think you can purchase special labels if you want adesive ones and yes anyone can use it. I think you may find it a bit labourous for sending lots, but I ve never tried it for more than one at a time.

[windywillow]

Thanks very much JimJools.

[fbg40]

Hi windywillow
Totally in agreement with JimJools. Used this service several times to post individual items, from a single letter to a great big shower pump !! Works extremely well. Have a go !!
FBG40

[windywillow]

Thanks FBG. Will do.

[Panic Button]

What if the printer jams up?

If you can reprint, what is to stop you printing ten and sending ten letters for the price of one?

[windywillow]

Wooohoooo! Good point Panic Button. I am definitely gonna give it a go now. Anyone know how you can jam the printer? ;O)

[1rovert]

Try Royal Mail \"SmartStamp\", where you can print your own stamps. Iv\'e used it for a couple of years now, it saves queuing at the post office, and I can send mail abroad to my cousins in France and Germany. It also will print your stamps on labels.

[windywillow]

Do you have to pay a fee to use SmartStamp? I don't send very much through the post, so I don't suppose it would be worth it for me if there was a fee to pay.

Thanks for reply, btw.

[windywillow]

Panic Button, you have to input the recipient's name and address onto the web page, this is then printed onto the label/envelope along with the postage details. So unless you wanted to send ten letters to the same person within a very short space of time, your idea wouldn't work. :o(

[peripathetic]

It's a doddle. Have used the service in emergencies since our PO closed. However if you've got a long Xmas card list it would get a bit boring.

[windywillow]

I have tried it and it is easy enough to do but I have decided it's not right for my Xmas cards as it looks too official (like a tax demand or a bill). LOL

I think it's a great idea though. If I paid bills or wrote many official letters, I would certainly use it for those.

Thanks for replies.