What is franked mail?

A franked piece of mail is one that is sent printed with markings, sometimes called "ink stamps," instead of a regular postage stamp. This is done on large volumes of mail sent at a time. Businesses often employ franking services.

When sending large volumes of mail, putting stamps on each one can be troublesome, especially when they vary in size, shape, weight and destination. In such situations, all the mail is put through a franking machine, and markings are printed instead of postage stamps being attached. Businesses often apply for franking accounts, but an individual may also apply for one.