Franking Machine Labels: When to Use and How to Choose

on Jul 16, 2026

Franking machine labels are self-adhesive labels that you print postage onto for any item that is too large, too thick or too awkward to feed through your franking machine, such as parcels, padded envelopes and large letters. You print the postage impression (including the Royal Mail Mailmark 2D barcode) directly onto the label, peel it off and stick it to the top-right corner of the item. The label carries exactly the same postage value, and the same Mailmark discounts, as franking straight onto an envelope. In short, labels let your machine handle mail it could never physically process on its own.

Below we explain when you actually need them, the formats available, how to choose the right ones for your machine, and how to apply and store them so every item scans cleanly first time.

What are franking machine labels?

A franking label is a blank adhesive label designed specifically to receive a franking impression. Rather than running a thick parcel or an oversized envelope through the machine's rollers, which risks jams and damage, you feed the label through instead. The machine prints the usual details onto it: the class of service, the date, the postage amount, your licence number and the Mailmark barcode. You then apply the printed label to the item by hand.

Functionally, a franking label is the parcel equivalent of the frank you would normally print onto a standard letter. It is not a separate postage product and it does not cost anything extra in postage. It simply gives the machine a printable surface it can handle when the mail item itself cannot pass through. You can browse the full range on our franking machine labels collection, which covers every major manufacturer.

When do you need to use a franking label?

You need a franking label whenever an item will not pass safely and flat through your machine's feed. In practice, that usually means:

Parcels and packets of any depth, including boxed goods and mailing tubes.
Padded and bubble-lined envelopes, which are too thick for most letter feeds.
Large letters that exceed the maximum thickness your machine can grip.
Rigid or bulky items such as ring binders, sample packs and hardback documents.

For ordinary letters and thin large letters, you would normally frank the envelope directly and skip the label entirely. Labels come into their own the moment the item gets thick or heavy. If you are posting a lot of bulkier mail, it is also worth checking you are using the right outer packaging, and our envelopes collection includes sizes suited to franking.

Self-adhesive versus gummed labels

Most modern franking labels are self-adhesive: they have a peel-off backing and stick instantly, which makes them fast to apply in a high-volume postroom. Some older automatic machines, particularly certain Pitney Bowes models, were designed for gummed labels that need moistening. As a rule, self-adhesive labels are the standard choice today and are compatible with the vast majority of current machines, but you should always match the label type to what your specific model is engineered to dispense.

Single, double and roll formats

Franking labels are supplied in a few common formats, and the right one depends on how your machine dispenses them:

Single labels

One label per franked item, typically supplied on sheets or strips. Single labels are ideal for lower parcel volumes and give you a clean, standalone frank on each item.

Double labels

Two labels are printed and applied per item. Double labels are often used where a larger printed area is needed, or where a machine prints across a two-label span. They are commonly sold in boxes containing hundreds of sheets.

Rolls

Higher-throughput machines often take labels on a continuous roll, which allows rapid automatic dispensing without reloading sheets constantly. If your postroom processes a steady flow of parcels, rolls keep things moving.

Buying the wrong format is one of the most common ordering mistakes, so if you are unsure, check your machine's manual or the label description before you order.

Do franking labels carry the Mailmark barcode?

Yes. When you print onto a franking label using a Mailmark machine, the label receives the same Mailmark 2D barcode as a directly franked letter. That barcode is what allows Royal Mail to capture item-level data and apply the correct tariff, and it is the reason Mailmark franking is accepted and discounted. If you want a fuller explanation of the standard and why it matters, see our guide on Mailmark franking machines in 2026. You can also read Royal Mail's own overview of franking for business for the official position.

Choosing the right labels for your machine

Franking labels are not universal. The size, format and adhesive are matched to each manufacturer's feed mechanism, so a label made for one brand will not necessarily work in another. The simplest approach is to shop by machine brand:

Matching labels to your exact model matters just as much as it does with consumables, and the same brand-by-brand logic applies to cartridges too. Our franking machine ink guide walks through how to identify the right supplies for your machine so you never order the wrong part.

How to apply a franking label correctly

A poorly placed label can fail to scan, which slows Royal Mail's processing and can cause problems at sortation. To get it right every time: print the label, peel it cleanly from the backing, and press it flat onto the top-right corner of the item, the same position a stamp or direct frank would occupy. Make sure the barcode is not creased, folded over an edge or covering a seam, and that the whole label sits smoothly against the surface.

Storing labels so they scan cleanly

Franking labels are paper products with a print-receptive coating, and they last best when kept cool, dry and flat in their original packaging. Damp or curled labels can smudge, jam or scan poorly. Keep them away from radiators and direct sunlight, and only open packs as you need them.

Do labels cost more than franking directly?

The labels themselves are an inexpensive consumable, and crucially they do not change your postage price. The postage on a labelled parcel is exactly the same as it would be on any other Mailmark item, so you keep the full franking discount. From 7 April 2026, franking with a Mailmark machine remains cheaper than stamps across many services: a First Class letter up to 100g is £1.77 by Mailmark franking against £1.80 by stamp, a Second Class letter up to 100g is 88p against 91p, and Large Letters can save up to 44p per item versus the equivalent stamp price. Those savings apply whether you frank the envelope directly or use a label, so labelled parcels benefit just like everything else you send. You can check the current tariff in our Royal Mail postage rates 2026 update.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are franking machine labels used for?

They are used to frank postage for items that cannot pass through the machine itself, such as parcels, padded envelopes, mailing tubes and thick large letters. You print the postage and Mailmark barcode onto the label, then stick it to the item. The label carries the same postage value and discount as a directly franked envelope.

Are franking labels self-adhesive?

Most modern franking labels are self-adhesive with a peel-off backing, which makes them quick to apply. Some older automatic machines used gummed labels that need moistening. Always match the label type to what your specific machine is designed to dispense, as the two are not interchangeable.

Do franking labels work with any franking machine?

No. Labels are sized and formatted for particular manufacturers and models, so a label made for a Pitney Bowes machine will not necessarily fit a Quadient or FP Mailing one. The safest approach is to buy labels listed for your brand and model, and to check whether your machine takes single labels, double labels or rolls.

Does a franked label cost more than franking an envelope directly?

The postage is identical. Using a label does not increase the postage price, so you keep the full Mailmark franking discount on the item. The only additional cost is the small price of the label consumable itself, which is minor compared with the postage savings franking delivers.

Where should I place the franking label on a parcel?

Apply it flat to the top-right corner of the item, the same place a stamp would go, and make sure the Mailmark barcode is not creased or folded over an edge. A clean, flat label scans reliably and helps Royal Mail process your mail without delay.

How should franking labels be stored?

Keep them cool, dry and flat in their original packaging, away from heat and direct sunlight. Damp or curled labels can smudge or jam and may not scan properly, so only open packs as you need them.

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