How to Fix Common Franking Mistakes

8th June 2021

Updated 17/01/23

We all make mistakes and some are harder to fix than others. The good news is if you make a mistake whilst franking your mail the solution is often very simple.

Here is a list of the most common mistakes and “how to fix common franking mistakes”.

Added the wrong date to franked mail?

If you have a Mailmark franking machine:

Put a line through the incorrect date in black ink
Select surcharge with a value of £0.00 (zero test print)
Check date is correct on the machine (if franking after 5pm date will automatically change to the next day)
Re-frank the envelope with the correct date either
– On the bottom left-hand corner or shorter edge of the envelope
– If using a label, place on the envelope to the left of the original frank (do not cover the original barcode)

If you have a Standard franking machine or Smartmeter:

Put a line through the incorrect date in black ink
Select surcharge with a value of £0.00 (zero test print)
Check the date is correct on the machine, you may need to advance the date
Re-frank the envelope with the correct date either
– On the bottom left-hand corner or shorter edge of the envelope
– If using a label, place it on the envelope to the left of the original mark covering the incorrect date but not the postage paid

Applied too little postage to franked mail?

If you have a Mailmark franking machine and didn’t pay enough:

Boldly cross through the 2D mailmark barcode (careful not to cross through the price you paid) and write your initials (the first letter of your first and last names).

Select surcharge and enter the remaining amount of postage to be paid.
Then frank the envelope again to the bottom left-hand corner, on the shorter edge of the envelope or on a label with the extra amount, placing it on the envelope to the left of the original Mailmark franking mark.

If you have a Standard franking machine or Smartmeter and didn’t pay enough:

Select surcharge and enter the remaining amount of postage to be paid.
Frank the envelope again with the necessary amount, to the bottom left-hand corner on the shorter edge of the envelope.
OR
Frank a label with the extra amount and place it on the envelope to the left of the original franking mark (do not cover the original frank).

Applied too much postage to franked mail?

If you have paid too much postage:

Don’t post the items.
Remove the contents and start again with a new envelope.
Send any unused franked envelopes (the whole envelope) to:
Royal Mail Franking
Stone Hill Road
Farnworth
BOLTON
BL4 9XX

The total claim must be for at least £10.00. All the impressions must be clear and readable and made within six months of the franked date.

You will get a cheque refund for the value of the unused impressions minus a 15% administration fee.

Underpaid a special delivery item?

If you have underpaid for a special delivery item on your franked mail you will need to:

Select surcharge and enter the remaining amount of postage to be paid.
Print a label for the outstanding amount.
Stick the label to the item, and be careful not to cover the existing franking mark.

Missed the last franked mail post?

If you have missed the last post or collection time, but your mail is already franked you will need to:

Mailmark users:

If franking after 5pm the franking machine will have automatically changed to the next days date, so re-frank following the steps above for ‘wrong date’
If franking before 5pm manually advance the date in your machine then re-frank
Hold on to items and post them the next day

Standard franking machine or Smartmeter users:

Advance the date to the following day
Re-frank post following above steps for ‘wrong date’
Hold on to items and post them the next day

Or for the urgent post:

You can place any urgent post inside a late meter posting envelope. You are limited to using one late meter envelope a day with a limit of 30 letters inside.
Late meter posting envelopes can be put in any Royal Mail postbox in time for a later collection on that day. Please check the collection times on the Post Box before posting. Do not put franked mail in the Post Box after the last collection time.

If you need any franking machine consumables or franking machine ink, Ashcroft Mailing’s online shop has a wide range of Franking machine supplies. If you have any other questions or queries, please feel free to contact us.