The Hidden Cost of Sending “Free” In-House Mail

Sending mail in-house doesn’t actually save you money.

“We already have a printer.”
“It only takes a few minutes.”
“Stamps aren’t that expensive.”

Sound familiar?

It’s the internal chorus many companies rely on when justifying their in-house mail processes. But here’s the thing: what seems free on the surface is usually costing you more than you realize.

If your team is still printing, folding, stuffing, stamping, and tracking important mail internally, oof, that’s a lot. Let’s break down what that “free” process is really costing you.

Spoiler: it’s not just paper and toner.

Labor: The Most Expensive Envelope You’ll Ever Seal

Think about how long it takes to send a single Certified Mail letter in-house:

  • Print the document
  • Grab the right envelope
  • Fill out the Certified Mail form
  • Apply postage
  • Drop it off at the Post Office
  • Save the tracking number (somewhere, hopefully)
  • File the proof later—if someone remembers
  • Enter in all the numbers just to track and see where your letter is at

Now multiply that by dozens, hundreds, or thousands of pieces of mail per month. And who’s doing all of this? Your office manager? Your HR assistant? Your paralegal?

That’s real time spent on repetitive tasks—and real salary dollars diverted away from actual job responsibilities.

Companies like ours that send mail online eliminate these manual steps entirely. Your team uploads a file, clicks send, and we take it from there.

You didn’t hire talented people to stand next to a postage meter. So why are they still doing it?

Equipment and Supplies

Sure, printers and paper seem cheap—until they aren’t.

There’s the printer that jams every other day. The envelope reorder that someone forgot. The postage meter lease. The toner that runs out mid-job. The unexpected maintenance call that kills your budget for the month.

These costs might be small individually, but collectively, they add up, especially when they disrupt workflows or delay time-sensitive mail.

And while no one wants to budget for a new postage scale, you’ll end up paying for it anyway… one emergency trip to the office supply store at a time.

Mistakes, Delays, and Compliance Risks

In regulated industries, one lost Certified Mail receipt can mean legal exposure. One delayed benefits notice can mean an HR violation. One botched billing cycle can mean thousands in late fees or customer confusion.

When you’re managing mail manually, you’re relying on humans to get it right, every time.

A proactive print and mail service introduces speed, reliability, and accuracy, and it reduces the risk of:

  • Wrong addresses
  • Missed deadlines
  • Lost documentation
  • Inconsistent branding
  • Untrackable delivery

These are hidden costs you can’t afford to keep ignoring.

Opportunity Cost: What Could They Be Doing Instead?

Every hour your team spends printing and mailing is an hour they’re not doing something more valuable.

That might be:

  • Following up with clients
  • Solving customer service issues
  • Closing new deals
  • Onboarding employees
  • Building new workflows

Manual mail doesn’t just cost money—it costs momentum.

With LetterStream, your documents are still printed, stuffed, and mailed, but your team doesn’t lose focus or flow to make it happen.

“We Only Send a Few Letters” (Until You Don’t)

A lot of businesses think they don’t send enough mail to justify using a platform. But sporadic mail is exactly where delays, mistakes, and distractions sneak in.

Plus, when something urgent comes up—like a legal notice or compliance mailing—you want a reliable system, not a scramble.

Whether it’s one letter or 1,000, a printing and mailing company ensures it gets handled with care, tracked properly, and out the door quickly.

Because your brand shouldn’t feel like a paper jam.

Real Costs vs. Perceived Costs

Let’s stack them up.

In-House “Free” Mail:

  • Staff time (hourly or salaried)
  • Equipment lease or replacement
  • Postage meter
  • Postage and supply overhead
  • Risk of error or delay
  • Storage, filing, and compliance burden

Online Print and Mail Service:

  • Fixed, transparent cost per piece
  • Built-in tracking for Certified Mail and compliance
  • Zero office disruption
  • Digital records
  • No hardware, maintenance, or manual labor
  • No trips to the Post Office

Which one sounds more efficient?

You’re Not Saving. You’re Delaying the Switch.

The businesses that move to online Certified Mail and First-Class Mail systems usually do it after one of two things happens:

  1. A compliance scare or mail-related mistake.
  2. A team finally had enough and says, “There has to be a better way.”

We’re here to tell you: there is a better way. It’s easier than you think. And it’s probably cheaper than what you’re doing now, especially when you factor in everything you’re currently not tracking.

Start sending mail online with LetterStream. We make sending mail a breeze!

LetterStream offers bulk printing and mailing services, allowing companies to send physical mail online. Whether it’s online Certified MailFirst-Class MailFedEx 2Day, or postcards, we give both small businesses and large corporations that time and freedom back to work on tasks that better serve the company. If you’re interested in creating a free account, you can do so here.

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Many Postage Meters Are Out Of Date – Here’s What You Need To Know

If you’re still using an Information-Based Indicia (IBI) postage meter, we have some news for you: it’s officially out of date.

As of June 30, 2024, the United States Postal Service (USPS) said farewell to the IBI USPS postage meter machines, making way for the more advanced Intelligent Mail Indicia (IMI) technology. If you’re wondering what this means for your business, don’t worry—we’re here to break it all down for you, and more importantly, show you how to avoid any mailing disruptions.

Why Did USPS Phase Out IBI Meters?

IBI meters had a good run, but they just weren’t cutting it anymore. The USPS decided to phase them out in favor of IMI meters for several key reasons, according to USPS | Postal Pro:

  • Enhanced Security: IMI meters incorporate advanced security measures to prevent fraud and ensure the integrity of postage.
  • Real-Time Data Transmission: IMI devices provide immediate transaction data to the USPS, facilitating more efficient mail processing and tracking.
  • Improved Compliance: The new IMI standard ensures accurate postage calculation and adherence to USPS regulations, minimizing errors and potential mailing issues.

What This Means for Your Business

If your postage meter machine still relies on IBI technology, it’s time to take action. You don’t want to find yourself unable to send important business mail at the worst possible moment. The good news is, you have options:

  1. Upgrade to an IMI Meter: Many postage meter providers offer IMI-compliant machines, but this means another round of purchasing, setup, and maintenance.
  2. Go Meter-Free: Instead of investing in new hardware, you can opt for a smarter, more efficient alternative—one that doesn’t require a physical meter at all. If this sounds like it’s up your ally, keep reading.

Skip the Meter Drama—Let LetterStream Handle It

Why wrestle with USPS postage meter regulations and upgrades when there’s a better way? We offer a modern, hassle-free solution that eliminates the need for postage meters altogether. Cool, huh?

Here’s how LetterStream can help:

  • Send Real Mail Online: With just a few clicks, you can send physical mail without ever touching a meter.
  • No Equipment, No Maintenance: If you’re thinking about getting a postage meter then a question you’re asking yourself is, “How much does a postage meter cost?” Guess what, it doesn’t matter because when you outsource with us you get to say goodbye to the cost and hassle of maintaining a postage meter.
  • USPS Compliance: We handle the regulations and postage requirements so you don’t have to.
  • Scalability: Whether you’re sending a handful of letters or thousands, we can easily handle the volume.
  • Get Your Mail Out Fast: 99% of all mail gets sent out by the next business day. Now that’s fast.

Simplifying Your Mailing Without Postage Meters

The USPS has officially moved on from IBI postage meters, and it’s time for businesses to do the same. Instead of worrying about upgrading to an IMI meter, why not take this opportunity to simplify your mailing process? LetterStream offers an easy, efficient, and cost-effective way to send mail without the headache of hardware.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s make your mailing process smarter, faster, and meter-free. Your business (and your budget) will thank you!

LetterStream offers bulk printing and mailing services allowing companies to send physical mail online. Whether it’s online Certified Mail and First-Class Mail or FedEx 2Day and postcards we give both small businesses and large corporations that time and freedom back to work on tasks that better serve the company. If you’re interested in creating a free account you can do so, here.

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