Postage meter labels are another consumable supply, that’s an ongoing cost which needs to be considered when purchasing a postage meter.

Postage meter labels are die-cut, peel-and-stick labels which are individually fed into the postage machine and postage is printed on them. These are easier to use and cleaner than postage meter tape. They now come in a variety of shapes and formats. Some machines use a “pinwheel” style which as four labels arranged on a block in a pinwheel style designed for easy hand feeding through a postage meter. Others come in strips with one or two labels per strip. And some come in rolls.

Some, mostly older postage machines use “postage meter tape” – a continuous roll of adhesive paper that needs to be cut and moistened after postage is printed on it. Postage meter tape, while not quite as clean-and-neat as postage meter labels, is substantially less expensive. Postage meter tape is not available in many newer postage machines.

There also are thermal labels which are used in some of the lower-volume systems. Thermal labels are used in machines that do not use ink to print. For the most part, the type of thermal labels used in postage meters are “direct thermal” labels. Direct thermal printers require the use of heat activated thermal papers and films, but require no ribbon. A heated print head causes the postage image to “print” on the label.

Compatible postage meter labels are more readily available the compatible postage meter cartridges since the capability to duplicate them was easier and more readily available.

Most large independent dealers of mailing equipment routinely supply compatible postage meter labels to their customers instead of the original manufacturers. All original manufacturers’ products are clearly marked as being from them.

So check it out.  As a customer, you may already be using compatibles and not even know it – with no problems.

Make sure you know the model of the postage machine that the meter tapes will be used in or have a manufacturer’s part number, because there are quite a few varieties. Finally, make sure you look for a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a warranty.

And, again, some of the best suppliers advertise here.

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