The term “snail mail” is no longer applicable today, thanks to drastic improvements in processing and sending out printed mail. Because of technological advancements in equipment and machinery, lettershop services have become much faster, precise, and more efficient. Here are a few types of technology being used in lettershop services:
- Inserting Machine. This is a device that folds, inserts, and seals printed mail and documents. It’s used by mail houses because it can fold and insert paper much faster than the manual method (by hand). Some models can print documents as well. A wide range of inserting machines includes low-end desktop units, photocopier-sized kinds, and big industrial ones. Of course, the larger industrial types have higher capacities, are equipped with printers, and can work with thicker paper. High-end units can fold between 5,000 to 6,000 pieces of paper in an hour.
- Stamp Affixing Machine. Stamp affixing machines are those that mechanically attach postage stamps to mail envelopes, postcards, and even wrappers. Stamp affixing machines not only allow handling and processing of bulk mail, but also make stamp theft more difficult for mail house employees.
- Cheshire Labeling Machines. This is used to create labels bearing the receiver’s address and may or may not include postal permit. Although many mail houses are still using these machines, they’re slowly being replaced by inkjet printers. If you don’t know what Cheshire labels are, they’re pretty much like the peel-and-stick labels you can buy from school and office supply stores.
- Guillotine Paper Cutter. This is used to cut large sets of papers at once. The smaller kinds are usually seen in classrooms and offices. The larger kinds, however, are used to cut huge paper stacks, even cardboard and other print materials. The machine is called “guillotine” since it works the same way as a guillotine. It has a blade which slices down on the paper. Guillotine paper cutter manufacturers like Germany’s Polar can create machines that are capable of cutting paper as wide as 14 feet.
- Postage Metering Machine A.K.A. Franking Machine. This is used to make and apply postage or franking to letters and mail. Creation, use, and support of postage meters in the United States are regulated by the United States Postal Service (USPS). A postage meter imprints a meter stamp that functions as proof of payment. Since the mail is already stamped, adhesive stamps are no longer required.
- Folding Machine. This allows high-speed and precision folding. It can do different styles of folding for different sizes of paper. It also makes scoring or creasing possible. Scoring or creasing allows crack-free folding which also preserves the ink from the printer.
- Sealing / Tabbing Machine. This mechanically puts tabs or wafer seals to mails. It’s also capable of placing perforated tabs that allow letters to be opened much easier and faster.
- Glue Machine. It’s used for spot gluing and line gluing or the application of a spot or line of glue to attach one material to another.
- Inkjet Printer. This allows fast, quality, clear, and readable barcode and address printing which are highly essential for those that need lettershop services.