Some will automatically select the least expensive option for each item. Average church mailings consist of letters or flyers more than parcels, but scales help avoid excess spending on all types of mail. By taking the guesswork out of postage costs, these machines can pay for themselves over time. When postage rates change, electronic scales can be easily adjusted via the simple insertion of an updated cartridge or module. They can also be adjusted for special mail handling, such as certified mail or express service.
Some machines offer the features of both scale and postage meter.
Some advanced systems offer bar code printing and codes to support rapid handling by the U.S. Postal Service. Folding and inserting equipment can greatly speed up the process of mass mailings. It can also reduce labor costs by allowing one staff member or volunteer to do the work of several. Options range from simple folding machines to more complex systems that combine functions. For example, a single system might collate, fold, and insert letters, then automatically seal each envelope.