A method for a postal security device having a processing device to provide a series of indicia, each of the series of indicia including a digital signature, the method comprising: receiving at the processing device initialization data for a first indicium of the series of indicia; calculating by the processing device a portion of the digital signature for the first indicium; performing by the processing device a debiting operation for funds associated with a postage value of the first indicium; completing by the processing device calculation of the digital signature for the first indicium using data generated in the debiting operation; printing the first indicium, including the digital signature for the first indicium, on a first mail piece using a printer associated with the postal security device; before the printing of the first indicium is completed by the printer and before it is determined if a second indicium is to be generated, calculating by the processing device a portion of the digital signature for a second indicium of the series of indicia; determining that a second indicium is to be generated and determining if new initialization data for the second indicium of the series of indicia is required; if new initialization data for the second indicium is not required, performing by the processing device a debiting operation for funds associated with a postage value of the second indicium; completing by the processing device calculation of the digital signature for the second indicium using data generated in the debiting operation; printing the second indicium, including the digital signature for the second indicium, on a second mail piece using the printer associated with the postal security device; and before the printing of the second indicium is completed by the printer and before it is determined if a third indicium is to be generated, calculating by the processing device a portion of the digital signature for a third indicium of the series of indicia. receiving at the processing device initialization data for a first indicium of the series of indicia; calculating by the processing device a portion of the digital signature for the first indicium; performing by the processing device a debiting operation for funds associated with a postage value of the first indicium; completing by the processing device calculation of the digital signature for the first indicium using data generated in the debiting operation; printing the first indicium, including the digital signature for the first indicium, on a first mail piece using a printer associated with the postal security device; before the printing of the first indicium is completed by the printer and before it is determined if a second indicium is to be generated, calculating by the processing device a portion of the digital signature for a second indicium of the series of indicia; determining that a second indicium is to be generated and determining if new initialization data for the second indicium of the series of indicia is required; if new initialization data for the second indicium is not required, performing by the processing device a debiting operation for funds associated with a postage value of the second indicium; completing by the processing device calculation of the digital signature for the second indicium using data generated in the debiting operation; printing the second indicium, including the digital signature for the second indicium, on a second mail piece using the printer associated with the postal security device; and before the printing of the second indicium is completed by the printer and before it is determined if a third indicium is to be generated, calculating by the processing device a portion of the digital signature for a third indicium of the series of indicia.