Franking Machine Ink: 2026 Cartridge Prices By Model UK

Ink is the running cost nobody mentions when you're signing for a franking machine, and then it turns up every few weeks for the next five years. It's worth understanding before you sign, because the price of a cartridge, and how many franks you get out of it, can change your real monthly cost more than you'd think.

This guide explains how franking ink pricing works, what to look for by brand, and how to work out what each frank actually costs you in ink.

Why franking ink isn't like printer ink

You can't just grab any cartridge off the shelf. Franking machines print a postage impression that Royal Mail's equipment has to read, and since 1 January 2023 that impression must include a Mailmark barcode (Royal Mail Business Price Guide, checked October 2026). If the barcode is faint, smudged or patchy, the item might not be processed properly.

That's why manufacturers design their machines around specific cartridges, often with a chip that the machine checks. It's also why most leases say you must use genuine supplies.

Cartridge prices by model

We'd love to give you a neat table of exact prices, but franking ink prices are a moving target. They vary by supplier, by contract (some leases include a set amount of ink), and by whether you buy one cartridge or a multipack. Prices also change without much notice. Rather than print figures that could be out of date by next month, here's how to find the real price for your machine.

Pitney Bowes. Pitney Bowes sells ink for its DM series and SendPro machines through its online store and account portal. Have your machine model to hand, as cartridges aren't interchangeable between ranges. Our DM50 review covers that machine in detail.

Quadient (formerly Neopost). Quadient supplies ink for the iX range and older IS models. If you've got an old Neopost machine, the cartridge listing may still use the Neopost model name. See our pages on the IJ25 and IJ65 for older machines.

FP. FP sells cartridges for its PostBase, Optimail and MyMail machines through its own shop and dealers.

Frama. Ink is available from Frama and its dealers.

Ask for the price per cartridge and, crucially, the approximate number of impressions it gives. That second figure is what lets you compare.

Genuine vs compatible cartridges

Compatible franking cartridges do exist, and they're usually cheaper. Before you buy one, think about these points:

Your contract. Many leases require genuine ink. Using compatible cartridges might break the terms or affect your service cover. Read the small print.

Mailmark readability. The whole point of franking is that Royal Mail can read the barcode. If a cheaper cartridge produces weaker prints, the savings aren't worth it.

Chips. Some machines won't accept a cartridge without the right chip.

Warranty. If a compatible cartridge damages the print head, you might not be covered.

Our view: if you lease, stick to genuine ink unless your supplier confirms in writing that compatibles are allowed. If you own an older machine outright and your contract has ended, compatibles might be worth testing, but check print quality closely.

Working out cost per item

This is the number that matters. Here's the formula:

Ink cost per frank = cartridge price divided by number of impressions

So if a cartridge cost £80 and gave 2,000 impressions, each frank would cost 4p in ink. If it cost £60 but only gave 1,000 impressions, each frank would cost 6p, even though the cartridge was cheaper. (Those are example figures to show the maths, not real prices.)

Now compare that with your postage saving. From 7 April 2026, a franked 1st Class letter costs £1.77 against £1.80 for a stamp, a 3p saving (Royal Mail, checked October 2026). If your ink costs 4p a frank, you're losing a penny on every standard letter before the machine's even paid for. On a 1st Class large letter under 100g, the saving is 44p, so ink barely dents it.

That's why ink matters so much more for businesses that send mostly standard letters.

How to use less ink

A few easy wins:

• Keep the advert simple. Many machines let you print a logo or slogan beside the frank. Big, solid graphics use more ink. A short text line uses far less.
• Turn off the advert if you don't need it.
• Don't run unnecessary print head cleans. They use ink. Only clean when the print quality drops.
• Store spare cartridges properly. Keep them sealed and at room temperature. Ink can dry out if cartridges are left open or in a hot room.
• Use labels sensibly. For thick items, print a label rather than forcing an envelope through and getting a messy print.

Questions to ask about ink before you sign

Get these answered when you're comparing quotes, ideally in writing:

1. What does one genuine cartridge cost today, including delivery?
2. Roughly how many impressions does it give with a standard frank and no advert?
3. Is any ink included in the monthly price?
4. Does the contract require genuine supplies?
5. Can the cartridge price go up during the term, and by how much?
6. Is there a cheaper high yield cartridge for my model?

Once you've got those answers from two or three suppliers, work out the ink cost per frank for each. It's often the tiebreaker between two quotes that look identical on the monthly fee.

Where to buy

Buying direct from the manufacturer is the safest option, and some contracts let you order through your online account. Authorised dealers also sell genuine cartridges and sometimes beat the manufacturer's price. Be wary of marketplace listings that don't clearly say whether a cartridge is genuine or compatible.

Our main franking ink prices page has more background.

FAQs

How long does a franking ink cartridge last?

It depends on the cartridge size and how many items you frank. Ask your supplier for the impression yield and divide by your daily volume to get an idea.

Can I refill a franking cartridge?

It's not something we'd recommend. Most cartridges are chipped, and refilling can affect print quality and your contract.

Does ink come included with my lease?

Sometimes. Some contracts bundle a set amount of ink, others charge for every cartridge. Check your agreement.

Why does my machine say the cartridge is empty when there's ink left?

Machines often count impressions rather than measuring ink directly, and they stop before the cartridge runs completely dry to protect the print head and keep barcodes readable.

Looking for a deal?

If ink costs are making your current machine expensive, ask for ink pricing upfront when you get new quotes. Compare franking machine prices.