How to Print Postage From Home

The ability to have the correct postage when you need it is a growing need as more people have home businesses that entail mass shipping and mailings. The USPS has approved the private sector to create and lease or sell software programs that allow homes and businesses to print their own postage labels on personal computers. This relieves the Post Office from lines and congestion in their offices, which is more convenient for all of us.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Decide what type of postage is needed to send mailings from home. Some users need the basic postage for mass envelope mailings, while others need postage based on weight and size, Express or Priority mail postage or postage printed directly onto the envelope.

2. Find a certified postage vendor that is able to fit your business and home postage needs. Check to see if the vendor's software allows printing from your model and type of printer. Some programs require customers to purchase their special printers. The United States Post Office has endorsed and approved several vendors on their website.

3. Have a credit card that you will just use for Internet purchases. Call your credit card company for information on coverage of use on the Internet. Several companies now have special programs that increase the safety of shopping on the Internet.

4. Purchase and install the software from a reputable and USPS approved vendor. Use your safe credit card to purchase the software. Some of the vendors charge a flat fee and then you repurchase postage as you need to. Others want their customers to run a "tab" for postage. Don't forget to purchase the correct paper to print the postage on.

5. Read all the directions before you start printing postage labels. Set your Printer Options correctly on the printer you will be using and try test pages with no value postage. Once printed, postage can not be returned, so print carefully and only when needed.