What is a postage meter/PSD?  
A postage meter is a mailing system that prints postage directly on the envelope (or on an adhesive tape) for any type of mail -- first class; air mail, registered mail, special delivery, or other special services. A postage meter consists of 3 parts: the   
PSD or Meter, Base/Mail handler, and scale. See definitions below.  

What is a PSD?  
The PSD or Postal Security Device (meter) is the critical part of your mailing system. It maintains purchased postage values.

What is a Base/Mail handler?  
The base is referred to as a Mail handler are essentially a mail processor, designed to transport the item to be "franked," or stamped, through the meter.
The four main parts of a base/mail handler include the feeder, sealer, stacker, and tape dispenser.

Feeder
A feeder guides envelopes through the meter. Although you can get a low-end meter without a feeder, feeding a large mailing by hand is going to be pretty tedious.

Sealer
A sealer moistens the envelope flap and closes it.

Stacker
After mail is stamped, it must be cleared from the machine. This requires a stacker. Low-end stackers are no more than a catch tray placed at the edge of the meter and designed to hold metered pieces of mail. Power stackers can stack more envelopes by using a conveyor mechanism to move the stamped pieces away from the meter's edge.

Tape dispenser
In some cases, it is not possible to print an indicia directly onto a mailing piece - like with a large package. In these cases, strips of adhesive paper, called tape, are fed through the meter and affixed to the package. The tape is stamped with the indicia or postage amount.

What is a Scale?
A scale weighs letters or packages and transmits you the correct weight to enter into the meter. Integrated and Interfaced models automatically apply the weight to the meter and the correct postage cost is applied when you select the type of mail service. 

Who sets postage rates?  
The Canada Post Corporation sets the rates and regulations we follow.  

How would I purchase additional postage for my postage meter/PSD?  
You don't need to pick up the phone for this. Additional Postage is downloaded directly by internal modems into your postage meter at the touch of a button through FP's Teleset or EPPS system. The additional postage can be paid by cheque or use our Direct Debit Method so there is no need for manual cheques and waiting days for postage to be added to your account. With the Direct Debit Method you can have access 24/7 for postage!  

For the compliant meters/PSD, what happens when the Canada Post increases postal rates?  
There is no longer the need for new rate cards or “EPROM’s” for your postage scales. New rates will be transferred by internal modems when required directly to the PSD during postage reset procedures. A
truly added convenience to the customer.  

Do I require a separate phone line to us a postage meter?  
No, you can use any existing phone that is already installed.  The postage is downloaded from the FP Teleset department here at FP to your postage meter automatically through the postage meter's built-in, self-dialing modem. This process requires that your postage meter be connected to any standard telephone jack using a standard phone cord which is supplied to you. The connection is only required during the postage resetting procedure. 

Can I buy a postage meter/PSD?  
No, all postage meters/PSD, regardless of manufacturer are rented, never owned. These postage meters are highly regulated by the Canada Post Corporation because they hold actual Canadian Mint.

What are the reasons for having a postage meter/PSD?  
Printed postage has many advantages. It promotes a professional image for your growing business, gives the ability to assign exact postage, saves trips to the post office and allows you to send mail in different classes and track the costs of specific mailing campaigns -- all of which can save your business up to 20 percent of mailing costs in the long run. It also your mail to flow through thee CPC automated processing of which can accelerate the delivery of your mail.

What happens to the postage money in my old postage meter when I switch to Francotyp-Postalia?
It will be refunded to you including the GST when the old meter is returned to its vendor. Francotyp-Postalia’s current customers will have an instantaneous transfer of postage funds via the “Teleset” system 

What if I send out only packages, how would I get the stamp that your postage meter creates onto the package?  
You would run a self-adhesive postage meter label through the postage meter and attach it to the package.  It’s like having a post office right in your own office!

What will the actual "stamp" that the postage meter creates look like?

Above is a sample of Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) indicia along with a sample logo which would be imprinted by the postage meter on an envelope. Your company logo can be replaced with a company advertisement, which you can change and customize. The 2-D barcode includes the following information; licensing post office, rate category, date of mailing, postage amount, device or meter ID number. See below for a description of the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) initiated by Canada Post.

What is ECDSA?  
Canada Post initiated the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) program to enhance the security of postage metering by supporting new methods of applying postage to mail. The information based indicia (ECDSA) is printed by the postage meter or other forms of PC postage systems on mail pieces. The (ECDSA) program is designed to give the post office greater visibility & security of mail. In addition, the use of the 2-D barcode removes levels of sorting within the mailing process cycle, which in turn will speed the delivery of a mail piece.

What is franking?  
This is a term generally used in Europe in regards to postage meters. Franking is synonymous with stamping. An envelope that has received postage has been "franked." Here in the Canada you will most probably hear the term "metering your mail", where the word "metering" comes from the word postage meter.

What is a franking machine?  
A franking machine is the same thing as a postage meter. This is a term generally used in Europe in regards to postage meters. Here in Canada , they are now referred to as PSD/postage meters, mail handlers/mailing machines, or mailing equipment. 

 Is a mailing machine the same thing as a postage meter/PSD? 
Yes.

What if I make a mistake when printing my postage with my meter? 
Unused indicia or postage printed with your meter may be considered for refund only if they are complete, legible and submitted within 60 days of the date in the meter stamp. These unused meter stamps are refunded at a postal retail window. For specific details, contact your local Canada Post outlet.

Will I be able to use my postage meter for all types of mail?  
Postage meters are currently authorized for use on all mail services, including Domestic First-Class Mail® services, Priority Mail® services, Express Mail® services, Parcel Post™, International Mail, Address Ad-Mail discount services, and other special services.

What if I am sending a package or envelope that requires extra postage, how will I know how much to set the postage amount to on the postage meter?  
Postage meters come with postal scales which are often integrated into the postage meter itself. Simply place the envelope or package on the scale, and the correct postage is determined and set immediately by the meter. A good example of a postage meter with an integrated scale is the  FP MyMail.