When you’re sending thousands—or even millions—of mail pieces, every penny saved on postage adds up quickly. That’s why more and more savvy businesses are switching to Royal Mail’s Mailmark® service.
In this article, we’ll break down:
What Mailmark® actually is
How it works
Why it can save you thousands on a national campaign
And how to get started
1. What is Mailmark® Postage?
Mailmark® is Royal Mail’s most cost-efficient bulk mail option, using a 2D barcode printed on each mail item. This barcode contains address data, postage details, and tracking information.
Instead of being processed like standard mail, Mailmark® items are scanned through Royal Mail’s automated system for:
Faster processing
Cheaper postage rates
More accurate delivery tracking
Royal Mail describes Mailmark® as:
“Our most advanced machine-readable barcode for Business Mail—providing detailed reporting, accurate delivery, and the lowest postage prices.”
Source: Royal Mail Mailmark® Guide
2. How Does Mailmark® Work?
Mail preparation – Your mailing house (like Mailings Direct) formats your data, applies the correct Mailmark® barcode, and prepares your items according to Royal Mail’s specifications.
Sorting & scanning – Royal Mail’s automated machines scan each barcode for sorting and tracking.
Delivery & reporting – You can track performance and see if your campaign reached the intended addresses, reducing waste and improving ROI.
3. How Mailmark® Saves You Money
The biggest reason to use Mailmark®? Lower postage costs.
Compared to standard bulk mail rates, Mailmark® is typically 33p cheaper per item.
That might sound small—until you do the maths:
Example: 100,000-piece national campaign
Standard postage: £0.67 each = £67,000
Mailmark® postage: £0.34 each = £34,000
Saving: £33,000 on one mailing
Multiply that by several campaigns a year, and you’re talking tens of thousands saved—money you can reinvest into marketing or operations.
4. Additional Benefits Beyond Cost Savings
While cost is a big win, Mailmark® also gives you:
Delivery performance tracking – See exactly when items are processed and out for delivery. Cleaner, more accurate data – Reduce wasted mail to undeliverable addresses. Better customer experience – Timed delivery can align with other marketing touchpoints like emails or social ads. Greener mailing – Less wasted mail = lower carbon footprint.
5. Who Should Be Using Mailmark®?
Mailmark® is ideal for:
National campaigns – Retail promotions, seasonal offers, political mailings.
Membership organisations – Newsletters, event invitations.
Healthcare & appointments – Reminders and follow-ups.
High-volume direct mailers – catalogue drops, product launches.
If you’re sending more than 4,000 letters or 1,000 large letters at once, you could qualify for Mailmark® discounts.
6. How to Maximise Your Mailmark® ROI
Here’s how we help clients get the most from their campaigns:
Combine Mailmark® with targeted data – Use demographic, geographic, and behavioural filters to mail only your ideal customers.
Pair with digital ads – Create a true omnichannel campaign that keeps you in front of prospects both physically and online.
Test and measure – Use Mailmark® tracking to see which offers and designs drive the best responses.
At Mailings Direct, we integrate Mailmark® into SmarertSend™ campaigns—so every mailer triggers a sequence of retargeting ads on Facebook, Instagram, Google, and YouTube. This increases visibility and boosts conversions.
7. Internal Resources You Might Like
Direct Mail Campaign Management Services – See how we handle print, data, and delivery from start to finish.
SmartSend™ Hybrid Mail + Digital Ads – Learn how we combine Mailmark® with online retargeting for maximum impact.
8. External Resources Worth Reading
Royal Mail Mailmark® Guide – Official overview of the service.
Royal Mail Incentives – Current promotions for bulk mailers.
9. Final Word: Small Changes, Big Savings
If you’re running a large-scale mailing campaign, switching to Mailmark® postage can save you thousands without cutting corners on quality or delivery. Add in tracking, better data accuracy, and integration with your digital marketing, and you’ve got a powerful tool for boosting your ROI.
Call to Action
Ready to save money on your next campaign?
At Mailings Direct, we specialise in Mailmark®-optimised campaigns—helping SMEs and national brands get the best possible postage rates while increasing delivery success and response rates.
Book your free consultation today and let’s plan your next high-impact, low-cost mailing.