What does franked mail look like

Franked mail, also known as franked postage, is a type of mail that has been pre-paid for by the sender, usually a government agency or a large organization. The franking process involves applying a special postage stamp or mark to the envelope, which indicates that the postage has already been paid.

In the United States, franked mail typically looks like this:

  1. A blue or purple stamp: The most common type of franking is a blue or purple stamp that is applied to the envelope. This stamp is usually rectangular in shape and has the words "FRANKED" or "PREPAID" printed on it.
  2. A special postmark: In addition to the stamp, franked mail often has a special postmark that indicates the date and location of mailing. This postmark is usually in a different color than the stamp and may have a distinctive design.
  3. A unique serial number: Some franked mail may have a unique serial number printed on the envelope, which helps to track the mail and prevent fraud.

Here are some examples of what franked mail might look like:

It's worth noting that franked mail is not the same as metered mail, which is mail that has been paid for using a postage meter. Franked mail is typically used for official government or business communications, while metered mail is used for a wider range of purposes.