Bulk letter postage in the UK: what it costs and how to cut it

Postage is the biggest single cost in a bulk mailing. Royal Mail charges per item, so the class you choose matters more than almost anything else. Here are the rates we use, what a whole batch really costs, and the choices that bring it down.
Send a letter nowSee the price calculator
Royal Mail delivery
No monthly fee
Prices shown before you pay

What it costs

Royal Mail postage from the rates below. Your total adds the print shop's printing and envelope charge and a small platform fee, shown before you pay.
2nd Class postage from£0.91
1st Class postage from£1.80
2nd Class Signed For postage from£2.91
1st Class Signed For postage from£3.80

Postage and print: the full cost of a batch

Postage alone is only part of the cost. Each letter also needs printing and an envelope. These figures include all of it, for a single-page letter.
Batch size2nd Class, per letter2nd Class, batch total1st Class, per letter1st Class, batch total
100 letters£1.72£172.00£2.70£270.00
250 letters£1.72£430.00£2.70£675.00
500 letters£1.72£860.00£2.70£1,350.00
1,000 letters£1.72£1,720.00£2.70£2,700.00
Estimates use the platform-average print and envelope charge, the same maths as the pricing calculator. Each print shop sets its own charges, so your final price may differ.

When this is the right option

Non-urgent mailings

Second class postage is roughly half the price of first class, which adds up fast across a batch.

Time-sensitive notices

First class targets next working day for most UK addresses when the date matters.

Letters that need proof

Signed For adds a delivery record to either class, for a higher postage cost.

How it works

Step 1

Choose your class

Pick first or second class, with or without Signed For, when you set up your bulk order.
Step 2

See the all-in price

Compare print shops and check the total for your whole batch, postage included.
Step 3

Send and follow delivery

Confirm the order and follow each letter in your dashboard.
Example scenario

Ibrahim wants to know what 1,000 letters will really cost

This is an illustrative scenario to show how the platform works. It is not a customer testimonial.
Ibrahim organises an annual membership drive for a regional cycling club. He has a budget and needs to know the postage bill for 1,000 renewal letters before he commits.

The problem

Quotes online are hard to compare: some exclude postage, some hide the price, and he isn't sure whether he qualifies for any bulk discount.He is worried about overspending the club's money and about being asked to justify the cost at the committee meeting.Volunteers should be able to plan spending with confidence, and a price should be a number, not a mystery.

How LetterAPI helps

We know it is frustrating when you can't tell what postage will cost until after you've committed. You should see the total first.Our figures include Royal Mail postage, printing, envelope and fees. For 1,000 single-page letters that is about £1,720.00 on second class or £2,700.00 on first class. Royal Mail's discounted sorted mail needs much larger volumes and special preparation, so for a batch this size standard postage is simpler.

The plan, step by step

Step 1

Check the price

Ibrahim reads the all-in cost per letter for second and first class and the batch total.
Step 2

Choose second class

Renewals aren't urgent, so he picks second class and compares print shop prices.
Step 3

Send and show the committee

He confirms the order and keeps the total and tracking record for the committee.

What success looks like

A known budget before he commits.
Postage matched to how urgent the letters are.
An easy answer when the committee asks.

What it costs to wait

A surprise bill after printing.
Paying for first class speed nobody needed.
Hours comparing quotes that exclude postage.
Check your priceSee what it costs

Postage classes compared

Choose by how fast you need it and whether you need proof.
ClassSpeed targetDelivery recordBest for
Second classTwo to three working daysNoRoutine mailings and statements
First classNext working day for most addressesNoDeadlines and urgent notices
Second class Signed ForTwo to three working daysSignature on deliveryImportant letters on a budget
First class Signed ForNext working day for most addressesSignature on deliveryFormal notices and demands

Royal Mail rates we use

Starting postage per letter, as used in our pricing calculator:
Second class: from £0.91 per letter.
First class: from £1.80 per letter.
Second class Signed For: from £2.91 per letter.
First class Signed For: from £3.80 per letter.

Do you need Royal Mail's bulk discount?

Royal Mail offers discounted rates for sorted and barcoded mail, such as its Mailsort and Advertising Mail products. These typically need large volumes per mailing, often thousands of items, plus presorting and printing that meet its specifications. Check Royal Mail's current terms for the exact thresholds.For batches smaller than that, standard class postage through a print shop is usually simpler, because you don't have to prepare the mail yourself.

How to lower your postage bill

Small decisions before you send make the difference.
Use second class unless a date forces first class.
Add Signed For only to letters that need a delivery record.
Keep the letter short enough to stay in a standard envelope.
Remove duplicate and wrong addresses so you don't pay to post a letter that can't be delivered.
Send one larger batch instead of many small ones, so printing and envelope charges drop from 100 letters.
Holly MorganSample review, Oxford Printing Shop
Convenient and easy to deal with. The document was printed neatly and ready when expected.
Nathan BaileySample review, Thamesmead Printers
Good local option. The printing was as requested and collection was simple.
Edward JamesSample review, Oxford Printing Shop
Friendly team, clear printing and no hassle. I will keep them in mind for future jobs.
Daisy CoxSample review, Thamesmead Printers
Easy, friendly and convenient. Exactly the kind of service I needed.
Ava RichardsonSample review, Cornet shop in oxford
Helpful team and a good-quality print. It was a pleasant experience.
Yusuf BegumSample review, Woolwich Printing Shop
Convenient place to print documents in the area. Good service and an easy collection.
Holly MorganSample review, Oxford Printing Shop
Convenient and easy to deal with. The document was printed neatly and ready when expected.
Nathan BaileySample review, Thamesmead Printers
Good local option. The printing was as requested and collection was simple.
Edward JamesSample review, Oxford Printing Shop
Friendly team, clear printing and no hassle. I will keep them in mind for future jobs.
Daisy CoxSample review, Thamesmead Printers
Easy, friendly and convenient. Exactly the kind of service I needed.
Ava RichardsonSample review, Cornet shop in oxford
Helpful team and a good-quality print. It was a pleasant experience.
Yusuf BegumSample review, Woolwich Printing Shop
Convenient place to print documents in the area. Good service and an easy collection.
Holly MorganSample review, Oxford Printing Shop
Convenient and easy to deal with. The document was printed neatly and ready when expected.
Nathan BaileySample review, Thamesmead Printers
Good local option. The printing was as requested and collection was simple.
Edward JamesSample review, Oxford Printing Shop
Friendly team, clear printing and no hassle. I will keep them in mind for future jobs.
Daisy CoxSample review, Thamesmead Printers
Easy, friendly and convenient. Exactly the kind of service I needed.
Ava RichardsonSample review, Cornet shop in oxford
Helpful team and a good-quality print. It was a pleasant experience.
Yusuf BegumSample review, Woolwich Printing Shop
Convenient place to print documents in the area. Good service and an easy collection.
Holly MorganSample review, Oxford Printing Shop
Convenient and easy to deal with. The document was printed neatly and ready when expected.
Nathan BaileySample review, Thamesmead Printers
Good local option. The printing was as requested and collection was simple.
Edward JamesSample review, Oxford Printing Shop
Friendly team, clear printing and no hassle. I will keep them in mind for future jobs.
Daisy CoxSample review, Thamesmead Printers
Easy, friendly and convenient. Exactly the kind of service I needed.
Ava RichardsonSample review, Cornet shop in oxford
Helpful team and a good-quality print. It was a pleasant experience.
Yusuf BegumSample review, Woolwich Printing Shop
Convenient place to print documents in the area. Good service and an easy collection.
Nadia MalikSample review, Woolwich Printing Shop
A smooth experience from start to finish. Helpful staff and clean, readable prints.
Lucy EvansSample review, Altgate Printing Shop
A positive experience. The printing was as requested and collection was simple.
Hannah PriceSample review, Altgate Printing Shop
I appreciated how helpful the team were. They made sure the document was set up properly before printing.
Hassan KhanSample review, Cornet shop in oxford
I needed a few pages printed and they made it quick and easy. Thank you.
Charlotte GreenSample review, Woolwich Printing Shop
I appreciated the friendly service and attention to detail. Everything was printed as requested.
Ibrahim MahmoodSample review, Thamesmead Printers
Staff were polite and made sure the job was right. I would recommend them for basic document printing.
Nadia MalikSample review, Woolwich Printing Shop
A smooth experience from start to finish. Helpful staff and clean, readable prints.
Lucy EvansSample review, Altgate Printing Shop
A positive experience. The printing was as requested and collection was simple.
Hannah PriceSample review, Altgate Printing Shop
I appreciated how helpful the team were. They made sure the document was set up properly before printing.
Hassan KhanSample review, Cornet shop in oxford
I needed a few pages printed and they made it quick and easy. Thank you.
Charlotte GreenSample review, Woolwich Printing Shop
I appreciated the friendly service and attention to detail. Everything was printed as requested.
Ibrahim MahmoodSample review, Thamesmead Printers
Staff were polite and made sure the job was right. I would recommend them for basic document printing.
Nadia MalikSample review, Woolwich Printing Shop
A smooth experience from start to finish. Helpful staff and clean, readable prints.
Lucy EvansSample review, Altgate Printing Shop
A positive experience. The printing was as requested and collection was simple.
Hannah PriceSample review, Altgate Printing Shop
I appreciated how helpful the team were. They made sure the document was set up properly before printing.
Hassan KhanSample review, Cornet shop in oxford
I needed a few pages printed and they made it quick and easy. Thank you.
Charlotte GreenSample review, Woolwich Printing Shop
I appreciated the friendly service and attention to detail. Everything was printed as requested.
Ibrahim MahmoodSample review, Thamesmead Printers
Staff were polite and made sure the job was right. I would recommend them for basic document printing.
Nadia MalikSample review, Woolwich Printing Shop
A smooth experience from start to finish. Helpful staff and clean, readable prints.
Lucy EvansSample review, Altgate Printing Shop
A positive experience. The printing was as requested and collection was simple.
Hannah PriceSample review, Altgate Printing Shop
I appreciated how helpful the team were. They made sure the document was set up properly before printing.
Hassan KhanSample review, Cornet shop in oxford
I needed a few pages printed and they made it quick and easy. Thank you.
Charlotte GreenSample review, Woolwich Printing Shop
I appreciated the friendly service and attention to detail. Everything was printed as requested.
Ibrahim MahmoodSample review, Thamesmead Printers
Staff were polite and made sure the job was right. I would recommend them for basic document printing.
Poppy AdamsSample review, Cornet shop in oxford
A convenient option in Oxford. Friendly service and the pages were printed neatly.
Leo WalkerSample review, Woolwich Printing Shop
Good quality and a quick turnaround for my small job. I would use them again.
Ravi PatelSample review, Altgate Printing Shop
Good local printing service. Clear prints, friendly communication and an easy experience from start to finish.
Adam ClarkeSample review, Altgate Printing Shop
Quick and convenient. The text was crisp and the pages were clean, with no issues.
Aaliyah KhanSample review, Oxford Printing Shop
Really pleased with the service and the quality of the printed pages. Would recommend trying them.
Megan LewisSample review, Altgate Printing Shop
The staff were welcoming and made the process easy. Exactly what I needed for a small printing job.
Poppy AdamsSample review, Cornet shop in oxford
A convenient option in Oxford. Friendly service and the pages were printed neatly.
Leo WalkerSample review, Woolwich Printing Shop
Good quality and a quick turnaround for my small job. I would use them again.
Ravi PatelSample review, Altgate Printing Shop
Good local printing service. Clear prints, friendly communication and an easy experience from start to finish.
Adam ClarkeSample review, Altgate Printing Shop
Quick and convenient. The text was crisp and the pages were clean, with no issues.
Aaliyah KhanSample review, Oxford Printing Shop
Really pleased with the service and the quality of the printed pages. Would recommend trying them.
Megan LewisSample review, Altgate Printing Shop
The staff were welcoming and made the process easy. Exactly what I needed for a small printing job.
Poppy AdamsSample review, Cornet shop in oxford
A convenient option in Oxford. Friendly service and the pages were printed neatly.
Leo WalkerSample review, Woolwich Printing Shop
Good quality and a quick turnaround for my small job. I would use them again.
Ravi PatelSample review, Altgate Printing Shop
Good local printing service. Clear prints, friendly communication and an easy experience from start to finish.
Adam ClarkeSample review, Altgate Printing Shop
Quick and convenient. The text was crisp and the pages were clean, with no issues.
Aaliyah KhanSample review, Oxford Printing Shop
Really pleased with the service and the quality of the printed pages. Would recommend trying them.
Megan LewisSample review, Altgate Printing Shop
The staff were welcoming and made the process easy. Exactly what I needed for a small printing job.
Poppy AdamsSample review, Cornet shop in oxford
A convenient option in Oxford. Friendly service and the pages were printed neatly.
Leo WalkerSample review, Woolwich Printing Shop
Good quality and a quick turnaround for my small job. I would use them again.
Ravi PatelSample review, Altgate Printing Shop
Good local printing service. Clear prints, friendly communication and an easy experience from start to finish.
Adam ClarkeSample review, Altgate Printing Shop
Quick and convenient. The text was crisp and the pages were clean, with no issues.
Aaliyah KhanSample review, Oxford Printing Shop
Really pleased with the service and the quality of the printed pages. Would recommend trying them.
Megan LewisSample review, Altgate Printing Shop
The staff were welcoming and made the process easy. Exactly what I needed for a small printing job.

Frequently asked questions

Royal Mail postage starts from £0.91 for second class and £1.80 for first class per letter at the rates we use. With printing and an envelope the all-in cost is about £1.72 per letter on second class for a batch of 1,000.
Royal Mail's sorted mail products give discounts at high volumes with specific preparation rules. For smaller batches, you can lower the cost per letter by using second class and reaching 100 letters in one order.
Yes. The total you see before paying includes postage, printing, envelope and our platform fee.
Second class. Its postage is roughly half the price of first class, but it is slower.
Royal Mail prices depend on the size and weight of the item. Our figures are for a standard single-page letter in a normal envelope, so very heavy or oversized mail would cost more.
Yes. For volumes above 5,000 letters a month, contact us for custom pricing.

Related guides

The cheap way to send a letter online in the UKSend a first class letter onlineBulk letter printing, printed and posted in one orderRead the LetterAPI blog
LetterAPIPrint and post letters in the UK, from one letter to thousands.
© 2026 LetterAPI. All rights reserved.