BeLight Software Mail Factory 1.3

By: Mark Sparrow

PRINT ENVELOPES AND LABELS

£17 Smart envelopes and labels are just a mouse click away

We reviewed a fabulous little program from a Ukraine software developer called Business Card Composer back in issue 135, and really impressed us. Now the developers, BeLight Software, have done it again with a great program called Mail Factory. This bargain priced utility can print single or batch addresses from Address Book, Entourage and a raft of other databases. It not only makes the printing of labels and envelopes really easy, but it also has some clever features to take the misery out of mailing.

The first clever feature is that you can print out labels on a variety of stationery from makers such as Avery. Most makes and sizes of labels - including video and diskette labels - are catered for, and you can choose where to start your printing, so you can make use of sheets with just a few labels on.

As well as printing onto sticky labels, you can also set up to print on single labels for mailing parcels or you can print onto a whole heap of envelope sizes. Each label can be customized with your choice of font, and there's some good clip art and mailing symbols included. Graphics include handling instructions, mailing requests and safety directions. It all adds up to a very professional look.

Perhaps the best part of this program is the support for the Royal Mail's postal barcodes. If the address you're printing includes a postcode, Mail Factory can print a barcode on your label or envelopes, enabling you to negotiate a bulk postage rate with Royal Mail and reduce your mailing cost.

What sets this program apart from similar offerings is the tight integration between Address Book and Entourage, so you can keep contact address up to date and print out an envelope quickly. And there's nothing like a neatly addressed envelope to make a good impression.

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