Brand Review · Updated October 2026
Pitney Bowes Letter Folding Machine Reviews: Relay Inserters & OfficeRight Folders
An honest look at every current Pitney Bowes Relay folder inserter and OfficeRight paper folder: real speeds and monthly volumes, 2026 price ranges, what owners like and complain about, and how to get a fair deal.
Best for small offices
Relay 1000
Best overall
Relay 3500
Best folder only
OfficeRight DF900
On this page
Are Pitney Bowes letter folding machines any good?
Yes. Pitney Bowes’ Relay folder inserters are reliable, scale from about 4,000 to 500,000 envelopes a month, and are backed by one of the largest service networks in the U.S. The weak spot is the buying experience: most negative Pitney Bowes reviews are about postage meter billing, leases and customer service, not folding equipment.
Pitney Bowes, founded in 1920 and headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, is best known for postage meters. In folding and inserting, it sells two lines: Relay folder inserters, which fold, stuff and seal, and OfficeRight DF folders, which only fold.
Its machines are sold and leased directly and through dealers, often bundled with postage meters, which is exactly why comparing quotes matters.
What owners like
- Clear upgrade path from Relay 1000 to 9000
- Barcode and OMR document integrity
- Touchscreen job memory
- Large national service footprint
Common complaints
- Long leases with auto-renewal
- Billing disputes and fees
- Hard-to-reach customer service
- No published prices
Customer reviews in context: Pitney Bowes averages about 1.0 out of 5 from more than 560 reviews on ConsumerAffairs (as of October 2026). The complaints center on postage meter billing, contracts and service; we found none specifically about Relay folder inserters. The lesson: the equipment is solid, so negotiate the contract carefully and compare providers.
What Pitney Bowes Relay folder inserters are available?
Pitney Bowes’ current Relay line runs from the Relay 1000 (900 envelopes an hour, about 4,000 a month) to the Relay 9000 (up to 500,000 a month). Most offices choose between the Relay 1000, 2500, 3500 and 4500.
| Model | Rated speed | Monthly volume | Feeders | Price tier* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Relay 1000 | 900 envelopes/hr | Up to 4,000 | 2 sheet + 1 insert | Entry |
| Relay 2500 | 2,500 envelopes/hr | Up to 10,000 | 1 sheet + 1 insert | Mid-volume |
| Relay 3500 | 3,000 envelopes/hr | Up to 20,000 | 2 sheet + 1 insert | Mid-volume |
| Relay 4500 | 3,500 envelopes/hr | Up to 42,500 | 2 sheet + 1 insert | High volume |
| Relay 5000 | 4,300 envelopes/hr | Up to 62,500 | 4 sheet + 3 insert | High volume |
| Relay 6000 | 4,300 envelopes/hr | Up to 120,000 | 4 sheet + 3 insert | High volume |
| Relay 7000 / 8000 | 5,400 envelopes/hr | Up to 120,000 / 200,000 | 4 sheet + 4 insert | Production / custom |
| Relay 9000 | Varies by configuration | Up to 500,000 | Up to 14 | Production / custom |
*Speeds, volumes and feeders are Pitney Bowes’ published U.S. figures; rated speeds are maximums. Pitney Bowes does not publish prices, so tiers refer to the price ranges in the cost section below. Pitney Bowes also offers the DI2000 (1 sheet + 4 insert feeders) for insert-heavy jobs. Swipe sideways on a phone to see every column.
How does each Pitney Bowes Relay perform?
The Relay 1000 is a simple small-office inserter, the Relay 2500 and 3500 are the sweet spot for growing offices, the 4500 bridges to mailroom volume, and the 5000 through 9000 are built for billing departments and mail centers.
Pitney Bowes Relay 1000
900 envelopes/hrUp to 4,000/month2 sheet + 1 insert feeder
Pitney Bowes’ entry folder inserter for small offices replacing hand-stuffing. Two sheet feeders handle multi-page letters and the insert feeder adds a reply envelope.
Pros: compact, easy to learn, two sheet feeders. Cons: slowest Relay; small offices may also compare the Quadient DS-40i and Formax FD 6104, which run about 1,350 an hour.
Pitney Bowes Relay 2500
2,500 envelopes/hrUp to 10,000/month325-sheet feeder
Nearly three times the Relay 1000’s speed, with a color touchscreen, programmable jobs and 2D barcode scanning to keep statements accurate. It replaces the older Relay 2000 in the same speed and volume class.
Pros: big speed jump, barcode reading. Cons: single sheet feeder limits multi-document jobs.
Pitney Bowes Relay 3500
3,000 envelopes/hrUp to 20,000/month2 sheet + 1 insert feeder
The sweet spot for most growing offices. It adds a second sheet feeder to the Relay 2500’s platform, so you can combine a letter with a separate statement page, and runs faster for weekly invoice and statement mailings.
Pros: two sheet feeders, room to grow to 20,000 a month, strong service network. Cons: usually leased; dealer-only pricing.
Pitney Bowes Relay 4500
3,500 envelopes/hrUp to 42,500/month
Same feeder layout as the 3500 but rated for more than twice the monthly volume, making it a good fit for departments that mail statements every week and want headroom without moving to a floor-standing system.
Pros: high monthly rating in a compact footprint. Cons: only one insert feeder.
Pitney Bowes Relay 5000 & 6000
4,300 envelopes/hrUp to 62,500 / 120,000 per month4 sheet + 3 insert
Seven feeders, high-capacity sheet feeding and file-based processing for billing departments, healthcare and financial mail. The 6000 shares the 5000’s speed but is rated for nearly twice the monthly volume.
Pros: many feeders, strong document integrity. Cons: large footprint, high-volume price tier.
Production: Relay 7000, 8000 and 9000
The Relay 7000 and 8000 run 5,400 envelopes an hour with eight feeders for up to 120,000 and 200,000 pieces a month. The Relay 9000 is configured per installation with up to 14 feeders for as many as 500,000 a month. Compare them with other production systems on our commercial letter folding machines page.
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Does Pitney Bowes make paper folders without inserting?
Yes. The OfficeRight DF folders fold without inserting: the DF800 runs up to 13,000 sheets an hour and the DF900 up to 20,000, each with seven fold types and 20 stored jobs. There’s also the basic DF100 desktop folder for light use.
| OfficeRight folder | Rated speed | Feeder | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| DF100 | Light desktop use | Small tray | Basic letter folds for small offices |
| DF800 | Up to 13,000 sheets/hr | 325 sheets | 7 folds, 5 speeds, 20 jobs, load on the fly |
| DF900 | Up to 20,000 sheets/hr | 500 sheets | 7 folds, 7 speeds, 20 jobs, optional cross fold |
Specs from Pitney Bowes product pages. Pricing is through Pitney Bowes and its dealers; high-volume friction folders in this class typically fall in the $3,500 to $7,000 range.
If you only need folding, compare these against Martin Yale folders, which publish prices from about $460, and read our guide to automatic paper folding machines.
What about older Pitney Bowes models like the Relay 2000, DI series and Epic?
The Relay 2000 and DI-series inserters have been replaced by the current Relay line but are common used. The Epic production inserter is no longer a Pitney Bowes product: Pitney Bowes sold its production mail business to Platinum Equity in 2018, and it now operates as BlueCrest.
| Older model | What it was | Closest current option |
|---|---|---|
| Relay 2000 | ~2,500 envelopes/hr, up to 10,000/month | Relay 2500 |
| DI200 / DI380 / DI425 | Older desktop folder inserters | Relay 1000 – 3500 |
| DI950 | Older high-volume inserter | Relay 5000 / 6000 |
| Epic | Production inserter, now a BlueCrest product | Relay 9000 (Pitney Bowes) or BlueCrest systems |
Older Pitney Bowes inserters can be very cheap used, but confirm parts and service are still available before you buy. Use the checklist in our used paper folding machines guide.
How much do Pitney Bowes folder inserters cost?
Pitney Bowes doesn’t publish prices, but an entry Relay 1000 typically falls in the $4,000 to $10,000 range, mid-volume Relays roughly $12,000 to $30,000, and high-volume Relays $30,000 to $60,000 or more. Most are leased, commonly $100 to $300 a month for desktop models.
| Tier | Pitney Bowes models | Typical new price* | Typical lease* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | Relay 1000 | $4,000 – $10,000 | $100 – $300 / month |
| Mid-volume | Relay 2500, 3500 | $12,000 – $30,000 | $200 – $500 / month |
| High volume | Relay 4500, 5000, 6000 | $30,000 – $60,000+ | $400 – $1,000+ / month |
| Production | Relay 7000, 8000, 9000 | Custom; often $100,000+ | Custom |
*Estimated ranges based on general market pricing for comparable folder inserters; not Pitney Bowes quotes. Configuration, feeders, software and service plans change the price.
See the full breakdown in our envelope stuffing machine cost guide, or consider a short-term rental for seasonal mailings.
What should I check before signing a Pitney Bowes lease?
Check the term, total cost, auto-renewal and early-termination clauses, annual increases and service coverage, and price the folder inserter separately from any postage meter. These are the issues behind most negative Pitney Bowes reviews.
- ✓Unbundle it: get separate prices for the inserter and any postage meter so you can compare each.
- ✓Term and total cost: multiply the payment by the months and add every fee.
- ✓Auto-renewal: note the cancellation notice window and put a reminder on your calendar.
- ✓Early termination and increases: get the buyout formula and any annual rate escalators in writing.
- ✓Service: response time, parts, labor and loaners, and how to reach a technician.
How does Pitney Bowes compare with Quadient and other brands?
Pitney Bowes and Quadient (formerly Neopost) are the two biggest folder inserter brands, with similar speeds and volumes at each tier. Pitney Bowes stands out for its service network and two-feeder entry model; Quadient for especially easy touchscreen setup. Formax and FP often compete on price, and Martin Yale wins if you only need folding.
| Monthly volume | Pitney Bowes | Quadient | Formax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to ~5,000 | Relay 1000 | DS-40i | FD 6104 |
| ~5,000 – 20,000 | Relay 2500, 3500 | DS-64i, DS-67iQ | 6212 Series |
| ~20,000 – 80,000 | Relay 4500, 5000 | DS-77 iQ, DS-85i, DS-95i | 6406 Series |
| 120,000+ | Relay 6000 – 9000 | DS-180i, DS-700 iQ | FD 7104 Series |
Read the matching Quadient (Neopost) review and Martin Yale review, see all brands ranked in our best letter folding machines guide, or learn how inserters work in our envelope stuffing machines guide.
Why compare local providers?
- Pitney Bowes pricing and lease terms are negotiable, and competition helps
- See Pitney Bowes side by side with Quadient, Formax and FP for your volume
- Compare new, refurbished, lease and rental options in one free request
More buying tips are on our blog, and our guide to the types of paper folders explains every category.
Frequently asked questions about Pitney Bowes letter folding machines
Are Pitney Bowes letter folding machines good?
Yes. The Relay folder inserters are reliable, scale from about 4,000 to 500,000 envelopes a month, offer barcode and OMR document integrity, and are backed by a large U.S. service network. Most negative customer reviews of Pitney Bowes concern postage meter billing, leases and customer service rather than folding equipment.
Which Pitney Bowes folder inserter is best for a small business?
The Relay 1000 suits offices mailing up to about 4,000 envelopes a month. The Relay 2500 handles up to 10,000 a month at 2,500 per hour, and the Relay 3500 handles up to 20,000 a month at 3,000 per hour with two sheet feeders.
How much does a Pitney Bowes folder inserter cost?
Pitney Bowes sells and leases through its own sales team and dealers rather than publishing prices. Based on typical market pricing, an entry Relay 1000 falls in the $4,000 to $10,000 range, mid-volume Relays roughly $12,000 to $30,000, and high-volume Relays $30,000 to $60,000 or more. Desktop models commonly lease for $100 to $300 a month.
Does Pitney Bowes make paper folders that don’t insert?
Yes. The OfficeRight DF folders fold without inserting. The DF800 folds up to 13,000 sheets an hour from a 325-sheet feeder, and the DF900 up to 20,000 an hour from a 500-sheet feeder, each with seven fold types and 20 stored jobs.
Is the Pitney Bowes Epic still made by Pitney Bowes?
No. Pitney Bowes sold its production mail business, including the Epic inserter, to Platinum Equity in 2018, and it now operates as BlueCrest. Pitney Bowes’ current folder inserter line is the Relay series.
What is the difference between the Relay 2000 and Relay 2500?
The Relay 2000 is an older low-to-mid-volume model rated at about 2,500 envelopes an hour for up to 10,000 a month. The current Relay 2500 fills the same role at the same speed and volume, so it’s the model to ask about new; Relay 2000s are mostly found used.
Should I lease a Pitney Bowes folder inserter?
Leasing is common and often bundles service, but read the term, auto-renewal, annual increases and early-termination terms carefully, and don’t bundle a folder inserter into a postage meter lease without pricing each separately. Compare quotes from more than one provider.
Where can I get quotes on Pitney Bowes machines?
Request free quotes through Letter Folding Machines. Tell us your monthly volume and documents, and we match you with local providers who can quote Pitney Bowes alongside Quadient, Formax and FP options, including purchase and lease terms.
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