For some fourth dimension now , Mac users have n’t had a good means to print label that admit United States Postal Service ( USPS ) postage stamp , but buyolympia.com , the Jehovah of SwordfishExpress (; “ More Mac Software Bargains , ” May 2003 ) , has team up with the online postage service Endicia to exchange all that , with SwordfishExpress 2.0 . The new version is currently the only USPS - empower Mac client for make postage - paid labels . ( It does not support Express Mail or international chain armor , but the troupe says that both will be available in a future release . )
The SwordfishExpress 2.0 software package is free , and it ’s a great label - printing program even if you do n’t want to print stamp . If you do , you need to signalize up for anEndicia story , which costs $ 20 per month or $ 200 per year , plus the monetary value of any postage used . Since the USPS discounts inspection and repair such as Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation when you use electronic labels , these savings will promptly make up for the recurring fee if you do a sight of shipping . However , users who ship only a few items a month will care there were a per - package fee instead , based on the postage stamp used .
Convenient Label Creation
To create a posting recording label , you provide the software with all the relevant information , such as the receiver ’s address , the service you want to use , and the weight of the computer software . ( If you have a keep going scale with a USB connector , the weight can be entered automatically ; if you do n’t have such a exfoliation , you must matter the parcel on a disjoined scale and enter the weight manually . ) SwordfishExpress 2.0 then calculates the entire fee and prints the recording label on 8.5 - by-11 - inch paper . Although you ca n’t yet print directly onto envelopes , the course of study can print to Zebra label pressman and Dymo LabelWriters such as the LabelWriter 330 Turbo (; March 2004 ) . As you make and print postage label , you ’re read the Libra in your Endicia account statement . add together stamp to your account is simple . select a button and signal the amount of postage stamp you need .
To make inputting data easy , SwordfishExpress supports vCards , provide direct access to OS X ’s Address Book ( a downloadable plug - in , uncommitted from the buyolympia.com Web site , even lease you generate recording label like a shot from a contact in Address Book ) , and corroborate OS X services — so you’re able to produce a label from an destination in any services - aware app .
Good Track Record
SwordfishExpress 2.0 ’s Mailing Log keep trail of entropy on every piece of land mailed via the practical program . you may even print official USPS mailing records or export the logarithm for use in a spreadsheet or a database . If your business uses its own inventory or fulfillment software , you may also make workflows — using AppleScript , XML , or a downloadable dictation - rail line putz — that print recording label and caterpillar tread monetary value from within your computer software .
When shipping worthful particular , you have the option of buy indemnity through Endicia . The company tell that its service is less expensive than insurance from the USPS and less of a fuss when making claims ; we did n’t try out this military service .
Macworld’s Buying Advice
If you carry a Mac - based business with even a moderate USPS shipping volume , SwordfishExpress 2.0 ’s gismo and tracking feature will likely be worth the service fee . If you ’re a family user , the intersection ’s usefulness will depend largely on how much mail service you send . In any case , SwordfishExpress 2.0 is a ready to hand ( and free ) tool for creating label .
