An Post is launching a new service that lets customers buy postage online.

'Click & Post' allows customers to print off a label at home or download it directly to their phone for printing at the post office.

They can then drop off their item at any post office or parcel locker.

The launch also marks a parcel price reduction for sending in Ireland and the UK.

The company says prices have been reduced as much as 30% to the UK when sending larger items.

It adds: "Click & Post eliminates the stress of posting small and large packages all over the world with its fool proof step by step guide to help users calculate their postage costs.

"The handy weight guide will help users match everyday household items with weight bands."

For example, two litres of milk is used as the guide for a 2kg package.

Image via @Postvox on Twitter

Some other tips include to use proper packing tape, and always use block capitals when handwriting addresses this festive season.

The new service also makes returning online shopping faster and easier.

Users can book a return and choose to have their item collected or drop it off at their local post office or parcel locker, all through the online portal.

Garrett Bridgeman is managing director of An Post Mails and Parcels.

He said: "An Post's Click & Post is a new online service, designed to meet the needs of customers' daily lives.

"It is an incredibly user-friendly service that makes posting and returning packages even easier for our customers.

"We know that this new online option will relieve a little bit of stress for our personal and small business customers, giving them some valuable time back, especially in the busy weeks ahead."

Image: An Post

This new services comes just weeks after the postal company secured an EU loan of €40m to drive its digital, retail and green transformation.

The European Investment Bank-backed investment will allow more than 750 fully electric vehicles to be used for local deliveries across the country, and digital customer services to be upgraded across the retail network - including 950 modernised post offices.

An Post says customers will also benefit from high-performance automated parcel sorting and replacement of paper forms with app-based technology.