Printing Business Loans — Finance New & Used Printing Equipment from UK & EU Suppliers
Summary (quick answer): Yes — you can arrange finance for both new and used printing equipment purchased from suppliers in the UK or EU. Options include asset finance, hire purchase, leasing, vendor finance and specialist refurbishment loans. Approval depends on the asset’s age, condition, supplier paperwork, VAT/import arrangements and your business finances. Complete a short enquiry for a Free Eligibility Check and we’ll match you to lenders or brokers who specialise in printing equipment finance.
Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check
We’re an introducer — free service. We match you with trusted brokers and lenders who specialise in equipment and asset finance. Completing the enquiry is not an application; it helps us match you to the right partners.
Short answer: Yes — new and used printing equipment can be financed
Most lenders and specialist brokers will finance new printing presses and finishing kit from UK or EU suppliers. Many also finance second‑hand, refurbished or reconditioned machines — subject to age, condition, valuation and documentation. The exact options and deposit/loan‑to‑value (LTV) vary by lender and the type of machine.
What types of printing equipment can you finance?
Finance can cover a wide range of print industry kit, including:
- Digital and commercial offset presses (sheetfed, web offset)
- Wide‑format and large format printers
- Pre‑press equipment (platesetters, RIP servers)
- Finishing & bindery (cutters, folders, guillotines, binders, laminators)
- Folding, creasing and binding lines, conveyors and stacking systems
- Consumable packages and software licences (sometimes)
- Installation, commissioning and training costs (often included)
Specialist lenders often accommodate high‑value presses and full production lines; dealers’ vendor finance may be available for new kit.
New vs used: what lenders look for
New equipment
- Easier to finance — higher LTVs and longer terms are common.
- Manufacturers’ warranties and service contracts increase lender confidence.
- Dealer/vendor finance often available with competitive terms.
Used / second‑hand equipment
- Feasible to finance, but under stricter conditions: age, hours-run, maintenance history and resale value matter.
- Specialist funders or brokers that focus on print equipment will handle older models and refurbished machines.
- Independent inspection reports and refurbishment receipts speed approvals.
- Very old, obsolete or unsupported control systems can be excluded or attract higher deposits.
Typical maximum asset age: varies widely — many lenders cap finance on equipment older than 7–10 years unless refurbished and professionally valued.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Main finance options for printing businesses
Asset finance / Hire Purchase
Common for both new and used kit. You pay fixed monthly amounts and own the asset at the end (subject to final payment). Predictable payments and straightforward accounting.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Leasing (operating & finance leases)
Operating leases keep equipment off-balance-sheet in some cases and allow upgrades; finance leases are more like hire purchase with eventual ownership.
Chattel mortgage
A secured loan where the equipment acts as security; ownership transfers to you but the lender holds a charge until repaid.
Vendor / dealer finance
Dealers and manufacturers sometimes offer attractive packages on new machines — often combined with service contracts.
Refurbishment & specialist used equipment finance
Options to fund refurbishment, reconditioning or replacement of major components — valuable for older presses.
Working capital & invoice finance
Useful alongside equipment purchases when lead times, deposits or consumables create a cashflow gap.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Each product has different tax and accounting treatment — ask your accountant or broker for specifics.
What lenders will want to see
Preparing documents before you apply will speed the process. Typical checklist:
- Supplier invoice or pro‑forma invoice (make, model, serial numbers)
- Full description of equipment, age, hours run and location
- Amount required, deposit (if any) and requested term
- Latest company accounts (usually 2–3 years) and recent management accounts
- Cashflow forecasts if the purchase materially changes your working capital
- Company registration and ID for directors
- Maintenance records, service history and any warranties for used machines
- Independent valuation or inspection report for high‑value second‑hand presses
Tip: a clear pro‑forma from a reputable UK/EU supplier plus a maintenance history materially improves finance options.
VAT, import and supplier considerations for UK or EU suppliers
Buying from UK or EU suppliers affects VAT, shipping, customs and lender acceptance:
- VAT: treatment differs if the supplier is UK- or EU‑based. New equipment vs used equipment can influence VAT handling.
- Imports & duties: for EU purchases check incoterms, who arranges shipping and who bears import duties — lenders want delivery and insurance clarified.
- Regulatory compliance: ensure equipment complies with UK safety standards (UKCA/CE where relevant) to avoid resale or insurance problems.
- Currency risk: EU purchases invoiced in EUR may introduce FX exposure — budget for this and confirm lender acceptance.
Before you sign, check VAT and import rules with your accountant or broker.
What to expect: terms, rates and deposit expectations
- Typical terms: 1–7 years; heavy presses sometimes financed over longer terms in line with useful life.
- Deposit: 0–30% typical — higher for older or specialist used machines.
- LTV: up to 75–100% for new equipment; lower for used (commonly 40–70% depending on age and condition).
- Rates: vary by credit profile, lender type and asset risk — prime new-equipment finance is cheaper than specialist used-equipment funding.
Actual rates and terms are provided by lenders after they review your full details. We only introduce you to lenders/brokers who will quote directly.
Why use UK Business Loans to arrange printing equipment finance?
- Speed — a short enquiry and we match you quickly to lenders/brokers who specialise in print equipment.
- Specialist matching — we connect you to partners who understand printing presses, finishing lines and production workflows.
- Free to use — there’s no charge to submit an enquiry and get matched.
- Confidential — we only share your details with suitable partners who can help.
- Suitable for loans of £10,000 and upwards.
Important: we are an introducer. We do not lend money and we do not give regulated financial advice. Completing an enquiry is not an application — it simply allows us to match you with lenders or brokers who will contact you with offers.
Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
How to arrange finance — step by step
- Complete a short enquiry with basic business and equipment details (takes under 2 minutes).
- We match you to suitable lenders or brokers experienced in printing equipment finance.
- Lenders/brokers contact you for full documentation and, if needed, arrange inspection/valuation of used kit.
- Compare offers and choose the best fit. Accept an offer and sign documentation.
- Funds are released, equipment is delivered/installed, and finance repayments begin.
Typical timescales: new equipment decisions can be rapid (often days); used kit requiring inspection/valuation may take longer.
FAQs — quick answers
Can I finance both new and used printing equipment?
Yes. New equipment is generally easier to finance. Used equipment can be financed subject to age, condition and valuation — specialist lenders help with older or reconditioned presses.
Is financing available for EU‑sourced equipment?
Yes. Many lenders will finance purchases from EU suppliers, but VAT, import, shipping and currency details must be clear and documented.
How old is too old to finance?
There’s no single age limit. Many lenders become cautious for equipment older than 7–10 years unless it has been refurbished and professionally valued.
Do I need a deposit?
Often yes for used equipment. Deposits for new kit can be lower or zero if vendor finance is available.
Will enquiring affect my credit score?
No — submitting our introductory enquiry does not perform a credit search. Lenders may carry out credit checks later if you proceed.
How much can be financed?
We commonly help arrange finance from around £10,000 upwards; our partners handle larger requests too depending on the project.
For detailed guidance specific to the print sector, see our industry page on printing business loans which explains typical lender preferences and case studies.
Get Started — Free Eligibility Check
1. Can I finance new and used printing equipment from UK or EU suppliers?
Yes — printing business loans and printing equipment finance are available for both new and used machines purchased from UK or EU suppliers, subject to the asset’s age, condition and supplier paperwork.
2. What finance options exist for printing equipment?
Common options include asset finance/hire purchase, operating or finance leases, chattel mortgages, vendor/dealer finance, specialist refurbishment loans and working capital/invoice finance.
3. Do I need a deposit to finance a printing press?
Deposits vary by lender and asset condition — typically 0–30% with higher deposits for older or specialist used machines and lower or zero deposits possible for new vendor‑financed kit.
4. How old is too old to get printing equipment finance?
There’s no fixed cutoff, but many lenders become cautious for equipment older than 7–10 years unless it has been professionally refurbished, inspected and valued.
5. Will submitting a Free Eligibility Check through UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
No — submitting our short enquiry to match you with lenders and brokers does not perform a credit search, though lenders may run checks later in the application process.
6. Can EU‑sourced printing machines be financed and how are VAT/import issues handled?
Yes — EU‑sourced equipment can be funded, but lenders require clear VAT treatment, shipping, import duties and insurance arrangements before approving finance.
7. How much can I borrow to fund printing equipment purchases?
We typically help arrange printing equipment finance from around £10,000 upwards, with partners able to support much larger sums for high‑value presses and production lines.
8. What documents do lenders need for printing equipment finance applications?
Lenders usually want a supplier or pro‑forma invoice (make, model, serial), equipment details, company accounts and management accounts, director ID, and maintenance/inspection reports for used kit.
9. How long does arranging finance for printing equipment usually take?
New equipment can often be financed within days, while used or refurbished machines that need inspection or valuation can take longer to secure funding.
10. Is completing the enquiry form an application for a loan?
No — the enquiry is just a free matchmaking step to connect you with specialist brokers and lenders for pricing and formal loan applications, and it is not regulated financial advice.