Printing Business Loans — How to Finance a Factory or Warehouse

Last updated: 31 October 2025
Author: UK Business Loans — specialist introducer connecting UK businesses to lenders and brokers

Need a factory or warehouse for your printing or packaging business? You can finance commercial premises — from buying a freehold unit to refurbishing a warehouse for press lines. UK Business Loans doesn’t lend money; we match you to lenders and brokers who can provide quotes tailored to your needs. Complete a quick enquiry to get a free eligibility check and tailored lender matches: Get a Free Eligibility Check.

Table of contents

• Short answer
• Why printing & packaging businesses need premises finance
• Types of finance for factories & warehouses
• What lenders look for — eligibility checklist
• Typical loan sizes, terms & costs
• How to prepare your application (step-by-step)
• Benefits of using UK Business Loans
• Case study examples
• FAQs
• Compliance & risk notice
• Ready to get a quote?

Short answer

Yes — commercial premises for a printing or packaging business (factory or warehouse) can be financed. Common routes are commercial mortgages for long-term purchase, bridging loans for quick deals, development/refurbishment finance for conversions, and asset finance bundled for presses and equipment. Eligibility depends on business finances, property details and the lender’s risk appetite. For personalised lender matches, Get a Free Eligibility Check.

Why printing & packaging businesses need premises finance

Printing and packaging firms often need premises finance when they:

• Buy a production unit to control lead times and capacity.
• Move from shared space to a dedicated warehouse with loading bays and storage (B2/B8 or B2 use classes).
• Refurbish or fit out space for heavy presses, ink storage, ventilation or floors that support heavy equipment.
• Expand to add new lines — additional space reduces production bottlenecks during seasonal peaks.
• Secure a strategic location closer to suppliers, clients or logistics hubs.

Printing is capital-intensive: presses, binders and consumables tie up cash. Premises finance lets you spread the cost, combine property and asset funding, and protect working capital.

Types of finance available for factories & warehouses

Different finance products suit different timings and goals. Below is a quick guide to common options for printing & packaging premises.

Commercial mortgage (purchase)

What it is: Long-term loan secured on the commercial property (freehold or long leasehold). Typical term: 5–25 years or more.

How printers use it: Buying a unit to house presses, storage and packing. Offers lower rates than short-term options but requires a deposit and underwriting.

Pros/cons: Lower cost long-term funding vs larger upfront deposit and slower decision times.

Bridging loan

What it is: Short-term, quick funding to bridge a gap (e.g., buying a new site before selling the old one).

How printers use it: Secure an attractive property quickly; refinance to a commercial mortgage later.

Pros/cons: Fast but more expensive; suitable for short holding periods.

Development & refurbishment finance

What it is: Loans or facilities specifically to convert or upgrade premises — can be staged to match build milestones.

How printers use it: Converting storage space into production areas, installing reinforced floors, ventilation, extraction for inks or statutory compliance upgrades.

Asset and equipment finance

What it is: Funding for plant & machinery — hire purchase, leasing or asset refinance.

How printers use it: Buy presses, binders, cutters and conveyors while conserving working capital. Asset finance can often be taken alongside property finance to create a combined solution.

Refinance / remortgage

What it is: Replace existing commercial loans to release equity or secure better terms.

How printers use it: Free up cash to upgrade equipment or expand capacity.

Specialist lenders & blended solutions

Manufacturing and industrial property specialists can offer bespoke terms, and brokers can combine mortgages, asset finance and working capital to create the optimum package. For sector-specific options read more on our printing industry page about printing business loans.

Quick tip: If you need immediate funds to secure a purchase, a bridging loan followed by a commercial mortgage is a common route.

Get a Free Eligibility Check

What lenders look for — eligibility checklist

Lenders assess risk across the business and the property. Typical checklist items:

• Business profile: Legal entity (limited company), trading history, turnover and profitability. Many lenders prefer established businesses, but specialist funds may consider younger firms with strong plans.
• Accounts & cashflow: 2–3 years historic accounts where available, current management accounts, cashflow forecasts and evidence of stable or growing sales.
• Property specifics: Use class (B2 light industrial / B8 storage), location, size, access for HGVs, loading bays and compliance with planning/health & safety.
• Valuation & deposit / LTV: Commercial lenders typically lend at lower LTVs than residential – often 60–75% LTV for industrial properties; specialist lenders may vary.
• Security & guarantees: Charge over the property; many lenders require director guarantees for SMEs.
• Credit history: Business and director credit histories are reviewed; adverse history can be mitigated but may increase cost or require specialist brokers.

In plain terms: stronger accounts, lower LTV and a property suited to production increase your chances and attract better rates.

Typical loan sizes, terms & costs

Illustrative ranges (varies by lender and risk):

• Commercial mortgages: from around £50,000 up to several million (typical SME deals often £100k–£2m).
• Bridging loans: usually from £25k upwards, often used for shorter periods (weeks to 12 months).
• Asset finance for presses/equipment: commonly £10k–£500k or more depending on kit.

Costs to expect: interest (fixed or variable), arrangement fees, valuation and legal fees, possible exit fees on short-term products. Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) may apply on property purchases — factor this into your budget.

Rates vary widely by lender and credit profile — you’ll get specific pricing once matched to lenders/brokers who understand printing & manufacturing.

How to prepare your application (step-by-step)

Well-prepared applications speed approval and improve offers. Follow these steps:

1. Gather accounts: 2–3 years statutory accounts where possible and latest management accounts.
2. Prepare cashflow forecasts: 12–24 month projection showing how the new premises and costs affect cashflow.
3. Business plan summary: purpose of the purchase, how capacity or efficiency improves, and estimated return on investment.
4. Property paperwork: title, lease terms (if leasehold), floor plans, planning consents and any licences for storage of chemicals/inks.
5. Quotes for fit-out/equipment: supplier quotes help lenders size development finance and validate costs.
6. Valuation & surveys: lenders usually commission a survey; having a pre-purchase valuation or survey can help.
7. Director information: CVs, ID, proof of address and history of any past insolvencies or CCJs (full disclosure helps).

Quick tip: highlight sector experience (print volumes, major contracts) to show demand and reduce perceived risk.

Benefits of using UK Business Loans

• We match you quickly to lenders and brokers familiar with manufacturing, printing and warehousing.
• Free, no‑obligation eligibility check — you decide whether to proceed with any lender contact.
• We save time by directing your enquiry to lenders who understand press equipment, fit-out needs and industrial property issues.

Ready to see who can fund your factory or warehouse? Get a Free Eligibility Check and get matched to the right lenders and brokers.

Case study / quick examples

Frequently asked questions

Can I get financing for commercial premises (a factory or warehouse) for a printing or packaging business?

Yes. Commercial mortgages, bridging loans, development finance and asset packages are commonly used. Eligibility depends on the business’s financials and property details. Start with a free eligibility check to get matched.

Is it possible to finance commercial premises—factory or warehouse—for a printing or packaging business?

Yes. Lenders consider turnover, profitability, property use class and valuation. Specialist lenders and brokers often have tailored products for industrial premises.

Can commercial premises (factory/warehouse) for a printing or packaging business be financed?

Yes — many lenders combine property and equipment finance so you can fund both site purchase and presses within a single solution if needed.

Can I finance a factory or warehouse for my printing business if I’m a start-up?

Possibly. Some specialist funds and development lenders support younger businesses, particularly when directors provide security or the plan demonstrates strong projected contracts. Brokers can best identify these niche routes.

Will applying through UK Business Loans affect our credit score?

No — completing our initial enquiry does not affect your business credit score. Lenders may perform checks later if you proceed and provide consent.

Will I need a personal guarantee?

Many commercial lenders request director guarantees for SME borrowers. Requirements vary by lender and deal structure.

Compliance & risk notice

UK Business Loans is an introducer that connects businesses with lenders and brokers — we do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. Submitting an enquiry is free and does not commit you to a loan. Product terms, rates and eligibility are set by the lenders and brokers we introduce you to. Always review lender documentation and consider independent advice if unsure.

Ready to explore finance for your factory or warehouse?

Get matched to lenders and brokers who understand printing and packaging. It takes two minutes to complete our quick enquiry and receive no‑obligation quotes. Get a Free Eligibility Check.

1) Can I get a loan to buy a factory or warehouse for my printing or packaging business?
Yes — printing business loans for factories and warehouses are widely available via commercial mortgages, bridging loans, development finance or blended packages and you can start with a free eligibility check to get matched to suitable lenders and brokers.

2) What types of finance can I use to fund a printing premises (factory/warehouse)?
Common options include commercial mortgages for long-term purchase, bridging loans for quick deals, development/refurbishment finance for conversions, and asset finance for presses and equipment.

3) How much can I typically borrow to buy commercial premises for a printing business?
Commercial mortgages commonly range from around £50k up to several million for SMEs (typical deals often £100k–£2m), with bridging loans and asset finance available from lower amounts.

4) What do lenders look for when assessing a printing business for premises finance?
Lenders typically assess company structure and trading history, 2–3 years’ accounts or management accounts, cashflow forecasts, property use class and valuation, LTV, and director credit histories.

5) Can start-ups or new printing businesses get finance for a factory or warehouse?
Possibly — specialist lenders and development funds may support younger businesses if there is strong trading evidence, solid forecasts, or suitable security and director support.

6) Will submitting an enquiry through UK Business Loans affect our credit score?
No — completing UK Business Loans’ initial enquiry is not a formal application and does not affect your business credit score, though lenders may run checks later with your consent.

7) Will I need a personal or director guarantee to secure premises finance for my printing business?
Many commercial lenders do require director or personal guarantees for SME borrowers, but requirements vary by lender, deal size and risk profile.

8) How long does it take to get matched and actually secure funding for a printing factory or warehouse?
UK Business Loans typically matches you to lenders or brokers within hours, while securing funding can take weeks to several months depending on the product (bridging is faster; mortgages and development finance take longer).

9) Can I finance both the property and printing equipment (presses, binders) together?
Yes — brokers and specialist lenders often offer blended solutions combining property finance with asset or equipment finance to fund both site purchase and machinery.

10) What costs should I budget for when buying and fitting a printing premises?
Factor in interest and arrangement fees, valuation and legal fees, fit‑out and installation costs, potential SDLT on purchase, and a contingency for surveys or compliance upgrades.