Printing business finance: what minimum turnover and trading history do lenders require?

Quick summary: Short answer — requirements vary by finance type. Many lenders want at least 6–12 months’ trading for invoice and equipment-backed products, 12+ months and typically £50k+ turnover for unsecured business loans, and 2+ years plus stronger turnover (often £250k+) for larger commercial facilities. Specialist asset finance and vendor deals can fund presses for newer firms. Get a free eligibility check to see which option fits your printing business: Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now.

UK Business Loans is an introducer. We do not lend or give financial advice. We match you with FCA-regulated brokers and lenders where applicable. Submitting an enquiry is free and won’t affect your credit score. We typically help arrange finance from around £10,000 upwards.

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Quick answer (short, practical)

Different finance products impose different minimums. As a printing firm, you’ll commonly see:

• Asset / equipment finance: possible with little or no trading history if the equipment itself (presses, cutters) acts as security or if vendor finance is available.
• Invoice finance (factoring / discounting): typically 6–12 months’ trading and a consistent B2B invoice profile; lenders care more about your customers’ creditworthiness than your raw turnover.
• Unsecured business loans: many lenders prefer 12+ months’ trading and turnover often from ~£50,000 upward; stronger turnover improves pricing.
• Commercial / larger facilities: for acquisitions or major expansion expect 2+ years’ trading and turnover commonly £250k+.

Exceptions exist — specialist lenders target printing & packaging and may accept shorter trading records when good contracts, client references or deposits exist. To check your options, complete a quick, free enquiry: Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

Why printing businesses can be treated differently by lenders

Printing is an asset-heavy, contract-driven sector. Lenders know presses, finishing kit and tooling retain value and that invoicing cycles and client concentration (big repeat buyers) can significantly influence risk.

Key sector traits that affect lending decisions:

• High-value equipment purchases (capital expenditure can be financed against the asset).
• Large, infrequent invoices on B2B contracts — ideal for invoice finance.
• Seasonality and stock/consumables cycles that create cashflow swings.

Because of these characteristics, some lenders focus more on cashflow, client contracts and asset values than on headline turnover alone.

Typical minimum trading history by type of finance

Here’s what most lenders and brokers expect depending on the funding type. Read each section to match the product to your situation.

Asset finance / equipment finance (presses, finishing kit)

Typical requirement: often minimal trading history. Many asset finance providers will fund equipment for businesses with under 12 months trading — especially where the machine is new, retains value and supplier/vendor schemes exist.

Practical tips:

• Provide supplier quotes, a purchase invoice or a vendor finance option — this speeds approval.
• Show a basic business plan demonstrating how the new press increases capacity and margins.
• Be prepared to offer a deposit (often 10–25%) if trading history is short.

Invoice finance (factoring / discounting)

Typical requirement: 6–12 months trading and regular B2B invoices. Lenders focus on the credit quality of your customers and the concentration risk (i.e. one client representing too large a share).

Practical tips:

• Supply aged debtor reports and examples of recent large invoices.
• Highlight long-term contracts or repeat clients — this matters more than your turnover figure alone.
• Invoice finance can be used by firms with seasonal peaks to smooth cashflow quickly.

Business loans (unsecured and secured)

Typical requirement: unsecured loans usually expect 12+ months trading and many lenders prefer turnover from around £50,000 upwards. Secured loans can be more flexible if you have business or personal assets to pledge.

Practical tips:

• Prepare 3–6 months of bank statements and management accounts.
• Secured options (asset or property-backed) may accept shorter trading if collateral is strong.

Merchant cash advance & short-term options

Typical requirement: more flexible on trading-years; providers look at card takings or invoice volumes. These solutions can be quick but are often costlier — use them for short-term working capital needs only.

What lenders actually look at (not just turnover)

Turnover is one signal — but lenders evaluate a combination of factors to assess risk and price facilities.

• Cashflow and bank statements: patterns, overdraft usage and seasonal peaks.
• Customer quality: for invoice finance the creditworthiness of your clients matters most.
• Profitability and margins: printing margins vary by product type and materials costs.
• Asset value & age: for equipment finance lenders assess market residual value and maintenance records.
• Contracts and order book: evidence of recurring work or forward orders strengthens an application.
• Director credit history: personal scores are often considered for smaller, owner-managed printers.

Documents to prepare to improve your odds:

1. 6–12 months bank statements
2. Management accounts or accountant-prepared accounts (where available)
3. VAT returns and recent sales invoices
4. Client contracts, purchase orders and supplier quotes for kit

Want help matching your file to the best lenders? Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

Typical minimum turnover bands & real examples

Use these bands as a quick rule-of-thumb rather than strict thresholds — lender appetite and product choice make a big difference.

• Below £50k turnover: options exist — primarily vendor/equipment finance, invoice finance if you invoice reliable B2B clients, or higher-cost short-term loans.
• £50k–£250k: many unsecured lenders and invoice finance providers are more willing to offer competitive terms.
• £250k+: full range of facilities including larger working capital lines, property loans and structured growth finance.

Mini case studies:

• Small digital print start-up (6 months trading) financed an £18k digital press via equipment finance using a supplier invoice and a 20% deposit.
• Mid-size packaging printer (18 months trading, £300k turnover) released £50k in working capital by using invoice finance against long-standing B2B clients.

How to improve eligibility quickly (checklist)

Here’s what to do next to present the strongest case:

• Gather 3–12 months bank statements, VAT returns and management accounts.
• Collect supplier quotes and equipment invoices for asset finance applications.
• Compile aged debtor lists and client contracts for invoice finance.
• Consider a deposit or partial payment to lower lender risk on equipment deals.
• Use a broker who specialises in printing / manufacturing — they know which lenders accept shorter trading records.

Ready to be matched to lenders experienced in printing? Start your free enquiry — Get Quote Now.

How UK Business Loans helps

We match your printing business to brokers and lenders who specialise in the right product for your needs — equipment finance, invoice finance, working capital or growth loans. Our process is quick and free: submit a short enquiry, we match you to partners, and lenders contact you with tailored quotes.

We are an introducer. We do not lend or give financial advice. Submitting an enquiry is free and won’t affect your credit score. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

FAQs

Do I need two years’ trading to get printing finance?

No. It depends on the finance type. Equipment and vendor finance can fund presses for newer businesses; invoice finance generally needs 6–12 months and unsecured loans commonly ask for 12+ months.

Our Business Finance Matching Process

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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.

What turnover do lenders typically require?

It varies: unsecured loans often look for £50k+ turnover, invoice finance focuses on invoice volume and client credit, and larger facilities typically expect £250k+ turnover.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No — completing a free enquiry through UK Business Loans will not affect your business credit score. Lenders may perform checks later if you formally apply.

Can start-ups buy presses with finance?

Yes — equipment finance and vendor schemes commonly fund presses for start-ups provided the asset and supplier documentation are satisfactory.

What documents will lenders request?

Expect bank statements, management accounts or tax returns, VAT returns, client contracts, and equipment quotes or invoices.

How fast will I hear back?

Often within hours to a couple of days for initial contact. Formal offers may take longer depending on the product and checks required.

Ready to check your eligibility? Get a free quote now.

Next steps

1) Click Start Your Enquiry. 2) Provide a few details (business name, funding required, contact info). 3) We match you to lenders/brokers who understand printing businesses; they’ll contact you with quotes. Free, no obligation — loans are typically arranged from around £10,000 upwards. We only share your enquiry with trusted partners.

Internal links / further reading

• UK Business Loans (home)
• printing business loans (industry page)
• equipment finance
• invoice finance
• business loans
• contact us

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For a deeper guide on options and provider specialisms for printers, see our industry page on printing business loans.

1. Do I need two years’ trading to get printing business finance?
No — many products like asset/equipment finance and some vendor deals accept under 12 months’ trading, while invoice finance typically wants 6–12 months and unsecured loans commonly expect 12+ months.

2. What minimum turnover do lenders usually require for printing business loans?
Turnover needs vary by product: unsecured loans often look for ~£50k+, invoice finance focuses on invoice volume and customer quality, and larger commercial facilities commonly expect £250k+.

3. Can start-ups buy presses with finance if they have little trading history?
Yes — equipment finance and vendor finance frequently fund presses for start-ups when the asset and supplier documentation are strong and a deposit may be available.

4. How long does it take to get matched and hear back after submitting an enquiry?
You can often receive initial contact within hours to a couple of days after a free enquiry, with formal offers taking longer depending on checks and product type.

5. Will submitting a free eligibility enquiry affect my business credit score?
No — completing a free enquiry via UK Business Loans does not affect your business credit score; lenders may perform checks only on formal applications.

6. What documents should I prepare to improve my chances of printing finance approval?
Prepare 3–12 months of bank statements, management accounts or tax returns, VAT returns, aged debtor lists, client contracts, and equipment quotes or invoices.

7. Can I get invoice finance with turnover below £50k?
Possibly — if you have reliable B2B invoices and strong client creditworthiness, some invoice finance providers will work with lower turnover businesses.

8. Are the brokers and lenders UK Business Loans matches me with regulated?
Yes — UK Business Loans introduces you to FCA-regulated brokers and reputable lenders who specialise in business and printing-sector finance.

9. What loan sizes are typically available through UK Business Loans for printers?
Through our network you can access facilities from around £10,000 up to multi‑million commercial financings, depending on lender appetite and your business profile.

10. Do I have to accept an offer after using UK Business Loans’ free service?
No — the enquiry is free and no obligation; you’re matched to lenders and can compare offers without pressure to proceed.