What lenders and brokers consider when evaluating a print finance application

Summary: When lenders and brokers assess print finance applications they focus on eight core areas: company profile and management, credit history, financials and cashflow, order book/contracts, equipment details and valuation, security and guarantees, sector risks, and the use of funds / repayment plan. Preparing clear accounts, forecasts, asset paperwork and a concise one‑page summary speeds decisions and improves terms. UK Business Loans can match your printing business to specialist lenders and brokers — Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check (takes 2 minutes — no obligation).

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check (Enquiry form is not an application — it helps us match your business to lenders/brokers. Minimum loans typically arranged from £10,000 and up.)

---

Quick summary: the 8 key areas lenders check

When evaluating a print finance application lenders and brokers typically review:

• Business profile & legal structure — how the company is set up and its trading history.
• Credit history — business and director records, recent enquiries and adverse items.
• Financials & cashflow — management accounts, bank statements and forecasts.
• Order book & contracts — evidence of repeat customers and forward pipeline.
• Equipment details — age, make/model, service history and resale value.
• Security & collateral — what assets or personal covenants are available.
• Industry risk & experience — market position, clients and specialisms.
• Use of funds & exit/repayment plan — clear purpose and how repayments will be made.

Ready to be matched with lenders who understand print? Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

1. Business profile & legal details

What lenders want to see first is a clear picture of who they would be lending to.

Company type & trading history

Provide company registration details and trading history. Most asset and invoice finance providers prefer limited companies or LLPs with at least 12 months’ trading, though specialist lenders can consider longer-established firms or structured acquisitions. Include a Companies House excerpt where available.

Ownership, management & sector experience

Detail directors’ backgrounds and operational experience in printing or manufacturing. Lenders favour management teams with sector knowledge — it reduces perceived execution risk. Short CVs for key directors and managers help underwriters decide quickly.

Helpful documents: Companies House filing, director IDs, recent utility or business address verification.

Start your enquiry — takes 2 minutes

2. Credit history, personal & business checks

Lenders check both the business credit file and directors’ personal credit records. They look for:

• Business credit score, filing history and any Company Court Judgments (CCJs).
• Director credit checks — CCJs, defaults, bankruptcies or IVA records.
• Recent credit enquiries which can indicate financial stress.

Impact: adverse credit may still be accepted but often at higher cost, with additional security or a personal guarantee. Brokers can match businesses with specialist lenders who accept specific credit profiles — include a brief, honest explanation of any adverse items to speed acceptance.

Free Eligibility Check — see lenders who’ll consider your credit profile

3. Financials & cashflow (most important)

Underwriters weigh historical performance and the ability to repay. Printing businesses tend to be project-driven, so demonstrating stable margins and a realistic cashflow forecast is crucial.

Key financial documents

• Last 2 years’ audited or filed accounts (if available).
• Latest management accounts and a 6–12 month cashflow forecast showing projected receipts and payments.
• Bank statements (typically 3–12 months depending on lender).
• VAT returns, P&L and balance sheet.

What lenders focus on

• Cash conversion cycle — how quickly customers pay and how long stock sits (paper, inks).
• Profitability by job type — gross margins on repeat vs one-off projects.
• Seasonality — predictable peaks and troughs, and how you manage them.
• Debtor quality — invoice aging and concentration by customer.

Tip: a clear one-page financial summary that highlights monthly cashflow, key customers and margin drivers makes applications much quicker to approve.

Upload documents — get matched to lenders ready for print finance

4. Order book, client contracts & concentration risk

Lenders want to see certainty of future income. A healthy, documented order book and signed contracts increase appetite and can improve pricing.

• Supply current pipeline summary, major POs and long-term contracts or retainer agreements.
• If one or two customers make up a large share of revenue (>30–40%), be ready to explain mitigation (alternate customers, contracts, diversification).
• Repeat business and long-standing customer relationships are particularly persuasive.

Get Quote Now — tell us about your order book

5. Equipment details: age, condition, valuation and mobility

For asset finance or HP, lenders assess the equipment thoroughly:

• Make, model, serial numbers and year of manufacture.
• Purchase invoices and proof of ownership/previous finance arrangements.
• Service history and maintenance records — well‑maintained presses command better terms.
• Current market valuation or broker appraisal for used machines.
• Technology risk — digital presses can depreciate faster; lenders consider remarketability.

Movable equipment (chattels) is easier to secure than permanently fitted items. Provide clear photos, service logs and up-to-date insurance details.

Need equipment finance? Get matched with specialist asset lenders

6. Security, guarantees & personal covenants

Available security influences both approval and pricing. Common items lenders may request:

• Fixed charge over machinery or a specific asset.
• Floating charge / debenture over the business assets.
• Personal guarantee from directors (common for SMEs).
• Commercial property mortgage if premises are owned.

Brokers often negotiate whether a facility can be provided with limited security (unsecured) or requires asset-backed protection. If you prefer to avoid personal guarantees, say so upfront — we’ll prioritise lenders offering alternatives where possible.

See lenders who offer secured and unsecured options — Free Eligibility Check

7. Industry & market factors for printing businesses

Sector risks that underwriters review include:

• Raw material cost volatility (paper, inks) and how you manage supplier risk.
• Energy cost exposure and steps taken to improve efficiency.
• Shift to digital communications — niche specialisms (packaging, labels, direct mail) can be more resilient.
• Supply chain stability and customer diversification.

Demonstrating niche focus, sustainability investments (energy-efficient presses), or contracts with resilient sectors strengthens an application. For more sector guidance see our printing business loans hub on printing business loans.

8. Use of funds & exit/repayment plan

Be explicit about the purpose: new press, refurbishment, working capital, acquisition or refinance. Lenders want a credible repayment plan — show how the loan drives extra capacity or cost savings, or how invoice finance will convert invoices into immediate cash.

Get Quote Now — describe your project in 2 minutes

How to prepare a strong print finance application — actionable checklist

Follow this step-by-step checklist to speed approval:

1. Gather last 2 years’ accounts and latest management accounts.
2. Prepare a 6–12 month cashflow forecast and a concise use‑of‑funds statement.
3. Compile an order book summary, key contracts and major purchase orders.
4. List equipment with photos, make/model, serial numbers and service history.
5. Collect bank statements for the last 3–12 months and VAT returns.
6. Prepare short director CVs and explanations for any adverse credit items.
7. Document available security (machinery, property) and insurance details.

One-page summary template (what lenders want): business snapshot, funding requested and purpose, top 3 customers, monthly turnover and profit margins, available security, contact details.

Use our quick checklist — Start Your Enquiry

Types of finance commonly used by printers

Common solutions and when they suit:

• Asset finance / Hire Purchase: buy presses outright with staged payments. Good when you want ownership.
• Leasing / operating lease: lower monthly cost and easier upgrades at term end.
• Invoice finance: release cash tied up in unpaid invoices to smooth working capital.
• Business loans: unsecured or secured loans for refurbishment, acquisitions or general working capital.
• Commercial property finance: for buying premises or fit-out.
• Short-term/bridge loans: to cover seasonal peaks or rapid purchases.

Unsure which fits? Get a free match from lenders who specialise in printing

Why use UK Business Loans to find print finance

UK Business Loans is a specialist introducer that helps printing companies find lenders and brokers suited to their needs. We don’t lend; we connect you to partners who can provide quotes based on your business profile. Benefits:

• Speed — many enquiries receive a response within hours.
• Sector-match — we prioritise lenders experienced in print and manufacturing.
• Confidential and no obligation — submitting the enquiry form does not commit you to anything.

Enquiry microcopy: “We only share your details with selected lenders/brokers. The enquiry form is not an application; it’s used to match you with the best partners.”

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

Next steps & FAQs

Quick actions:

• Complete the short enquiry form — takes under 2 minutes.
• Prepare the documents listed in the checklist to hand.
• Expect initial contact by phone or email from matched lenders or brokers within hours.

FAQs

Will applying via UK Business Loans affect my credit score?

No — submitting our enquiry form does not perform a credit search. Lenders may carry out credit checks only if you decide to proceed with an application.

What if I have a limited trading history or imperfect credit?

Specialist lenders and brokers can consider shorter trading histories or adverse credit. Be honest about past issues and include short explanations — brokers use that information to match you with the right partner.

How quickly can I get a quote?

Often within hours during business days. The speed depends on the complexity of the request and availability of documents.

Do you charge to match me with lenders?

No — our service is free to use. The lenders/brokers you’re introduced to will discuss any fees or costs directly with you.

---

Important: UK Business Loans introduces businesses to lenders and brokers; we do not lend or provide regulated financial advice. The enquiry form is used to match you to suitable providers — it is not an application. For a free eligibility check click here to get a quote.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check (Takes 2 minutes — we’ll match you to lenders and brokers who understand printing businesses.)

1. How quickly can I get a quote for printing business loans?
You can often receive a quote within hours after submitting our two‑minute enquiry form (which is not an application), subject to complexity and document availability.

2. Will submitting an enquiry via UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
No — the enquiry form does not trigger a credit search; lenders typically run credit checks only if you decide to proceed with an application.

3. What documents do lenders typically ask for when applying for print finance?
Typical documents for print finance include the last two years’ filed accounts, recent management accounts, 3–12 months of bank statements, a 6–12 month cashflow forecast, VAT returns, order book/contracts, equipment invoices/service records and director ID.

4. Can I get finance for my printing business with limited trading history or imperfect credit?
Yes — specialist lenders and brokers in our network may consider shorter trading histories or adverse credit, though you should expect stricter terms, additional security or the need to provide explanations.

5. Which types of finance are best for printing businesses?
Printing businesses commonly use asset finance or hire purchase for presses, leasing for upgrades, invoice finance for working capital, business loans for acquisitions/refurbishment and commercial property or bridge loans for premises and seasonal needs.

6. Will lenders ask for security or personal guarantees for print finance?
Many lenders request security such as a fixed or floating charge and often a director personal guarantee, but brokers can prioritise lenders that offer limited‑guarantee or unsecured options where available.

7. How do lenders value used printing equipment and what matters most?
Lenders value equipment based on make/model, age, serial numbers, service history, current resale value and mobility, with well‑maintained, movable presses attracting more favourable terms.

8. How important is my order book and customer concentration to lenders?
A documented order book, signed contracts and repeat customers greatly improve lender appetite and pricing, while high customer concentration (often >30–40%) requires clear mitigation strategies.

9. What’s the best way to present my application to speed approval and improve terms?
Provide a concise one‑page business snapshot plus the checklist documents (accounts, forecasts, bank statements, order book and equipment details) to help underwriters make faster, better‑priced decisions.

10. How much can I borrow for printing business finance and are there minimums?
Loan amounts vary from around £10,000 up to multi‑million facilities depending on lender appetite and security, and our free eligibility check will match you to partners who can consider your required amount.