Yes — many UK lenders and brokers will finance second‑hand printing machinery. Whether you need a used press, guillotine, or die cutter, asset finance (hire purchase, leasing), vendor finance or commercial lending are common routes. Terms depend on the asset’s age, condition, valuation and your company finances. For loans from around £10,000 and up we can match you with specialist lenders and brokers for a free, no‑obligation eligibility check.

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Can UK printers finance second‑hand presses, guillotines and die cutters?

Short answer: Yes. Most UK printing businesses can access finance for used printing equipment via asset finance (hire purchase, finance leases), vendor/supplier funding, secured business loans or refinancing. Lender appetite depends on the machine’s remaining useful life, condition, valuation and the applicant’s business performance. Typical loan sizes we arrange start at around £10,000 and can run into hundreds of thousands for larger or multiple machines.

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Types of finance printers commonly use for used machinery

Asset finance / equipment finance (Hire Purchase and chattel mortgage)

Hire Purchase (HP) is frequently used to buy used presses. You pay an initial deposit (if required) and monthly instalments. Ownership transfers after the final payment. HP suits businesses that want to own the machine at the end of the term.

Finance lease / operating lease

Leasing can be attractive if you prefer lower upfront cost and want to upgrade after a set term. An operating lease treats the device like rental — you usually don’t own it at the end unless there’s a purchase option.

Vendor / supplier finance

Many dealers or refurbishers offer finance packages for second‑hand equipment, sometimes through a partner lender. These can be competitive and convenient, especially where a warranty or refurbishment certification is available.

Secured business loans / commercial loans

If you prefer a single loan to fund multiple assets or working capital alongside equipment, a secured business loan that takes the equipment (or other company assets) as security can work.

Invoice finance & short‑term cashflow loans

When timing is tight — for example to secure a second‑hand press quickly — invoice finance or short‑term bridging finance can bridge the gap until a longer‑term facility is arranged.

Each product has different lender appetites for used kit — many lenders will lend on refurbished or low‑age second‑hand machinery; very old machines or those with limited resale value may be harder to finance. If you’re unsure which option fits, complete a quick enquiry and we’ll match you to the right specialists.

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What lenders look for when financing used printing equipment

Lenders and brokers typically assess both the machine and the business. Key factors include:

• Asset age & model: expected remaining economic life and availability of parts.
• Condition & maintenance: full service history, refurbishment records, recent inspection reports.
• Market value / independent valuation: realistic resale value determines loan‑to‑value (LTV).
• Compliance & safety: serial numbers, CE/PAT or other safety certificates where applicable.
• Business financials: turnover, profit/loss, bank statements and credit profile.
• Supplier guarantees: any dealer warranty or refurbishment guarantee improves lender appetite.

Practical tip: having a short independent valuation and clear photos ready before enquiry often speeds approval and improves terms.

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Typical terms, deposits and likely costs for used equipment

Every deal varies, but these are typical market ranges to help you plan (indicative only):

• Loan sizes: from around £10,000 to £500,000+, depending on kit and business.
• Loan to value (LTV): commonly 40%–80% for used equipment — younger/refurbished machines attract higher LTVs.
• Terms: 2–7 years is common; larger presses may be financed over longer terms.
• Deposits: 0%–30% depending on lender and asset condition.
• Costs & fees: arrangement fees, valuation fees, maintenance insurance and potential early repayment charges.
• Rates: dependent on lender, borrower credit and security — expect a wide range; always compare multiple offers.

Example scenario (illustrative): a 5‑year HP to buy a £50,000 refurbished press. If a lender offers 70% finance, you may put down £15,000 and borrow £35,000 with fixed monthly payments over 60 months — exact payments vary with rate and fees.

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Should you buy used or buy new?

Both options have merits. Consider the checklist below when deciding:

Pros of used machinery

• Lower capital cost and quicker upgrade cycles.
• Less depreciation hit versus buying new.
• Good for businesses that don’t need the absolute latest specs.

Cons of used machinery

• Higher maintenance and downtime risk.
• Shorter useful life can reduce lender LTV and raise finance costs.
• Often limited or no manufacturer warranty.

Quick checklist to decide: your cashflow, expected runtime, client delivery standards, availability of service support and spare parts. If uptime and the latest technology are critical for key contracts, new may be better; if cost savings and speed matter, high‑quality refurbished equipment often represents strong value.

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How to prepare — documents & actions that speed approval

Before you apply, gather:

• Recent company accounts (2–3 years) or latest management accounts.
• Bank statements (3–6 months).
• Seller contact, full equipment quote, photos and serial numbers.
• Service/maintenance history and any safety/compliance certificates.
• Director ID and company registration details, VAT number (if applicable).

Helpful extra: an independent valuation or dealer refurbishment certificate can materially improve offers. When you submit your enquiry, upload these documents to get quicker, more accurate quotes.

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Alternative funding routes for printers

• Refinance existing equipment to release capital.
• Invoice finance to unlock working capital if incoming invoices are tied up.
• Vendor or manufacturer deals where suppliers include finance or maintenance bundles.
• Grants & local funding — occasional sector grants and regional investment programmes can help; check GOV.UK and industry bodies for current schemes.

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How UK Business Loans helps printers find the right finance

Our service connects your business with lenders and brokers experienced in printing and manufacturing equipment finance. Typical process:

1. Complete a short enquiry form with a few details (turnover, loan amount, equipment details).
2. We match you to lenders/brokers in our network who specialise in equipment or printing sector deals.
3. You receive rapid contact and compare offers — there is no obligation to proceed.

Example case (anonymised): “A Midlands print shop secured £35,000 for a refurbished Heidelberg press via a 5‑year HP. We introduced them to a specialist broker; a quote arrived in 24 hours and the machine was funded within three weeks.”

We are an introducer — we do not lend and we do not provide regulated financial advice. We pass your enquiry to lenders and brokers who will provide offers, terms and next steps.

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FAQs

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No — an initial enquiry via our platform does not affect your credit score. Lenders may run formal credit checks later when you proceed with an application.

Can start-ups get finance for used kit?

Start‑ups can access finance, though lenders may require stronger deposit levels, guarantors or business projections. We will match you to lenders that consider early stage businesses.

Do lenders fund very old machinery?

Depends on remaining useful life and resale value. Very old machines with limited spare parts or resale demand are harder to finance and may attract lower LTVs or be rejected.

Can I refinance existing equipment?

Yes — refinancing or consolidation is possible and may improve cashflow. We can introduce brokers who specialise in refinance deals.

Are warranties required?

Not always, but warranties or service contracts increase lender confidence and typically improve terms.

How quickly can I get a quote or decision?

Many matches and initial indicative quotes arrive within hours; formal offers depend on valuation and paperwork and can take days to weeks.

How much deposit is typical?

For used equipment deposits often range 10%–30%, but some lenders offer low or zero deposit options depending on the asset and borrower.

Is VAT payable up front?

VAT rules depend on your VAT status and the finance product; some finance packages spread VAT over payments. Check the lender’s terms.

Important information

UK Business Loans is an introducer. We do not lend or provide regulated financial advice. We pass your enquiry to lenders and brokers in our network; all offers, rates and terms are provided by them and are subject to credit and asset checks. Submitting an enquiry is free and no obligation. All finance is subject to status and lender criteria.

Ready to finance your press or cutter?

Get a free, no‑obligation quote and we’ll match you to the lenders/brokers best placed to help. Typical enquiries for printing equipment start at £10,000. Complete the short form and you’ll often receive contact within hours.

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If you’d like to learn more about finance for the printing sector, our broader industry guide is here: printing business loans.

Image suggestions (for editors)

• Hero image: used printing press in a workshop — alt: “Used printing press in workshop”.
• Secondary: operator inspecting a guillotine — alt: “Technician inspecting guillotine cutter”.
• Infographic: How equipment finance works — alt: “Flowchart showing steps in equipment finance”.