Printing Business Loans UK — Typical Rates & Fees (subject to status and product)

Summary (quick answer): Typical costs for printing business loans vary by product and company profile. Indicative ranges: secured term loans ~4%–12% APR; asset & equipment finance ~4%–15% APR; unsecured loans ~6%–30% APR; invoice finance fees commonly 0.5%–3% per invoice (effective annualised cost ~6%–30%); merchant cash advances and some alternative lenders have much higher total costs (factor 1.10–1.50x). All figures are indicative and subject to status. For personalised quotes, start a Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now.

UK Business Loans is an introducer and does not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. We connect businesses with lenders and brokers. All finance is subject to status, affordability and lender terms. Figures on this page are indicative only and are not an offer. Always request full written terms before agreeing to any finance.

Table of contents

• Quick summary — what you’ll pay (at a glance)
• Why printing businesses can face different rates
• Typical rates & costs by finance product
  • Secured bank term loans
  • Unsecured business loans
  • Asset finance (hire purchase & lease)
  • Invoice finance (factoring & discounting)
  • Merchant cash advance / turnover finance
  • Business overdrafts & short-term lines
• Typical additional fees & charges
• How to compare real cost — APR, total cost & examples
• How printing businesses can improve rates
• What lenders will ask for
• Risks, warnings & compliance
• FAQs
• Ready to compare quotes?

Quick summary — what you’ll pay (at a glance)

• Secured bank term loans (for premises/major purchases): typically mid-single to low‑double digit APRs — indicative: ~4%–12% APR (subject to status).
• Asset & equipment finance (new presses, finishing kit): often low single digits to mid‑teens — indicative: ~4%–15% APR (subject to status).
• Invoice finance (factoring/discounting): fees usually 0.5%–3% per invoice (monthly) or effective annualised cost roughly 6%–30% depending on structure (indicative).
• Unsecured loans and alternative lenders: wide range, typically ~6%–30%+ APR (indicative).
• Merchant cash advances / turnover finance: priced by a factor (e.g., repay 1.10–1.50x) — gives very high APR equivalents; check total repayment (indicative).

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Why printing businesses can face different rates

Printing companies are capital-intensive and can be seasonal. Large presses, digital finishing lines and bindery kit carry significant value — which helps when using asset-backed finance — but older or highly specialised equipment may be harder to re-sell and so increases lender risk.

Key sector factors lenders consider:

• Asset values and age (new presses give better finance rates).
• Cashflow seasonality — long production cycles or slow-paying B2B customers increase cost of cashflow solutions.
• Contracted revenue — long-term contracts with large corporates reduce risk and improve pricing.
• Company credit history, years trading and director track record.

Common guidance: use asset finance for new presses; invoice finance for slow B2B payments; secured term loans for premises or major investments. To explore options, Get Quote Now for a free eligibility check.

Typical rates & costs by finance product (detailed)

Below are market-indicative ranges commonly seen for UK printing businesses. Actual terms depend on lender, credit profile, security and product features. All numbers are indicative and subject to status.

1) Secured bank term loans / commercial loans

Indicative rates: ~4%–12% APR (indicative). Strong credits and larger facilities trend toward the lower end; smaller, higher-risk cases toward the top end.

Typical fees: arrangement fees 0.5%–2.5% of facility; valuation and legal fees (£250–£1,500+); early repayment charges (ERC) may apply.

Best for: large equipment purchases, premises or refurbishment where security is acceptable.

Worked example (indicative): A £150,000 loan over 5 years at 7% APR — monthly repayments are roughly £2,980. Total repayment ~£178,800. These figures are illustrative — ask lenders for exact repayment schedules.

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2) Unsecured business loans

Indicative rates: usually higher than secured loans — typically ~6%–30%+ APR (indicative). Price depends strongly on company and director credit histories.

Fees: arrangement fees often 0–5% and possible early repayment penalties. Loan terms commonly 1–5 years.

Best for: relatively small working capital needs where security is not available or desirable.

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3) Asset finance (hire purchase, finance lease)

Indicative rates: ~4%–15% APR (indicative). New, high-value presses attract lower rates; older equipment or short-term leases cost more.

Structure: lender takes a charge over the equipment; payments are aligned to asset life. HP gives ownership at the end; finance leases may not.

Fees: setup/admin, documentation fees; some products may include a final balloon payment.

Example (indicative): Hire purchase for a £60,000 press over 4 years at 6% — monthly cost ~£1,420, total repayable ~£68,160 (excluding fees). Exact offers vary — compare with other solutions.

For specialised press finance, see our asset finance pages: Asset finance (internal link).

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4) Invoice finance (factoring & discounting)

Indicative fees: invoice fee commonly 0.5%–3% per invoice (monthly/transaction fee) plus interest on any advanced funds; effective annualised cost often ~6%–30% depending on advance rate, debtor days and fee structure (indicative).

Other costs: set-up fees, administration/service fees, reserve/holdback against bad debts.

Best for: B2B printers with significant invoices tied up in credit terms.

Worked example (indicative): You sell a £10,000 invoice with 60‑day terms. Factor advances 80% immediately (£8,000). Fee 1.5% + interest on the advance might mean you receive ~£7,800–£7,900 net early (depending on the product) — consider the effective annualised cost compared with other options.

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5) Merchant cash advance / turnover-based finance

How priced: typically by a factor (repayable = advance × factor). Example factors often 1.10–1.50 (indicative). Repayments are taken as a percentage of card takings or daily collections.

Be careful: APR equivalents can be extremely high. Always ask for the total repayment amount and the expected daily/weekly collection rate.

Best for: urgent short-term cash when other options are not available — but compare carefully with invoice finance and overdrafts.

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6) Business overdrafts & short-term lines

Indicative costs: variable margins over bank base rate, arranged overdraft fees and unauthorised overdraft penalties. Effective rates vary widely — from low margins for established customers to double-digit rates for riskier accounts.

Best for: short-term seasonal peaks and smoothing day-to-day cashflow.

Typical additional fees & charges to expect

• Arrangement / facility fee: 0.5%–3% of the facility (indicative).
• Broker fee: 0%–2% (some brokers paid by lender; always ask if charges apply).
• Valuation & legal fees: £250–£2,000+ depending on security.
• Admin & monitoring fees: £10–£100 per month (indicative).
• Early repayment charge (ERC): often a % of outstanding or a set calculation.
• Late payment & default fees: apply if you miss repayments — ask lenders for their T&Cs.

Always request a written breakdown of one-off and ongoing fees before accepting any finance.

How to compare real cost — APR, total cost & worked examples

APR is useful for comparing standard loans but can mislead for products like factoring or turnover finance. For transaction-based products compare the total repayment amount or effective annualised cost.

Suggested comparison fields:

• Loan amount
• Term
• Interest / factor
• Arrangement & setup fees
• Monthly repayment / expected daily collection
• Total amount repayable

Example comparison (indicative): Buying a £100,000 press

• Secured term loan: 5 years at 6% APR, arrangement 1% — monthly ~£1,933, total repayable ~£116,000.
• Hire purchase: 4 years at 6% APR — monthly ~£2,329, total repayable ~£111,792 (ownership at end).
• Invoice finance (if financing working capital vs purchase): cost depends on debtor days — not directly comparable for capital purchases.

How printing businesses can improve rates and reduce fees

• Use the equipment as security — asset finance often gives lower rates.
• Provide up-to-date management accounts, VAT returns and cashflow forecasts.
• Demonstrate recurring contracts or long-term clients to reduce perceived risk.
• Offer a higher deposit or choose a shorter term where sensible.
• Work with brokers who specialise in printing & manufacturing finance to access niche lenders.

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What lenders and brokers will ask from your printing business

Typical documentation:

• Last 2–3 years’ accounts and recent management accounts.
• VAT returns, business bank statements (3–6 months), credit history.
• Details of equipment to be financed (make, model, age, price).
• Copies of major contracts or purchase orders, and a cashflow forecast.
• Director ID and personal credit details — many lenders will request personal guarantees.

Preparing these in advance will speed up the process. Start your enquiry (2 minutes).

Risks, warnings and compliance

Important points:

• UK Business Loans is an introducer and does not lend money or provide regulated financial advice.
• All finance is subject to status, affordability and lender terms.
• Lenders may require personal guarantees and security. Understand the implications before signing.
• The numbers on this page are indicative only and are not an offer. Always request full written terms.

For further guidance on financial promotions and consumer protection, see the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) website and the British Business Bank guides (external authoritative resources).

Frequently asked questions

What interest rates can a small printing business expect?

Indicative ranges by product: secured term loans ~4%–12% APR; asset finance ~4%–15% APR; unsecured loans ~6%–30%+ APR; invoice finance fees commonly 0.5%–3% per invoice. Figures are indicative and subject to status.

Is asset/equipment finance cheaper for buying a press?

Often yes. Using the press as security generally delivers lower rates than unsecured borrowing, especially for new or high-quality equipment.

How much deposit do lenders usually want?

For asset finance deposits vary from 0% (some lenders) up to 20%+ depending on age of equipment and borrower risk. Secured loans may require lower upfront cash but other security.

Will applying affect my credit score?

Submitting an enquiry via UK Business Loans does not affect your credit score. Lenders may carry out credit checks only when you progress to an application — ask whether they will use a soft or hard search.

Can I get finance with bad credit?

Specialist lenders and brokers can help businesses with imperfect credit, but rates and security requirements typically differ. We can match you to suitable options.

How long does it take to get a printing business loan?

Times vary: asset finance and invoice finance can be arranged in days to a couple of weeks; secured term loans (with property/legal work) may take several weeks. Using a broker can speed up matching and negotiation.

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Ready to compare quotes for your printing business?

We connect you quickly and confidentially to lenders and brokers who understand the printing sector. Our service is free to use and there’s no obligation to proceed — you only pay if you accept an offer from a lender.

• 1) Complete the quick enquiry (about 2 minutes).
• 2) We match you with lenders/brokers suited to printing businesses.
• 3) Receive quotes and choose the best option.

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UK Business Loans is an introducer and does not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. We connect businesses with lenders and brokers. All finance is subject to status, affordability and lender terms. Figures on this page are indicative only and are not an offer. Always request full written terms before agreeing to any finance.

printing business loans

If you want sector-specific guidance for printing businesses, see our industry page on printing business loans.

Other useful pages: Asset finance — Invoice finance — Business loans — How it works.

1. What interest rates can a printing business expect on a business loan?
Indicative rates vary by product and credit profile — secured term loans ~4%–12% APR, asset/equipment finance ~4%–15% APR, unsecured loans ~6%–30%+ APR and invoice finance fees commonly 0.5%–3% per invoice (subject to status).

2. Is asset/equipment finance cheaper for buying a press than an unsecured loan?
Often yes — asset finance typically offers lower rates because the press acts as security, especially for new or high‑quality equipment (figures indicative and subject to status).

3. How do I compare the real cost between secured loans, hire purchase and invoice finance?
Compare APR (where relevant), total amount repayable, arrangement/setup fees, term, and expected monthly or daily repayments to judge true cost and suitability for printing business needs.

4. What typical fees should printing businesses expect beyond interest?
Expect arrangement or facility fees (0.5%–3% indicative), valuation and legal fees (£250–£2,000+), admin/monitoring fees and possible early repayment charges — always request a written fee breakdown.

5. Will submitting an enquiry through UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
No — submitting an enquiry to UK Business Loans does not affect your credit score; lenders may perform hard or soft checks only if you progress to an application.

6. Can I get finance for my printing business with imperfect credit?
Yes — specialist lenders and brokers in our network may work with businesses with bad credit, though rates, deposits and security requirements are likely to differ.

7. How long does it typically take to get printing business finance?
Timing varies: asset finance and invoice finance can be arranged in days to a couple of weeks, while secured term loans involving property/legal work may take several weeks.

8. How much deposit will lenders usually require for equipment or press finance?
Deposits range from 0% with some lenders up to 20%+ depending on equipment age, borrower risk and the type of asset finance product (indicative).

9. Are merchant cash advances suitable for printing businesses?
Merchant cash advances can provide fast short‑term funding but are usually very expensive (repayment factors often 1.10–1.50x) and should be compared carefully with invoice finance and overdrafts.

10. What documentation will lenders and brokers ask for when applying for printing business loans?
Prepare 2–3 years’ accounts, recent management accounts, VAT returns, 3–6 months’ bank statements, equipment details (make/model/age/price), key contracts or POs and director ID/credit information.