What lenders and brokers look for when evaluating a printing finance application

Summary: Lenders and brokers assessing finance for printing businesses want clear company identity, trading history, recent financials, cashflow forecasts showing repayment, detailed asset lists (press make/model/age), customer/contracts evidence, insurance and compliance records, plus honest disclosure of existing charges or credit issues. Prepare a concise application pack and you’ll speed up quotes and improve chances of competitive terms. We’re an introducer — we don’t lend. Submitting an enquiry is free and used only to match you to suitable lenders and brokers.

Get a Free Eligibility Check

Lenders’ shortlist — what they check first

• Company identity, owners and KYC
• Trading history and turnover trends
• Recent statutory and management accounts, bank statements
• Clear purpose for finance and a repayment plan
• Asset details (presses, binders, finishing kit) and valuations
• Customer contracts and concentration risk
• Existing charges, insurance and compliance documentation

Read on for a full, printable checklist you can use to prepare your application.

Why printing businesses get close scrutiny

Printing businesses are capital intensive, often owning expensive presses and peripherals. Lenders look for evidence the company can service repayments despite seasonality, narrow margins and rapid tech obsolescence. Environmental, health & safety risks (inks, solvents) and customer concentration (large packaging clients) can materially affect risk, so underwriters want clear proof these are managed.

The key information lenders and brokers ask for when evaluating a printing finance application

Use this as your pre-application pack — gather these items to reduce delays and improve offers.

Business identity & ownership

• Full trading name, Companies House number and registered address.
• Business structure and ownership percentages.
• Director details: names, DOB, addresses and contact details.
• Proofs for KYC: passport/driving licence and a recent utility bill for each director.
• Recent Companies House extract (downloadable and dated).

Tip: include a one‑page cover note summarising structure and key contacts to speed KYC checks.

Trading history & commercial performance

Lenders prefer established trading (12+ months is minimum; 2+ years is stronger). Provide:

• Length of trading and any major ownership or management changes.
• Annual turnover for the last 2–3 years and trends in gross/net profit.
• Explanation of any one-off events (asset sales, COVID impacts, large one-off contracts).
• Evidence of recurring revenue such as standing orders, framework agreements or long-term contracts.

Newer businesses should supply a realistic forecast and sales pipeline with reference customers where possible.

Financial statements & key KPIs

Underwriters will want to see a clear financial picture:

• Signed statutory accounts for the last 2–3 years (or management accounts if more recent).
• Management accounts, profit & loss, balance sheet and trial balance for recent months.
• VAT returns (last 12 months), PAYE summaries and 3–6 months business bank statements.

Key KPIs lenders check:

• Gross margin and net margin trends — printing margins can be tight; stability helps.
• EBITDA and operating cashflow.
• Debtor days (DSO) and creditor days.
• Stock/consumable turnover (inks, plates, substrates).
• Current ratio / liquidity and overdraft usage.

Tip: a short 1‑page management summary explaining major movements and seasonality improves lender confidence.

Cashflow forecasts & purpose of funds

• 12‑month cashflow forecast showing monthly inflows/outflows and loan repayments.
• Clear purpose: buying a new press, refinancing HP, funding working capital for a large contract, or purchasing software/licences.
• Sensitivity analysis: base / best / worst cases — particularly important for equipment upgrades or contract finance.

Lenders want to see the finance term matched to asset life (e.g., a 7‑year repayment is unlikely for a 2‑year-old digital press with rapid obsolescence).

Assets, machinery & valuations

• Detailed asset list: item, make, model, year, serial number, condition and location.
• Photographs of equipment and workshop, plus maintenance/service history and any service contracts.
• Supplier quotes for new equipment or independent valuations for used presses.
• Details of any existing HP/leases and outstanding balances.

Asset finance lenders favour newer, well‑maintained kit. Expect lower LTVs and higher margins for older or specialist second‑hand presses.

Customers, contracts & concentration risk

• Top clients and percentage of turnover from each (highlight any single client >20%).
• Copies of major contracts, purchase orders or ongoing framework agreements.
• Typical payment terms and any history of late payments or disputes.

Where a few customers dominate revenue, lenders will probe contract length and termination periods — provide documentary proof of recurring work.

Security, guarantees & legal checks

• Details of proposed security: fixed/floating charges, retention of title, or specific asset liens.
• Disclosure of existing charges registered at Companies House and copies of charge documents.
• Personal guarantees — be prepared for these where owners are materially connected to the business.
• Insurance certificates (plant, public liability, business interruption).

Be transparent about existing charges — undisclosed entries will delay or derail offers.

Operational & compliance items specific to printing

• Environmental permits, waste disposal contracts and COSHH records (for inks and solvents).
• Health & Safety policy and accident logs.
• Quality certifications (ISO, BRC if relevant) and IT/MIS software licences (pre-press RIP, MIS).
• Supplier relationships for consumables and proof of continuity of supply.

Lenders assess regulatory and reputational exposures — good records reduce perceived risk and can improve terms.

Practical tips to speed approval

• Create a one‑page application pack summarising key figures, purpose and ask amount.
• Reconcile bank accounts, remove outdated overdraft items and upload clear bank statements.
• Provide dated equipment quotes and recent photos.
• Disclose credit issues up front — lenders appreciate honesty and it prevents wasted time.
• Keep contract copies and client statements ready.

Ready to be matched to lenders who understand printing? Get Quote Now

How UK Business Loans helps

We’re an introducer — we don’t lend. Complete a short enquiry and we’ll match your printing business to lenders and brokers who specialise in equipment, asset and working capital finance. Our matching considers sector experience and the size/type of finance you need.

Our process: submit a short enquiry (less than 2 minutes), we match and share your brief with selected partners, and they contact you with an indicative quote. Submitting an enquiry is not an application — it’s information used to find the best matches. Start your Free Eligibility Check now: Free Eligibility Check.

For more sector-specific guidance see our page on printing business loans.

Downloadable checklist

Use this printable checklist to prepare documentation before you approach lenders:

• Companies House extract
• Last 2–3 years signed statutory accounts
• Latest management accounts and 3–6 months bank statements
• VAT returns (last 12 months)
• 12‑month cashflow forecast and purpose of funds
• Supplier quotes / equipment valuation
• Asset list with photos
• Major contracts/order book summary
• Insurance and environmental permits
• Directors’ ID & proof of address

Get a Free Eligibility Check and have your checklist reviewed by a sector specialist.

Frequently asked questions

Will applying through UK Business Loans affect my credit score?

No — submitting an enquiry with us is just a matching request and does not affect your credit file. Lenders may perform credit checks later if you proceed with an application.

What loan amounts and terms are available for printers?

We typically help businesses seeking finance from around £10,000 upwards. Options include asset finance (HP/lease), working capital, invoice finance or larger facilities — terms depend on product and lender.

Can I secure finance with adverse credit?

Yes — some specialist lenders and brokers work with businesses with imperfect credit histories. Expect different pricing and security requirements; being open about past issues improves the chance of a suitable match.

How long does approval take?

Asset finance for standard equipment can be agreed in days to a few weeks. Larger or more complex facilities (contract finance, refinance) may require more detailed due diligence and take longer.

Ready to get started?

Prepare your one‑page pack and submit your details now — it takes under two minutes. We’ll match you with lenders and brokers experienced in printing finance so they can provide fast, relevant quotes. Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

UK Business Loans is an introducer and does not provide lending or regulated financial advice. Submitting an enquiry is free and used only to match your business with potential lenders and brokers. All finance is subject to lender terms, status and affordability checks.

1. Will submitting an enquiry with UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
No — submitting an enquiry is a free matching request and does not affect your credit file, though lenders may carry out checks later if you proceed.

2. What loan amounts can printing businesses apply for through UK Business Loans?
We typically help printing businesses seeking finance from around £10,000 upwards, with lenders offering facilities from small working capital to multi‑million asset and commercial loans.

3. What types of finance are available for printers?
Printers can access asset finance (HP/lease), equipment finance, invoice finance, working capital, refinance and larger commercial loans depending on need and lender.

4. How long does approval and funding usually take for printing finance?
Asset and standard equipment finance can be agreed in days to a few weeks, while complex facilities (contract finance, refinancing) require more due diligence and take longer.

5. What documents will lenders and brokers ask for in a printing finance application?
Prepare Companies House extract, 2–3 years statutory accounts or management accounts, recent bank statements, VAT returns, a 12‑month cashflow forecast, detailed asset list with photos/valuations, major contracts, insurance and directors’ ID/proof of address.

6. Can a printing business with adverse credit still get funded?
Yes — specialist lenders and brokers work with imperfect credit histories, but expect different pricing, additional security or guarantees and the benefit of full, upfront disclosure.

7. Will lenders require security or personal guarantees for printing business loans?
Often yes — lenders commonly take asset security, fixed/floating charges and may request personal guarantees from owners materially connected to the business.

8. How does UK Business Loans match my printing business to the right lenders and brokers?
Complete a short enquiry (under two minutes) and we’ll share your brief with selected, sector‑experienced partners who can provide relevant, no‑obligation quotes.

9. What practical steps speed up approval and improve my chances of competitive terms?
Provide a one‑page cover summary, reconciled bank statements, dated equipment quotes or valuations, clear cashflow forecasts, major contracts and transparent disclosure of existing charges or credit issues.

10. Are start‑ups or businesses trading for less than two years eligible for printing finance?
Yes — some lenders will consider newer printers if you supply realistic forecasts, a credible sales pipeline or reference customers, though terms may be tighter and security stronger.