Quick summary

If your UK print or packaging business needs funding from around £10,000 and up — for new presses, finishing kit, working capital or sustainability upgrades — Fast Business Loans can quickly match you with specialist lenders and brokers. Complete a short Free Eligibility Check and we’ll introduce you to the providers most likely to offer suitable quotes. Our service is free, non‑binding and designed to save you time when comparing printing business loans and finance options.

Start your Free Eligibility Check now: Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Fast Business Loans — start here

Strapline: Find the right printing finance fast — equipment, working capital, invoice and asset finance from specialist lenders and brokers.

We don’t lend. We connect your business to the lenders and brokers who can. Use our quick enquiry to get tailored introductions without affecting your credit score.

Start Your Free Eligibility Check

• Free service • No obligation • Typical response: within hours
• Suitable for funding requests from £10,000 upwards

Why printing businesses look for finance in 2025

The UK printing and packaging sector remains a backbone of manufacturing and fulfilment — competing on speed, quality and sustainability. Businesses commonly need capital to replace ageing presses, invest in digital finishing, cover material cost spikes, or adopt greener processes.

Pressures such as rising overheads, supply chain disruption and the need to modernise mean many firms seek working capital, asset replacement or refinance. Quick access to the right finance helps maintain production, win new contracts and reduce unit costs.

Want to see what funding you could access? Free Eligibility Check

How Fast Business Loans supports printing & packaging firms

Fast Business Loans is an introducer: we match your funding request to lenders and brokers experienced in printing, packaging and related manufacturing. We don’t provide loans or regulated advice — instead we use your enquiry to connect you with providers who understand printing-specific risks and assets.

Benefits of using our service:

• Fast matches to specialist lenders/brokers who know printing equipment and stock cycles
• Save time — get relevant quotes without completing multiple long forms
• No impact to your credit score at the enquiry stage
• Access to finance for equipment, working capital, invoice discounting and sustainability projects

Curious how printing finance compares across products? See more about printing business loans and sector-specific options on our industry page: printing business loans.

Finance solutions commonly used in the printing sector

Asset finance / hire purchase

Ideal for buying presses, cutters, bindery and finishing kit while spreading cost over the asset’s life.

• Ideal for: new and used machinery purchases
• Typical amounts: £10k to several million
• Terms: usually 2–7 years (depends on equipment life)
• Security: equipment acts as security; deposit sometimes required

Equipment leasing

Operate leases or finance leases can preserve capital and offer tax/timing benefits — useful for short technology cycles such as digital presses.

Invoice finance (factoring / discounting)

Unlock cash tied up in raised invoices to smooth cash flow and fund growth.

• Ideal for: print firms with significant B2B invoices
• Typical advance: a percentage of invoice value
• Speed: can be set up quickly once paperwork is in place

Working capital loans / unsecured business loans

Flexible short‑term funding for payroll, materials or bridging gaps between contracts.

Merchant cash advance

Repayments linked to card turnover — useful for print shops with steady card sales (less common for B2B printers).

Commercial mortgages & property finance

For print firms buying or refinancing premises, or raising funds via property equity release.

Refinance / consolidation

Combine multiple facilities to reduce monthly costs or simplify lending relationships.

Green & sustainability funding

Funding for energy efficiency, solar, or low-carbon presses — some lenders offer dedicated green products and longer terms to reflect savings.

Which is best depends on whether you prioritise speed, cost, or preserving cash. If you’re unsure, complete a Free Eligibility Check and we’ll match you with partners experienced in printing equipment finance.

Matching process: from enquiry to funding

Step 1 — Quick enquiry

Tell us about your business, funding type and amount (takes under 2 minutes). This is not an application — it just helps us match you.

Step 2 — Fast matching

We introduce your enquiry to lending partners who specialise in print and packaging finance.

Step 3 — Lender/broker contact

One or more partners will contact you to clarify details and may perform a formal assessment if you want to proceed.

Start your Free Eligibility Check — it won’t affect your credit score and there’s no obligation to accept any offer.

Step 4 — Compare and decide

Review quotes, ask questions and choose the solution that best suits your cashflow and growth plans. Any formal application and credit checks are carried out by the lender you select.

Eligibility snapshot for UK print businesses

Each lender has different criteria, but common factors considered include:

• Minimum loan sizes: most panel lenders consider requests from around £10,000 upwards
• Trading history: many lenders prefer at least 12 months trading, though specialist funders may consider newer companies
• Turnover and cashflow: recent management accounts and bank statements are used to assess affordability
• Credit profile: lender approaches vary — some are flexible about historic credit issues
• Assets available: equipment, property or debtor ledgers can improve options

Even if you’ve been declined before, a different lender or product may still be suitable — that’s where matching helps.

What documents help speed up an offer?

Having these ready improves response times:

• Recent management accounts (last 12–24 months)
• Bank statements (usually 3–6 months)
• Aged debtor report / sales ledger (for invoice finance)
• Supplier or equipment quotes and invoices (for asset finance)
• Business plan or cashflow forecast for larger projects
• Proof of identity and company documentation for directors
• If applying for a green loan: energy performance details, costed proposals or EPCs

Upload these when you complete the Free Eligibility Check to speed matching and quoting.

Cost considerations & responsible borrowing

Costs vary by product, term, security and credit profile. Asset-secured finance is often cheaper than unsecured borrowing because the asset reduces lender risk. Invoice finance and merchant advances incur fees tied to turnover or invoice value rather than a typical interest rate.

Before proceeding, consider:

• Effective interest and fees — request total cost illustrations
• Fixed vs variable repayments — understand future cashflow impact
• Security and personal guarantees — check what you may be asked to provide
• Early repayment fees and arrangement charges

We encourage responsible borrowing: only take funding you can afford, compare offers carefully and consider independent financial or tax advice where appropriate.

Case snapshot: upgrading a digital press

A Midlands print business needed a new digital press to win a large contract but lacked immediate capital. After a Free Eligibility Check they were introduced to two lenders: an asset finance specialist offering a hire purchase and a broker who bundled a short-term working capital facility to cover deposits and materials during the ramp-up.

Result: combined funding of £135,000, staged payments to the supplier, and cashflow cover until the new contract invoiced — all arranged within three weeks from enquiry to signed agreements.

Want a tailored printing finance quote? Get Quote Now

Alternative & complementary funding routes

Depending on your project, consider:

• Grants or matched funding for productivity or green upgrades (check Innovate UK and local growth funds)
• Supplier credit or staged payments negotiated with equipment vendors
• Trade finance or purchase order finance for large contracts
• Leasing instead of purchase to preserve working capital

Our partners can flag relevant grant or specialist schemes when you submit an enquiry.

Why choose Fast Business Loans?

• Speed — quick matching to lenders who understand print and packaging
• Sector expertise — we focus on the finance products commonly used by printers
• No obligation — you receive introductions only; decisions remain yours
• No initial credit impact — enquiries are soft and for matching only
• Free to use — we are paid only when businesses choose to proceed with a partner

Ready to start? Start Your Free Eligibility Check

Frequently Asked Questions

What paperwork is required?

Typically management accounts, bank statements, equipment quotes and ID. Exact requirements depend on product and lender.

Can start-up printers apply?

Yes — some lenders and brokers consider new businesses using projections, personal guarantees or asset-backed finance. Tell us about your situation in the enquiry so we can match appropriately.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Our matching enquiry is informational and does not perform hard credit checks. Lenders may run formal checks only when you proceed with a formal application.

Can I finance used presses?

Many funders finance refurbished or used equipment subject to age, valuation and condition. Provide full details in your enquiry for tailored options.

How quickly can funds arrive?

Timescales vary: some unsecured working capital can complete within 24–72 hours after approval. Asset finance completes once documentation and supplier invoices are in place — typically days to a few weeks.

Do you support green printing upgrades?

Yes. We match firms with lenders offering sustainable finance or flexible terms for energy‑saving investments where available.

Ready to explore your printing finance options?

Complete our short form (under 2 minutes) to receive matched quotes from lenders and brokers experienced in serving printers and packagers. It’s free, quick and non‑binding.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

If you prefer to talk, email us at hello@fastbusinessloans.net.

Fast Business Loans is an introducer. We do not lend or give regulated financial advice. Completing an enquiry does not guarantee funding—any offer depends on lender criteria and your business’s circumstances. Consider independent financial or tax advice where appropriate.