Why printing & packaging businesses need specialised finance

Running a print or packaging business today means managing volatile raw material prices, investing in faster presses and coping with long customer payment terms. Generic business loans often don’t match the sector’s rhythms — you need flexible solutions that suit equipment lifecycles, seasonal demand and sustainability upgrades.

Typical funding triggers for printers and packagers:

• Replacing or upgrading presses (digital, offset or finishing equipment).
• Investing in automation and finishing lines to reduce labour costs.
• Covering working capital during large production runs or long invoice terms.
• Refinancing existing leases to improve monthly cashflow.
• Fit-out or commercial property purchases for larger premises.
• Green upgrades: energy-efficient presses, solvent recovery, recycling systems.

How Fast Business Loans supports printing firms

Fast Business Loans is a specialist introducer. We don’t provide finance ourselves. Instead we:

• Collect a short set of details via a simple enquiry form.
• Match your business to lenders and brokers who understand printing and packaging finances.
• Arrange for partners to contact you with tailored options — usually fast.

Why use our service?

• Save time: one short form instead of contacting many lenders.
• Better matches: partners with experience in printing equipment and invoice cycles.
• No obligation and free to use — you decide whether to proceed.

Start Your Enquiry — it takes less than 2 minutes. No obligation.

Finance options for print & packaging companies

Different projects need different products. Below are the common finance types printing businesses use and when they make sense.

Unsecured business loans

Use cases: short-term working capital, seasonal staffing, marketing, small-scale refurbishments. Typical amounts start at around £10,000 upwards. Terms vary (usually 1–5 years) and approval depends on business health and director credit profiles.

Asset & equipment finance (hire purchase, leasing)

Use cases: buying presses, finishing lines, folders, guillotines, plate setters. Hire purchase spreads the cost with ownership at the end; finance leases offer lower monthly payments and can suit rapidly depreciating equipment. Lenders will assess the equipment, its anticipated life and residual value.

Invoice finance & supply chain funding

Use cases: customers with 30–120 day payment terms create cashflow gaps. Invoice factoring or discounting releases cash tied up in invoices so you can run production without waiting for customer payments.

Commercial property & fit-out funding

Use cases: moving to bigger premises, installing energy-efficient plant or compliance-related refits. Commercial mortgages, development loans and fit-out finance can all be part of your solution mix.

Quick comparison table

Eligibility & what lenders look for

Each lender or broker has different criteria, but common factors include:

• Minimum trading history (varies by product — some lenders accept young companies; many prefer established businesses).
• Turnover and gross margins — indicate ability to service finance.
• Management accounts and bank statements (typically last 3–12 months).
• Details of existing liabilities and director/shareholder credit information.
• Valuation or specification for equipment being financed.

Typical documents you may need to provide:

• Company registration number and confirmation of trading address.
• Business bank statements (usually 3–6 months).
• Most recent management accounts or P&L and balance sheet.
• Quotation/invoice for equipment or copy invoices for outstanding invoices (for invoice finance).

Free Eligibility Check — get matched in minutes.

Step-by-step: Fast Business Loans application journey

1. Complete a short enquiry: basic business details, type/amount of funding required. This does not affect your credit score.
2. We match you: your enquiry is matched with partners experienced in printing finance.
3. Partner contacts you: a broker or lender will call or email to discuss options and request documents if appropriate.
4. Compare offers: review quotes, ask questions and choose the best fit. Proceed directly with the lender/broker when ready.

At the enquiry stage there is no credit search. Lenders may carry out checks later if you choose to proceed.

Costs, repayments & responsible borrowing

Costs vary widely between products and providers. Important elements to compare include:

• Interest rate (fixed or variable) and representative APR where applicable.
• Arrangement or facility fees and ongoing account fees.
• Early repayment charges or penalties.
• Security required and any personal guarantees.

Always ask providers for a clear cost breakdown and an example repayment schedule. If you are unsure which product suits your business, speak to an independent adviser or the broker introduced to you.

We encourage responsible borrowing: borrow only what you need, understand the full cost, and factor repayments into your cashflow forecasts.

Case study: Digital printer expanding capacity

Challenge: A medium-sized digital printer won a multi-year contract that required two additional digital presses and upgraded finishing kit. They needed £350,000 but could not tie up cash reserves.

Solution: After a Free Eligibility Check, Fast Business Loans introduced the company to an asset finance broker who arranged a blended solution — hire purchase for the presses and a short-term invoice finance facility for working capital.

Outcome: Equipment installed within six weeks, cashflow maintained during ramp-up, and monthly repayments aligned to the new contract income. The business scaled as planned without exhausting cash reserves.

Printing finance FAQs

Can printing companies with less than two years’ trading apply?

Yes. Some lenders and specialist start-up finance providers consider businesses with shorter trading history, particularly for asset finance or where strong forecasts and contracts exist. Responses vary by lender.

What loan amounts are typical for upgrading presses?

Equipment finance commonly starts around £10,000 and can run into millions for large press lines. Hire purchase and leasing are common for presses; terms depend on equipment life.

How quickly can I expect a response?

After submitting the enquiry you’ll usually hear from a partner within hours during business hours. Speed of funding depends on the product and documentation — from a few days for simple loans to several weeks for larger asset or property finance.

Does submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No — completing the enquiry is an information-gathering step and does not leave a credit footprint. Lenders may perform credit checks later if you proceed.

Can I refinance existing equipment leases?

Yes. Many lenders refinance leases to provide better terms or consolidate multiple agreements into one facility to improve monthly cashflow.

What if I’ve been declined elsewhere?

Because we work with a wide panel of lenders and brokers, you may still be eligible for alternative products. Submit an enquiry and we’ll find partners suited to your circumstances.

Are there green finance options for eco-friendly upgrades?

Yes. Several lenders now offer preferential terms for energy-efficient equipment and sustainability projects. Tell us about your green project in the enquiry form.

Is your service available across the UK?

Yes — we match businesses across the UK with lenders and brokers able to help with printing and packaging finance.

Ready to explore your printing finance options?

If you need finance from £10,000 upwards for presses, finishing kit, working capital or property, Fast Business Loans can speed up the process by putting you in touch with specialist lenders and brokers.

Get Quote Now — complete a short enquiry (less than 2 minutes) and receive fast, no‑obligation responses from partners who understand your sector.

Fast Business Loans is not a lender and does not provide regulated financial advice. We introduce businesses to selected lenders and brokers. Rates and eligibility depend on individual circumstances.

For more industry-specific information, see our pillar guide to printing business loans which outlines common products and lender considerations for printers and packagers.