How much can my printing business borrow and what affects the amount?

Most established UK printing businesses can typically borrow from £10,000 up to £5,000,000+, depending on the funding type, security, and your financial profile. Unsecured loans often range from £10k–£350k, asset finance can cover up to 100% of equipment cost in some cases, and invoice finance can release up to 90% of eligible invoices. Your maximum facility is determined by affordability, trading history, credit strength, assets, and the purpose of funds.

Updated: October 2025. Information is general guidance, not financial advice. All finance is subject to status, affordability and provider criteria.

Typical borrowing ranges for UK printing companies

Printing, signage, packaging, and fabrication firms use multiple finance products that size facilities differently. An unsecured business loan may be capped by revenue and profit, whereas asset finance is tied to equipment value. Invoice or order-backed facilities reflect your ledger strength and customer quality.

Common funding types and indicative limits

Unsecured business loans: Often £10k–£350k for established limited companies with stable cash flow. Terms usually 1–6 years, with affordability and director credit a key factor.

Secured loans: From £100k to £5m+ when supported by property or other strong collateral. Longer terms possible, with lower rates than unsecured options.

Asset finance (HP/lease): Up to 90–100% of equipment cost for presses, digital printers, cutters, folders, guillotines, and finishing kit. Terms often 2–7 years, linked to asset life.

Refinance: Release capital from owned assets, typically at up to 70–80% of forced-sale value. Useful to reduce cash strain after recent purchases.

Invoice finance: Up to 80–90% of eligible B2B invoices, with concentration limits and debtor quality checks. Grows with your turnover.

Revenue or card-based advances: Smaller, flexible facilities tied to card receipts where relevant. Typical limits align to 1–3 months’ card turnover.

Quick rule-of-thumb

As a broad guide, unsecured facilities might cap at 10–20% of annual turnover for profitable firms. Asset finance aligns to the ex-VAT invoice value of new kit. Invoice finance scales with your monthly sales ledger and customer mix.

These are ranges, not promises, and providers will size facilities conservatively where cash flows are seasonal. Printing businesses with robust management accounts and clear order pipelines can usually evidence higher affordability.

What affects your maximum loan amount?

Lenders and brokers assess borrowing capacity through affordability, security, and risk. The print sector’s capital intensity, substrate costs, and energy usage all feed into their view of risk and resilience. Here are the core drivers of the limit you can access.

1) Turnover, profits, and cash flow cover

Higher and consistent revenue with positive EBITDA supports larger unsecured limits. Providers look for cash flow coverage of repayments, often targeting a Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) above 1.25x. Loss-making or thin-margin positions will reduce available limits or shift recommendations toward secured options.

2) Trading history and stability

Two or more years’ trading with filed accounts usually unlocks fuller options. Start-stop revenue patterns, adverse director changes, or industry shocks can dampen appetite. Stable order books and repeat customers help demonstrate resilience.

3) Credit profile and conduct

Company credit scores, CCJs, arrears, bounced payments, and HMRC Time to Pay arrangements influence pricing and limits. Clean repayment history across existing facilities strengthens cases for larger top-ups. Directors’ personal credit is also considered for unsecured lending or guarantees.

4) Security and guarantees

Providing property, assets, or debentures can materially increase maximum funding. With asset finance, the machine itself is security, often enhancing limits. Personal guarantees are common on unsecured loans; where they are declined, limits may be lower.

5) Sector, customer concentration, and debtor quality

Printers reliant on one or two major clients may see tighter concentration caps in invoice finance. Lenders examine debtor quality, dispute rates, and payment terms to set advance rates. A diversified blue-chip ledger typically supports higher limits.

Other factors that can help or hinder

• Purpose of funds: Investment that boosts productivity or reduces energy use is favoured.
• Equipment specifics: Brand, age, residual value, and secondary market demand matter.
• Existing debt: Total leverage and refinance opportunities affect headroom.
• Energy costs and sustainability plans: Demonstrable cost control can improve affordability.
• Insurance and maintenance: Service contracts and warranties reduce operational risk.

How lenders size facilities for printing firms (worked examples)

The following examples are illustrative only. Real outcomes vary by provider appetite, credit, security, and market conditions. They show how different products are sized and combined.

Example A: Digital print shop seeking £150k for a new press

Turnover £1.8m, EBITDA £180k, no adverse credit, two directors with clean personal files. Asset finance covers £130k of the press cost over 5 years, with a residual optional. Unsecured top-up of £20k supports installation and training costs.

Total monthly repayments are tested against free cash flow with a DSCR target above 1.3x. Demonstrating productivity uplift of 25% and lower click charges supports the affordability case. The firm keeps a 10% contingency for consumables and learning curve impacts.

Example B: Litho printer with strong ledger exploring invoice finance

Turnover £4m, average debtor days 55, low dispute rate, diversified client base. Invoice finance facility set at £600k with an advance rate of 85% and a concentration cap of 30% on the largest debtor. This releases up to £510k against outstanding invoices.

Funds smooth paper, plates, and energy costs, reducing need for overdraft extensions. As turnover rises, the facility limit can flex subject to covenants. Strong credit control processes help keep fees competitive.

Example C: Refinance of owned machinery to free working capital

A finishing line valued at £400k wholesale is refinanced at 70% of forced-sale value. Gross facility of £280k is structured over 4 years to release cash for a site fit-out. Security is the asset, with regular inspections and maintenance records required.

This approach avoids diluting unsecured headroom needed for future marketing or staffing investments. It may also reduce blended cost of capital compared to pure unsecured borrowing. The business protects cash while leveraging tangible asset value.

Affordability checkpoints providers often use

• DSCR: Aim for >1.25x after all commitments.
• Leverage: Total debt vs EBITDA assessed for sustainability.
• Headroom: Maintain cash buffers for substrate and energy volatility.

For businesses with seasonal peaks, lenders may model downside scenarios. Good management accounts and forecasts help defend the requested limit. This is especially relevant when order volumes shift with retail calendars.

Practical ways to increase how much you can borrow

You can often improve your maximum facility by preparing better, strengthening affordability, and de-risking the proposal. Lenders reward clarity, control, and sensible gearing. Use the list below as a pre-application checklist.

Improve your financial presentation

• Produce up-to-date management accounts and a 12–24 month cash flow forecast.
• Explain margins by job type, press, and substrate to evidence stability.
• Show how new kit will cut waste, energy, or click charges to boost EBITDA.

Where applicable, document confirmed orders that rely on the new capacity. Articulate payback period and productivity gains in simple terms. Demonstrate how funding aligns to ROI milestones.

Optimise your funding structure

• Use asset finance for machinery to preserve unsecured headroom.
• Consider invoice finance to align cash inflows with payment terms.
• Provide security or a deposit to access higher limits and lower rates.

Check if refinancing owned kit could release working capital at a lower blended cost. Avoid stacking multiple short-term advances that strain cash flow. Consolidating into a clearer structure may boost affordability metrics.

Reduce perceived risk

• Address HMRC arrears or agree Time to Pay before applying.
• Strengthen credit control and show low dispute/bad debt rates.
• Maintain service contracts and warranties for critical equipment.

Diversify customer exposure to ease concentration limits in invoice finance. Where you rely on one major buyer, present longer-term agreements or frame solutions to that risk. Evidence of ESG or energy-efficiency improvements can also reassure providers.

Documents you’ll likely need

• Last two years’ filed accounts and recent management accounts.
• Bank statements (3–6 months) and aged debtor/creditor reports.
• Asset quotes or specs; equipment serials for refinance; insurance details.

Clear, complete documentation helps speed decisions and may increase the amount offered. It reduces back-and-forth and shows strong internal controls. This is especially helpful for multi-entity groups or complex asset suites.

Get matched to lenders who understand printing

Best Business Loans helps UK printing businesses explore the most suitable finance routes quickly. We don’t supply loans directly; we use smart data-matching and a trusted network of lenders and brokers. You stay in control and compare options without contacting multiple providers yourself.

Our platform supports asset finance, equipment refinance, unsecured loans, invoice finance, and more. We prioritise transparent information so your decisions are fair, clear, and not misleading. It’s free to submit an enquiry and there’s no obligation to proceed.

To learn more about sector-specific options, see our guide to printing business loans. You’ll find how different funding types suit digital, litho, large-format, signage, finishing, and packaging operations. If you’re ready, complete your Quick Quote and we’ll match you with relevant providers for your needs.

How our process supports your borrowing capacity

• Fast discovery: Tell us about your business and funding purpose in minutes.
• Smart matching: Our system aligns your profile to providers active in printing.
• Better conversations: Engage only with lenders or brokers who fit your brief.

We aim to save time and improve outcomes through clarity and relevance. While we can’t guarantee the lowest rate or an approval, we’ll help you understand your options. The more complete your information, the stronger your potential offers.

FAQs: borrowing amounts for printing businesses

How much can a small digital printer borrow without security?

Many established SMEs in printing can access £25k–£150k unsecured, subject to turnover, profitability, and credit. Stronger firms may qualify up to £350k. Directors’ guarantees are commonly required.

Can I finance used printing equipment?

Yes, many providers fund used presses and finishing equipment at sensible LTVs. Expect additional checks on age, condition, and resale markets. Rates and terms may differ from new equipment finance.

What if my debtor days are long?

Invoice finance can bridge long payment terms by advancing a percentage of invoices. Providers will assess debtor quality, disputes, and concentration. Improving collections can lift advance rates and reduce fees.

How quickly can I get funds?

Unsecured loans can fund in days once documents are complete. Asset finance often completes within one to three weeks, aligned to supplier timelines. Invoice finance onboarding can range from one to four weeks depending on complexity.

Are there risks I should be aware of?

Yes—borrowing increases fixed commitments and can impact cash flow if sales dip. Secured lending puts assets at risk if repayments are missed. Always assess affordability and consider professional advice.

Important compliance and eligibility notes

We operate as an independent introducer to UK finance providers. All promotions are designed to be fair, clear, and not misleading. Facilities are subject to status, credit checks, and provider criteria.

Security and personal guarantees may be required. Non-payment can negatively affect your credit rating and may result in asset repossession for secured facilities. Our service supports established UK limited companies and LLPs, not start-ups or sole traders.

Ready to explore your options with confidence? Submit your Quick Quote on our website and get matched to providers who understand your sector. There’s no obligation and your details are handled securely and confidentially.

Key takeaways

• Most established printers can borrow from £10k to £5m+, depending on product and security.
• Limits are driven by affordability, trading history, credit, assets, and debtor quality.
• Asset finance, refinance, and invoice finance can increase capacity versus unsecured alone.
• Clean accounts, forecasts, and clear ROI narratives help maximise offers.
• Best Business Loans matches you with relevant UK providers; we don’t lend directly.