A practical guide for UK print businesses exploring hire purchase, finance lease and other options for press finance.
Printing Press Finance Explained
Printing press finance is a form of asset finance that allows UK businesses to acquire commercial print equipment - offset presses, digital presses, wide-format printers, finishing equipment - without funding the full purchase price upfront. Instead, the cost is spread over an agreed term with fixed monthly payments.
The two most common structures are hire purchase (HP) and finance lease. Both allow businesses to use the asset from day one while preserving working capital for operations and growth.
Finance Options for Printing Equipment
Hire Purchase (HP)
You pay a deposit (typically 0–20%), then fixed monthly instalments over the agreed term. Ownership transfers to you on final payment. Suitable when you want to own the press and benefit from capital allowances.
Finance Lease
The lender retains ownership. You lease the press over the term and at the end can extend, return it, or sell and retain a portion of proceeds. Lease payments are typically 100% tax-deductible against profit.
Operating Lease
Shorter-term arrangement where you return the equipment at the end. Monthly payments are lower as they cover depreciation only. Useful for equipment you expect to upgrade frequently.
Sale and Leaseback
If you own a press outright, you can sell it to a finance company and immediately lease it back. This releases capital from the asset while retaining use of the equipment.
Worked Example: £80,000 Offset Press, 5-Year HP at 7.5%
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Press value | £80,000 |
| Deposit (0%) | £0 |
| Amount financed | £80,000 |
| Interest rate | 7.5% per annum |
| Term | 5 years (60 months) |
| Monthly payment | £1,603 |
| Total amount repayable | £96,182 |
| Total interest payable | £16,182 |
For illustrative purposes only. Actual rates and payments will vary based on lender, credit profile and deal structure.
Eligibility for Printing Press Finance
Lenders typically assess the following factors when considering printing press finance applications:
- Time in business - most mainstream lenders require 2+ years of trading history
- Financial accounts - up to 3 years of filed accounts or management accounts
- Credit profile - business and personal credit history
- Asset type and age - new or near-new equipment is most readily financed; older assets may require specialist lenders
- Deal structure - deposit amount, term length and finance type all affect lender appetite