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Gable Asset Finance specialises in providing asset finance solutions for businesses in the UK printing and lithography sector. Whether your business operates traditional offset lithography presses, modern digital presses, large-format printers, bindery equipment, CTP machinery, or finishing tools, we offer finance solutions to help acquire, upgrade, or expand your operations without large upfront capital outlays.
This page explores the types of equipment commonly financed, finance structures available, practical benefits, case studies, and a step-by-step guide for UK printers and lithographers seeking funding.
The UK printing and lithography industry remains a vital component of manufacturing and commercial services. Businesses range from small print shops to large production houses serving publishing, packaging, advertising, and marketing sectors. In addition to traditional lithography, digital and large-format printing has grown, enabling shorter runs, personalised printing, and faster turnaround times.
Investment in reliable machinery and modern technology is crucial to maintain competitiveness, meet client expectations, and comply with industry standards. Many UK printing businesses rely on asset finance to acquire high-cost printing presses, bindery lines, digital printers, and finishing equipment without depleting working capital.
Understanding the machinery involved helps determine the most suitable finance option for your business.
Traditional offset lithography presses transfer images from plates to rubber blankets and then onto paper or other substrates. Well-known manufacturers include Heidelberg, Komori, Ryobi, and Manroland. These presses are capital-intensive but essential for high-volume, high-quality printing.
Digital presses, such as the Kodak NexPress and Xerox Iridesse, support shorter runs, variable data printing, and quick job turnaround. These machines are ideal for print-on-demand, personalised printing, and low-volume commercial work. Despite being less capital-intensive than large offset presses, digital presses still represent a significant investment for SMEs.
Printers such as Epson SureColour, Canon iPF, and Swiss Q series are used for banners, signage, displays, and specialist printing. They are versatile machines suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications and often paired with laminators and cutters.
Cutting and plotting machines, including Summa plotters and Esko digital cutters, provide precision finishing for large-format work, including signage, packaging prototypes, and display materials. Accurate cutting and contouring are essential for professional output.
Computer-to-Plate (CTP) systems create printing plates directly from digital files. Leading models include Agfa, Fuji, and Kodak platesetters. CTP reduces manual handling, speeds up production, and improves print accuracy. Finance for CTP equipment is crucial for upgrading older platesetters or expanding production capacity.
Machines such as Müller Martini stitchers, folders, and bookbinders convert printed sheets into finished products. Bindery lines can include collators, perfect binders, and saddle-stitch machines, often tailored for high-volume commercial print operations.
Finishing equipment, including Kala laminators, GS laser cutters, and embossing machines, add value and professional quality to printed materials. Laminating, coating, foiling, die-cutting, and embossing are integral to packaging, marketing materials, and bespoke print products.
Inks, printing plates, paper stock, adhesives, and specialty media represent ongoing operational costs. Backup presses, pallet trucks, and storage racks are also financeable for large-scale operations.
Gable Asset Finance provides a range of financing options tailored for the UK printing sector, allowing businesses to preserve cash flow while accessing necessary machinery.
How it works: You hire the equipment with fixed monthly payments and gain ownership at the end of the term. This is ideal for large offset presses, bindery lines, and digital presses.
Benefits: Full ownership, capital allowances eligibility, predictable repayments, and ability to claim tax relief on interest and depreciation.
How it works: A funder owns the equipment while your business uses it, with fixed payments. Ownership can transfer at the end if required. Suitable for high-tech digital presses or cutting and plotting machines.
Benefits: Lower upfront cost, balance sheet efficiency, and access to upgrade options at lease-end.
How it works: Equipment is leased for a defined period; the business does not own the asset but has the right to use it. At the end, the asset can be returned, upgraded, or the lease renewed.
Benefits: Ideal for technology with rapid obsolescence, like computers and CTP systems. Payments are often treated as operating expenses, improving cashflow management.
Structured for businesses wishing to buy equipment outright, loans provide ownership from day one. Interest and principal are spread over the agreed term. Useful for printers purchasing multiple presses, bindery lines, or finishing equipment simultaneously.
If you already own high-value printing equipment, sale & leaseback allows you to free capital while retaining operational use. This is effective for growth projects, expansions, or refurbishments.
Complex setups, such as multi-line printing plants or studio-to-production transitions, may use a combination of HP, leases, loans, and working capital facilities. Gable Asset Finance designs bespoke packages to match project timelines, cashflow cycles, and tax planning needs.
A regional print shop invested in a Kodak NexPress digital press to offer short-run, personalised printing. Gable Asset Finance structured a hire purchase plan, enabling immediate deployment without capital strain. Within 12 months, the shop increased revenue from variable-data jobs by 30%.
A commercial printer required a Müller Martini binding line for finishing high-volume book orders. A blended finance package using a finance lease and equipment loan allowed installation while preserving working capital for consumables. Production efficiency improved by 25%.
An advertising company deployed Epson SureColour large-format printers across three sites. Operating leases were used for flexible upgrading options, ensuring clients received cutting-edge printing capabilities. Cashflow remained steady despite high initial equipment costs.
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Yes, particularly with credible industry experience, supplier quotes, and a robust business plan. Lenders may request higher deposits or merchant-linked repayment structures.
High-quality used presses, cutters, and finishing lines can be financed if well-maintained with documented service histories and independent valuations.
Hire purchase and finance leases usually range from 24–60 months. Longer-term HP is available for large capital investments, depending on asset life and lender policies.
Some lenders may finance initial consumables (plates, inks) and workflow software where part of a bundled supplier package. Ongoing consumables are typically treated as operational expenses.
Ready to discuss your printing equipment finance?Contact Gable Asset Finance today with your equipment list, supplier quotes, and financial information. We’ll provide a free, no-obligation assessment of your financing options.
Gable Asset Finance offers business finance and leasing for printing and lithographers equipment for all sizes of business ranging from blue chip to family run companies.
We are a dedicated team of business finance and leasing specialists working with new and existing printing companies in the UK arranging business finance and leasing on all equipment and machinery required for litho, digital and wide format printing.
Gable Asset Finance are specialists arranging business finance and leasing in all types machinery and equipnment of printing, litho & digital, large and wide format, water based, Dye & Pigment, Eco-Solvent, UV and Latex such as:
We can arrange business finance and leasing an extensive range of pre-press, proofing and pressroom printing equipment from manufacturers such as:-
Gable Asset Finance can arrange business finance and leasing for new, used and reconditioned graphic machinery and related equipment for printing, bindery and packaging. Machines from Heidelberg, KBA and more or Processing Machines from Müller Martini, Bobst and others.