The good news is there are many financing options that can lessen the load on businesses either entering or expanding in the grand-format industry. Financing gives business owners the ability to save upfront cash for operating expenses and other unexpected things that inevitably arise in growing a successful business.
Incentives like rebates, bundling packages and various other creative programs can help shops purchase the equipment needed to effectively manage and grow their business. Loans and leases can be tailored to the customer’s needs for the best rate and optimal terms. Many options, like low or no down payments, include delayed payment terms and hefty trade-in allowances designed to help sign and commercial graphics shops keep pace with industry demands and stay competitive.
Shop Evaluation
With the purchase of a big piece of equipment, like a grand-format printer, shop owners are not only investing for now, but also for the future of their business. Therefore, they must evaluate their needs on several levels.
First, do they have the volume and demand needed to support this capital equipment purchase? Do they have the space and infrastructure in place to bring in this equipment? More importantly, they must determine whether a growing customer base exists to support their long-term business goals.
A comprehensive ROI on their business should take into account such factors as labor, rent allocation (real estate needed for equipment footprint) income expectation based on average selling price per square foot, monthly production in square feet, average working days per month, average production, speed in square feet per hour, number of shifts, daily production and maintenance, cost of ownership, and material waste.
Additionally, the ROI should examine the total cost of owning a printer over the term of the loan or the lease including training, sales and marketing, and a long -term maintenance program.
Once the decision has been made to invest, there are a few ways to purchase the equipment, whether you’re paying cash, getting a loan through a bank, equipment finance specialist or other lending institution, or leasing.
Cash
No doubt, cash is the easiest and fastest way to purchase equipment. Of course no one likes debt and while paying cash is quick with virtually no paperwork involved, it is a large outlay that may not be realized back into the business quickly enough to mitigate the debt. Because new technology takes time to master, especially if it is a technology that the business does not already have a solid market base to sell to, a cash outlay may often become a riskier approach for the bottom line.
Bank Loans
Many print shop owners like to use their local bank for new equipment loans. This is a good option if there is a long-standing relationship with that bank. Many programs exist that offer competitive rates and lines of credit and can customize a program specific to that businesses’ need. A bank loan may require a significant down payment, depending on the amount financed, additional fees and a more information-laden approval process with a lot of paperwork. Bank rates may be fairly low, but also may be variable putting a strain on monthly payments.
In-House Vendor Financing
Printer manufacturers and distributors have plenty of programs and options to incentivize customers to use their resources and, in many cases, this makes a lot of sense. Whether internal financing is available, or they use outside sources, the vendor can ease the approval process and make it less burdensome while customizing a financial package that also allows for expansion, equipment upgrading and incorporates consumables. In-house vendor departments also offer a variety of loan or lease terms and rates can be competitive with bank rates.
Leasing Options
Perhaps the most significant benefit of leasing equipment is that in most cases with good credit, a lease can be structured with a small or no down payment. This allows a shop owner to maintain a cash flow and keep lines of credit open for important known expenses such as payroll and day-to-day operations. Also with a lease there is usually less paperwork, often just a one-page credit application.
Depending on the dollar value of the piece of equipment, this may be all a print shop owner needs to supply to get an approval. Not only is leasing quick with fast turnaround times, it also provides 100 percent financing on new and used equipment and can include soft goods such as software and installation and training.
Additionally, leasing companies normally specialize in certain markets and partner with companies like the Global Garage that buy and sell used equipment and are prepared to handle equipment coming off lease. This makes it very convenient for business owners who are at the end of a lease to move into newer technology.
A fair market value lease for instance, allows customers to upgrade easily by trading in their equipment for a more advanced model. Leasing enables the shop owner to put several pieces of equipment on different leases or put them all on one lease with different equipment schedules to ease monthly cash outlay and accounting tasks.
Before Finalizing your Decision
For any of these options, there are a few things to keep in mind. Before the decision to buy is finalized, discuss business goals and needs with an accountant or a financial advisor. Loans and leases are more difficult to attain for grand format equipment if the business has not been operating for at least 3 years and has established good credit. Good loan or lease rates depend on credit worthiness as well as how much money is being funded. Most of all, ask questions because the range of options and financial programs available is far-reaching and most lending institutions will make a great effort to accommodate a PSP’s needs and business goals to win their business.
Nice Tax Break
Finally, don’t forget the Section 179 Tax Deduction from the federal government that gives qualifying businesses a nice tax break up to a $500,000 for new and used equipment purchases, allowing for a 100 percent write-off and substantial savings.