Finance Assets arranges embroidery machine finance for UK limited companies buying commercial multi-head embroidery machines, industrial sewing machines and the garment decoration kit that goes with them.
Embroidery machine finance spreads the cost of a commercial machine over 2 to 5 years, so a workwear, schoolwear or promotional products business can bring embroidery in-house, add heads or take on bigger orders without a large cash outlay. We arrange hire purchase and leasing for new and used machines from makers such as Tajima, Barudan, ZSK and Brother, bought from UK dealers or direct.
Written by Marcus Wright, founder of Bolton Business Finance Ltd, in financial services since 2008 and a commercial finance broker since 2019. Last reviewed September 2026.
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The short version
- Embroidery machine finance spreads the cost of a commercial machine over 2 to 5 years.
- Multi-head machines from established makers hold their value, so lenders fund them new or used.
- Heat presses, DTF printers, digitising software and industrial sewing machines can go on the same agreement.
- Dealer and manufacturer finance is not the only option, so it is worth comparing quotes.
- Finance Assets arranges embroidery machine finance for UK limited companies and LLPs, not for hobby or home use.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Machines covered | Commercial single-head and multi-head embroidery machines, industrial sewing machines, heat presses, DTF and DTG printers |
| Deal sizes | From a heat press and printer bundle to a full embroidery room with several multi-head machines |
| Terms | Usually 2 to 5 years |
| Paid upfront | Hire purchase: often a 10% deposit plus VAT. Leases: usually 1 to 3 rentals in advance |
| New or used | Both, from UK dealers, manufacturers and other decorators |
| Who we help | UK limited companies and LLPs |
Embroidery and sewing machines we finance
Lenders will fund most commercial embroidery, sewing and garment decoration equipment, provided it comes from a maker or dealer with support in the UK.
| Equipment group | Examples |
|---|---|
| Multi-head embroidery | 2 to 20 head machines for workwear, schoolwear and promotional garments, from makers such as Tajima, Barudan, ZSK and Brother |
| Commercial single-head embroidery | Commercial single and twin-head machines for caps, garments and short runs |
| Industrial sewing and stitching machines | Lockstitch, overlock, coverstitch and heavy-duty machines for garment making, upholstery and technical textiles |
| Garment printing | DTF and DTG printers, heat presses and screen printing carousels |
| Software and extras | Digitising software, cap frames, hooping stations and thread management |
New and used embroidery machines
New machines from established makers are the easiest to fund, and used machines are widely funded too, with a few points that change the terms.
- Used multi-head machines. Funded from dealers and other decorators. Lenders look at the machine’s age, stitch count and service history, and whether parts and support are still available.
- Lesser-known brands. Machines from newer or overseas makers can be funded when a UK dealer supplies and services them. Brands with no UK support are much harder.
- Dealer and manufacturer finance. Many dealers offer finance through a partner lender. It is convenient, but comparing it with the wider market can show a better rate or a structure that suits your cash flow.
- Bundles. A machine, heat press, printer and software package can usually go on one agreement, along with installation and training.
Finance options for embroidery machines
Most decorators buy embroidery machines on hire purchase, and some lease them to keep the upfront cost down. Our types of asset finance guide covers each option in more depth.
| Type | How it works | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Hire purchase | A deposit, then fixed monthly payments. You own the machine after the last one | Machines you will run for many years |
| Finance lease | Rentals with VAT added to each one. The lender owns the machine | Keeping the upfront cost down on a bundle of machines |
| Operating lease | Lower rentals set around the machine’s expected resale value. Hand back or upgrade at the end | Moving up to more heads every few years, on well-known makers’ machines |
| Type | VAT | Tax treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Hire purchase | VAT on the full price is paid at the start, and a VAT-registered company usually reclaims it on its next return | The company is treated as the owner, so it may be able to claim capital allowances, such as the annual investment allowance |
| Finance lease | VAT is added to each rental and reclaimed as normal | Rentals are usually deductible as a business expense |
| Operating lease | VAT is added to each rental | Rentals are usually deductible, and the lender claims the capital allowances |
Your accountant can confirm how each option works for your company’s tax position.
Hire purchase for embroidery and sewing machines
Hire purchase for embroidery and sewing machines suits a business that will run the machine for its full working life, which for a well-maintained multi-head machine can be many years. You pay a deposit, often around 10% plus the VAT, then fixed monthly payments, and the machine becomes yours after the final payment and a small option fee.
Finance lease for embroidery and sewing machines
A finance lease for embroidery and sewing machines spreads the VAT across the rentals instead of paying it upfront, which helps when you are buying a machine, heat press and printer together. The lender owns the equipment, and at the end you can usually carry on at a small secondary rental, or sell it for the lender and keep most of the proceeds.
Operating lease for embroidery and sewing machines
An operating lease for embroidery and sewing machines suits a business that wants to move up to more heads or newer machines every few years. The rentals are set around what the machine should be worth at the end, so they are lower than a finance lease. Fewer lenders offer it, and mainly on machines from well-known makers.
Embroidery machine finance costs: a worked example
A new 8-head commercial embroidery machine at £55,000 costs about £1,574 a month over 3 years, or about £1,028 a month over 5 years, on hire purchase.
| Item | 3 years | 5 years |
|---|---|---|
| Machine price (excl. VAT) | £55,000 | £55,000 |
| Deposit (10%) | £5,500 | £5,500 |
| VAT paid upfront | £11,000 | £11,000 |
| Monthly payment | £1,574.09 | £1,027.54 |
| Total interest | £7,167 | £12,152 |
The 5-year term lowers the monthly payment by about £547 but adds around £4,985 of interest. A commercial single-head machine costs proportionately less to finance.
Illustration calculated in September 2026, assuming an interest rate of 9% a year. It is not a quote. Your rate depends on your trading history, credit profile and the machine.
What lenders look for in embroidery machine finance applications
Lenders look at the usual financial documents, plus a clear quote and evidence of the work the machine will do.
- Accounts and bank statements. The last two years of filed accounts, recent management accounts and three to six months of business bank statements.
- Supplier quote. An itemised quote showing the machine, extras, software, installation and training separately.
- Orders and customers. School, corporate workwear or club contracts, or what you currently spend sending embroidery out to another decorator.
- Director history. Lenders check the directors’ credit records and may ask for personal guarantees on newer companies.
Related guides
Who we can help
We arrange embroidery machine finance for UK limited companies and LLPs using the machines commercially. We are not authorised by the FCA, so we cannot arrange agreements of £25,000 or less for sole traders or small partnerships, or finance for personal, home or hobby use.
Embroidery machine finance FAQs
How much does it cost to lease an embroidery machine?
It depends on the machine and the terms. As an illustration, a new 8-head commercial machine at £55,000 costs about £1,574 a month over 3 years, or about £1,028 a month over 5 years, on hire purchase at 9%, after a 10% deposit and the VAT paid upfront. A commercial single-head machine costs proportionately less.
Where can I lease an embroidery machine in the UK?
Most UK embroidery machine dealers offer finance through a partner lender, and some manufacturers run their own schemes. A broker such as Finance Assets can compare those with the wider market for limited companies, and can often fund used machines or mixed bundles that a dealer scheme will not.
Can I finance a used embroidery machine?
Yes. Used multi-head machines from established makers are widely funded, from dealers and other decorators. Lenders look at the machine’s age, stitch count, service history and whether parts are still available. Terms are often shorter on older machines.
Can heat presses and DTF printers go on the same agreement?
Usually, yes. Heat presses, DTF and DTG printers, digitising software, cap frames and industrial sewing machines can normally go on the same agreement as an embroidery machine, along with installation and training. Lenders prefer the main machine to make up most of the total cost.
Can you arrange finance for a sole trader?
Only for agreements over £25,000. Finance for sole traders and small partnerships of £25,000 or less is regulated by the FCA, and we are not authorised to arrange it. An FCA-authorised lender or broker can help with those. Limited companies and LLPs are not subject to that limit.
Can a new embroidery business get finance?
Yes, although lenders look harder at companies with less than two years of accounts. They may ask for a larger deposit, personal guarantees from the directors or evidence of orders, such as a school or corporate workwear contract. Showing what you already spend sending embroidery out can make a strong case.
Get an embroidery machine finance quote
Tell us about the machine
Send us the supplier quote and a few details about your business. We will come back with the options that are realistic and what they are likely to cost.
About the author
Marcus Wright is the owner and founder of Bolton Business Finance Ltd, which trades as Finance Assets. He has worked in financial services since 2008, beginning his career at Santander, and has been a commercial finance broker since March 2019.
He founded Bolton Business Finance in 2020 to give businesses access to the whole lending market rather than one bank’s own product range. The firm is a member of the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers and works with a panel of 135+ lenders. Call 0161 546 9128.
Finance Assets is a trading name of Bolton Business Finance Ltd, an independent commercial finance brokerage, not a lender. We are not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and can only complete non-regulated introductions. All lending is for business purposes only. Registered address: Westgate House, 1 Westgate Avenue, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL1 4RF. Company number 12495909.