Potts Print (UK) finance director Stephanie Tobin told PrintWeek the company purchased an Autobond B1 Perfecting Laminator for £116,000 and a Muller Martini line for £320,832.

She said Northumberland-based Potts Print had successfully applied for two loans from Barclays, totalling £380,000, to help with the purchases, through the Cashback for Business scheme.

The scheme meant that the printing company received £7,600 cashback – something Tobin described as an "added bonus" so soon after making an asset purchase.

She added that the new kit was likely to lead to further employment opportunities at Potts Print. Barclays’ Cashback for Business scheme, which is supported by the government-backed Funding for Lending scheme, provides cashback on business loans.

Barclays head of media Daniel Hunter said that any Barclays customer that qualified for one of these loans could receive 2% cashback on the value of the loan upfront.

"The reason we have decided to offer businesses cashback is so they get the benefit straight away, rather than over a longer period of time, as with lower interest rates," he said.

He said that interest rates on these loans were still low though, and they had not been "jacked up" in order to provide the cashback.

Hunter said he did not know how long the scheme would be available for, but that anyone interested in applying should speak to their relationship manager. Companies with a turnover of up to £50m were eligible, he added, and the maximum cashback amount is £200,000.