Printing company energy suppliers, tariffs and costs

Printing companies rely heavily on consistent energy supply to power their operations, which include running high-capacity printers, copiers, and other machinery. As these businesses often operate on tight deadlines, any disruption in energy supply can lead to significant setbacks. Therefore, understanding the energy needs and exploring cost-effective tariffs is crucial for printing companies. This guide will provide insights into the energy usage patterns typical for the printing industry, factors influencing bills, and tips on comparing tariffs effectively. By carefully managing their energy consumption, printing businesses can potentially reduce operational costs and improve their environmental footprint.

How much does energy cost for a printing company?

There is no published price list for printing companies. What a printing company pays depends on how much it uses in a year, when it agreed its contract and for how long, wholesale prices at that time, the standing charge, meter type, payment method and credit history. The most recent government figures, for the second quarter of 2026 (April to June, provisional), put the average price paid by UK non-domestic customers at 24.51p per kWh for electricity and 5.28p per kWh for gas, including the Climate Change Levy and standing charges and excluding VAT. A year earlier the averages were 24.03p and 5.31p. Smaller users typically pay more per unit: businesses using under 20,000 kWh of electricity a year averaged 38.36p per kWh, and those using under 278,000 kWh of gas averaged 9.31p per kWh.

Source: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Prices of fuels purchased by non-domestic consumers in the UK (Quarterly Energy Prices tables 3.4.1 and 3.4.2), published 29 September 2026. Q2 2026 figures are provisional; next update 17 December 2026. Prices are fully delivered averages including the Climate Change Levy and all other elements except VAT, so standing charges are already spread across the units. Averages across every UK business in a band, not quotes, and not comparable with a supplier’s unit rate.

Working out a monthly figure for your business

Take the annual kWh from your latest bill or annual statement, find the band above and multiply for a rough benchmark. A site using 15,000 kWh of electricity a year sits in the very small band: 15,000 × 38.36p is about £5,750 a year, or roughly £480 a month before VAT. A site using 60,000 kWh of gas a year: 60,000 × 9.31p is about £5,590 a year, or roughly £465 a month. The bands are statistical groupings used by the government, not supplier price breaks, so treat them as a guide to what similar-sized sites paid rather than a price you will be offered. To judge an actual quote, compare its total annual cost (unit rate × your annual kWh, plus the daily standing charge × 365) with what you pay now.

VAT and the Climate Change Levy on business energy

The prices above exclude VAT. Business energy normally carries VAT at 20% plus the Climate Change Levy (CCL). HMRC applies the 5% reduced rate, with no CCL, in three cases. First, low usage: supplies averaging no more than 33 kWh of electricity a day (1,000 kWh a month) or 145 kWh of gas a day (4,397 kWh a month) are treated as domestic use whoever the customer is. Second, fuel and power for domestic use, which HMRC defines to include homes providing care for the elderly or disabled, children’s homes, hospices and school or university residential accommodation. Third, a charity’s non-business activities. From 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, electricity that qualifies for the reduced rate is charged at 0% VAT instead of 5% in England, Scotland and Wales; qualifying gas stays at 5%, qualifying electricity in Northern Ireland stays at 5%, and electricity returns to 5% from 1 April 2027. HMRC has not changed which supplies qualify or the certificate process; the same rules decide whether a supply gets 0% or 20%. Where a site is mixed, 60% or more qualifying use means the whole supply gets the reduced rate; below that the supply is split between the two rates, and the customer gives the supplier a certificate declaring the qualifying percentage. Source: HMRC VAT Notice 701/19 (sections 2.8, 3.2 to 3.5, 4.2 and 5.2, updated 5 February 2025), gov.uk VAT rates and HMRC Revenue and Customs Brief 10 (2026).

Do Ofgem’s microbusiness protections apply to printing companies?

Ofgem treats a business as a microbusiness if it has fewer than 10 employees (or their full-time equivalent) and an annual turnover or balance sheet total of no more than £2 million, or if it uses no more than 100,000 kWh of electricity or 293,000 kWh of gas a year. A business can be a microbusiness for one fuel and not the other. Independent printing companies that meet either test are covered by Ofgem’s microbusiness rules, which give extra protections around contract terms and renewals (Ofgem: get energy for your business).

Do business energy rates vary by region?

Yes. Part of every unit rate covers the cost of the local electricity distribution network, and Great Britain has 14 licensed distribution areas each with its own charges, so identical contracts are priced differently in, for example, the north of Scotland and London. DESNZ does not publish non-domestic prices by region, so regional figures quoted elsewhere are supplier or broker estimates rather than official statistics.

Which energy supplier is best for printing companies?

There is no single answer. Suppliers price business contracts individually rather than publishing standard tariffs for printing companies, so the cheapest supplier for one business is often not the cheapest for the next: each prices on the consumption, meter type, contract length and credit profile in front of it. Compare the total annual cost of like-for-like contract lengths rather than the headline unit rate, and check the standing charge and what happens when the contract ends before signing.

How printing companies use energy

Printing companies typically experience high energy usage due to the continuous operation of large-scale printers and other equipment. These businesses often require stable and reliable electricity supply to maintain productivity. Energy demands may fluctuate based on the volume of print jobs and the types of machinery used. Many printing companies operate long hours, sometimes even around the clock, which further contributes to their significant energy consumption. Understanding the specific energy needs of your business can help in selecting the most suitable energy tariff.

What affects energy bills for printing companies

Several factors affect the energy bills of a printing company, including:

• The efficiency of printing equipment and machinery.
• Operational hours, with longer hours leading to higher consumption.
• Seasonal variations in energy use for heating or cooling.
• Energy contracts and rates negotiated with suppliers.
• Implementation of energy-saving practices and technologies.

How to compare tariffs

When comparing tariffs for printing companies, consider the following checklist:

• Analyse your current energy consumption patterns.
• Identify peak and off-peak usage times to find a suitable tariff.
• Check contract terms for flexibility and potential hidden costs.
• Consider green energy options if sustainability is a priority.
• Use a reliable comparison service to explore available options.

Gas or electricity: what matters most

For most printing companies, electricity is the primary energy source used to power equipment and keep operations running smoothly. While gas may not be as critical unless used for heating, it's important to consider the role it plays in overall energy costs. Understanding the balance between these energy types based on your specific needs can help in choosing the right energy mix and tariffs.

How switching works

The switching process for printing companies involves several key steps:

1. Review your current energy contract and note the end date.
2. Gather data on your energy usage to inform your decision.
3. Use a comparison service to identify new suppliers and tariffs.
4. Contact the chosen supplier to initiate the switch, ensuring they handle the transfer.
5. Confirm the switch date and monitor the transition to avoid any disruptions.

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