• No Upfront Cost Rentals: A/E Graphics Financial Services leases used, trade-in, and lease-return equipment with no money down, security deposit, or advance payments.
• Two Buyout Structures: Choose a low-payment FMV lease or a $1 buyout lease that transfers ownership at the end of the term.
• Custom Terms: Lease lengths can match a specific construction project instead of a fixed 36- or 60-month schedule.
• Local Backing: A/E Graphics’ Brookfield, Wisconsin technicians service leased equipment, not a remote leasing company.

Did you know that, according to the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, most American businesses finance at least part of their commercial equipment rather than paying cash outright? 

Equipment leasing options matter most when a lease still requires a down payment or security deposit before anything ships.

That upfront cost is exactly what stops a growing print shop or a busy general contractor from adding a second printer or scanner mid-project. It ties up capital that should be going toward payroll, materials, or the next bid.

This article explains how A/E Graphics Financial Services structures leases on used, trade-in, and lease-return large-format equipment, including the difference between FMV and $1 buyout terms and how custom lease lengths work for job sites.

What Is A/E Graphics Financial Services?

A/E Graphics Financial Services, referred to internally as GAB, is the financing arm A/E Graphics uses to lease, trade in, and lease-return large-format printers and scanners to Wisconsin businesses. Leases require no money down, no security deposit, and no advance payments, so equipment ships without tying up working capital.

Most equipment leasing programs still require some combination of a first and last payment, a security deposit, or a down payment before delivery. 

A/E Graphics Financial Services removes the friction usually associated with used and trade-in leases. It can facilitate a structure that is built specifically around equipment A/E Graphics already owns and has serviced, rather than new equipment sourced through a third-party lender.

As a top-20 Canon large-format dealer, A/E Graphics has a steady supply of trade-in and lease-return units coming through its Brookfield location. 

What’s the Difference Between an FMV Lease and a $1 Buyout Lease?

A fair market value (FMV) lease has a lower monthly payment because you return the printer or scanner, purchase it at market value, or re-lease it at the end of the term. You can think of an FMV lease as similar to a car lease with a balloon residual at the end of the term. 

Otherwise, a $1 buyout has slightly higher monthly payments but transfers ownership of the equipment for one dollar once the final payment posts.

Both structures are available on the same pool of used, trade-in, and lease-return inventory, so the choice comes down to how the business plans to use the equipment.

What Used, Trade-In, and Lease-Return Equipment Qualifies for Leasing?

Leasing through A/E Graphics Financial Services applies to equipment pulled from A/E Graphics’ own trade-in program and prior lease returns, primarily Canon imagePROGRAF, plotWAVE printers, and Contex large-format scanners that have been serviced and inspected before being relisted.

Because A/E Graphics runs an active used equipment list alongside new Canon sales, the pool of eligible units changes regularly. A business looking for a specific model or capacity should confirm current availability directly rather than assuming a given unit is in stock.

Every unit leased through this program goes through the same service and inspection process A/E Graphics applies to equipment it sells outright, which matters for a business relying on the machine for daily production rather than occasional use.

How Do Custom Lease Terms Work for Construction Job Sites?

A/E Graphics Financial Services can write lease terms around a project’s actual duration instead of a standard 36- or 60-month schedule, so a contractor pays for a printer or scanner only as long as a specific job site needs it.

This can matter a log for general contractors and independent trade subs producing plan sets, as-builts, and change order documentation on a fixed job timeline. 

How custom-length terms support contractors:

• Match equipment cost to a specific project budget and timeline
• Avoid a multi-year commitment for a temporary site office
• Return or renew the lease as the next project’s needs become clear

Key Takeaways

• Leasing through A/E Graphics Financial Services requires no money down, no security deposit, and no advance payments on used, trade-in, and lease-return equipment.
• FMV leases lower the monthly payment; $1 buyout leases end in ownership.
• Eligible equipment comes from A/E Graphics’ serviced trade-in and lease-return inventory, primarily Canon and Contex hardware.
• Lease lengths can be built around a specific construction project rather than a fixed standard term.
• Every leased unit carries the same service backing as new equipment sold through A/E Graphics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need strong credit to qualify for a used equipment lease?

Approval depends on the business’s financial profile, not on whether the equipment is new or used. A/E Graphics Financial Services structures each application individually, so contact A/E Graphics directly to discuss specific qualification requirements.

Can I switch from an FMV lease to a $1 buyout lease later?

Lease terms are set at signing, but a business can typically negotiate a new lease or a purchase option when the current term ends. Talk to A/E Graphics Financial Services before signing if there is a chance the intended use will change.

What happens at the end of an FMV lease term?

At the end of an FMV lease, you typically return the equipment, purchase it at its assessed fair market value, or roll it into a new lease on updated equipment. The original lease agreement sets the specific end-of-term options.

Is service included with leased equipment?

Leased equipment can include the same service and support contracts A/E Graphics offers on new and used equipment sales, backed by technicians based in Brookfield, Wisconsin.

How fast can leased equipment be delivered to a job site?

Delivery timing depends on current used and trade-in inventory and the specific model requested. Call A/E Graphics at 262-781-7744 to check availability for a specific unit and site.

Sources & References

Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, “CapEx Finance Index (CFI) November 2025”: https://www.cdrecycler.com/news/elfa-equipment-financing-index-november-2025-decline-usa

Equipment Leasing & Finance Association, industry overview: https://www.equipmentfa.com/news/category/28/3/equipment-leasing-finance-association

About the Author

Tom Taubenheim is President of A/E Graphics, Inc., a Wisconsin large-format printing and equipment company based in Brookfield. He oversees equipment sales, leasing, and service operations for AEC firms, manufacturers, and contractors across the greater Milwaukee area.

Does your project timeline not fit a standard lease term? Call A/E Graphics at 262-781-7744 to discuss leasing options for current, used, trade-in, and lease-return equipment.