Printing Shop Business Permits & Setup Guide (Philippines)
Clear, practical step-by-step checklist (requirements and typical fees) to start a printing shop in the Philippines, including where to apply, what documents you’ll need, and realistic cost ranges by shop size and location.
What you'll learn in this printing shop guide
This printing shop business permits and setup guide walks you through deciding your business model, registering with DTI or SEC, securing barangay and mayor’s permits, registering with BIR, and estimating startup and first-year costs for small to commercial-scale shops.
For deeper registration topics, you may also want to read our DTI Business Name Registration Guide, VAT vs Non-VAT Tax Type Guide, and BIR Business Registration Guide.
Para ma-model ang printing equipment, renovations, at monthly bills, puwede mong gamitin ang Budget Calculator para sa capital at gastos, ang Product Costing Calculator para sa per-job costing at markup, at ang Task Management System para sa job orders at production queue.
Quick summary (what you’ll do)
- Decide business structure and name.
- Register business (DTI for sole prop / SEC for corporation or OPC).
- Get Barangay clearance, then Mayor’s/business permit (with fire and sanitary certificates).
- Register with BIR (TIN, receipts, tax type).
- Register as employer (SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG) if you’ll hire staff.
- Secure other permits: signage, zoning/locational, environmental (if chemical waste), occupancy, insurance.
- Open a business bank account and set up accounting and compliance systems.
Step-by-step with documents & estimated fees
1) Choose business model & prepare basic costs
Decide if you’ll operate as a home-based sole proprietorship, One-Person Corporation (OPC), or a partnership/corporation with partners and higher capital.
Estimate initial capital (very approximate ranges):
- Small/home-based (basic large-format inkjet + supplies): ₱50,000–₱250,000.
- Small shop with decent digital printers: ₱250,000–₱1,000,000.
- Full commercial shop (digital press, heat press, finishing equipment): ₱1,000,000–₱5,000,000+.
Get actual quotes from suppliers for printers, inks, finishing equipment, and maintenance contracts.
2) Register your business name
Sole proprietor (DTI):
Register your business name with DTI via BNRS (online). Typical national registration fees seen in public examples are around ₱230–₱530 for many cases depending on scope.
OPC / Corporation (SEC):
Reserve and register via SEC eSPARC. Name reservation is small (examples around ~₱120), while filing and registration fees depend on authorized capital.
Common documents needed:
- Valid government ID.
- Proof of address or lease contract.
- Articles of Incorporation and related SEC forms (for corporations/OPC).
- DTI/SEC payment receipts.
3) Barangay Clearance
Apply at the barangay where your shop will operate. Fees are small but vary — often in the range of ₱300–₱1,000 for small businesses.
Barangay clearance is typically required before you can apply for your Mayor’s/business permit.
4) Mayor’s Permit / Business Permit (City/Municipal Hall)
Apply at the local Business Permit & Licensing Office (BPLD). This often bundles your business permit with Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC), Sanitary Permit, zoning/locational clearance, and building inspections.
Typical fees (examples from LGU schedules):
- For small shops, combined Mayor’s + sanitary + fire + garbage + building inspection + signage fees can total roughly ₱3,000–₱15,000 depending on city and gross receipts.
Common documents required:
- DTI or SEC registration certificate.
- Lease contract or proof of ownership for the location.
- Barangay clearance.
- Government IDs of owner/authorized representative.
- Occupancy/building permit or owner’s consent, as required.
5) BIR registration (COR, receipts/invoices)
Register with BIR (Form 1901 for sole proprietors, 1903 for corporations) to obtain your Certificate of Registration (COR), authority to print or issue receipts, and to register books of accounts.
Recent guidance notes that the old ₱500 annual registration fee was removed as of early 2024 for some taxpayers — confirm current rules with your RDO or the NewBizReg portal.
Typical BIR-related costs:
- Documentary Stamp Tax (e.g., ~₱30 per COR or related forms).
- Printing or acquiring BIR-accredited receipts/invoices or e-receipt solutions.
- Printing and binding of books of accounts.
6) Tax classification & VAT / Percentage tax
If expected annual gross sales exceed ₱3,000,000, you must register for VAT (12%). If you expect to stay under ₱3M, you can be non-VAT and pay percentage tax (typically 3%) or in some cases opt for the 8% flat income tax (for individuals who qualify).
Consult BIR or an accountant to choose the best tax type for your printing shop’s pricing and margins.
7) Employer registrations (if hiring)
Register as an employer with SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG once you start hiring. These registrations come after BIR registration and Mayor’s Permit.
Upfront government fees are usually small, but you’ll have ongoing monthly contributions based on employees’ salaries and current contribution tables.
8) Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) & Sanitary Permit
Fire inspection by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and a Sanitary Permit are usually part of your Mayor’s permit process. Printing shops may need proper extinguishers, exit routes, and waste handling measures.
Example fire inspection fees in some cities start around ₱300 for very small businesses and scale based on floor area and risk.
9) Zoning / Locational Clearance & Building Occupancy
Make sure your shop’s location is zoned for commercial/printing use. Some residential zones restrict printing due to potential noise and odors.
If you renovate or build out a space, coordinate with your LGU’s Office of the Building Official (OBO) regarding building and occupancy permits.
10) Signage permit, waste disposal, and environmental concerns
Apply for a signboard/signage permit (fees vary by LGU). For shops using significant inks, solvents, or chemicals, coordinate with CENRO or environmental offices about proper waste disposal and any additional permits.
11) Equipment & supplier compliance
If importing presses or specialized equipment, factor in customs duties, VAT, and supplier warranties. Locally purchased machines will include VAT and may come with installation and training.
12) Insurance, POS/receipts, and accounting
Consider business insurance (fire, theft, liability) for equipment and inventory. Set up a BIR-compliant POS or receipting system and maintain accurate books of accounts to avoid penalties.
Typical first-year cost snapshot (example, Metro Manila small shop)
| Category | Estimated range |
|---|---|
| Registration & permits (DTI/SEC + barangay + mayor + BIR + SSS/PH/HD) | ₱5,000–₱20,000 |
| Equipment & initial inventory | ₱50,000 (micro) → ₱3,000,000+ (commercial) |
| Utilities, renovation, furniture | ₱20,000–₱200,000 |
| Working capital (2–3 months wages, consumables, marketing) | ₱30,000–₱300,000 |
One-page checklist you can copy
- Decide business structure (Sole prop / OPC / Corporation).
- Reserve and register your business name (DTI or SEC).
- Get Barangay Clearance.
- Apply for Mayor’s Permit (submit barangay cert, DTI/SEC, lease/ownership docs, FSIC, sanitary requirements).
- Register with BIR (Form 1901/1903), secure receipts/e-receipts, and register books of accounts.
- Register with SSS/PhilHealth/Pag-IBIG (if hiring staff).
- Get signage permit, zoning/locational clearance, and building occupancy if required.
- Get supplier quotes for printers, inks, paper, finishing tools; plan your initial inventory.
- Set up POS/accounting and consider business insurance.
- Hire and train staff; comply with labor laws and safety requirements.