How to Publish your Own Comics

Here are the following steps you need to take to have your comics published. Since Gio already has "how to make indie comics", I might as well post some more for those who want to pursue publishing.

1. Ok so you now have your comics on hand. Regardless if it's photocopied or printed in printing press. Think of a company name. Go to DTI office in Makati, get a form to apply for a business name. You may check sole prop. Bring birth cert. for those who have Chinese surname. Once they approve your business name, (take note, they will require publishing in the business name if you plan to be a publisher) You may put a minimal amount of capital regardless the mock you will get from the assessor. You will see the benefit in the end. Once they approve your business name, pay Php300. You may have to take a 1 day off from work. Be there as early as you can. Usually the whole process takes until the afternoon.

2. Get your copyright and ISBN/ISSN in National Library. For Copyright, bring 2 copies of your book, 3 copyright forms, which can be downloaded in the website of national library. Check the box as unpublished, classification: book. Use manual typewriter in filing up the forms then go to an Atty. for notarization. That will cost you Php150. National Library will get 2 forms of this notarized copyright and 2 of your books. Pay Php300 at the cashier.

3. To get the ISBN or ISSN, download also the form in the website of national library. Then bring a copy of your DTI permit and the original one. Pay around Php200 stamps included. The national library application for both copyright and ISBN will take like 1-2 hours. Be there early.

4. Go to your barangay and ask for a barangay business permit. Bring your DTI permit again. Pay around Php250 to Php500.

5. Get your current x-ray in your company nurse. Or you may take your own xray in clinics. That is just Php300-Php1500.

6. Bring your DTI, Barangay permit, x-ray result (with photocopies) to your city hall. Ask for the form for business permit. Fill it up. Put there no office or warehouse. Tell them your office is just your own room min your residence. Put the initial capital you have in your DTI form (make sure this is minimal. Do not put millions ok? Or you'll end up crying). Then they will just direct you what to do. You will go through fire, sanitation, etc. Tell sanitation that you have no employees. Once done, pay around Php5-6000. (see? it's cheap when you out minimal capital)Then go back to sanitation, they will approve and then pay Php250. Then viola! You may now claim your business permit and plates. This will take half day.

7. Then go to BIR. Bring your business permit and DTI forms. Get form 1906 (application for printing receipts). Fill it up with your printing press agent. I got mine printed up to number 1000 for delivery receipts, sales invoice and official receipts. That costs me Php8000. Register your business to BIR. If you are sole prop, you may use your existing TIN in your workplace. To be able to get your official BIR form and Ask for receipt plate, it may take 3-7 days. Printing your receipts may also take a week.

8. Good job! You can now officially sell your comics to bookstores!