Overview of the ISBN requirement for books, tapes and CDs:
All books use International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN), obtainable through a designated organisation in each country.
An ISBN is required for each edition / distinct publication of each of your products.
Many authors confuse an ISBN Number with an ISBN Barcode…
- The ISBN Number is a regulated, globally-unique number that you apply for and have assigned by the designated ISBN organisation in your country (we cannot assign this to you).
- We can issue the ISBN Barcode, which is an optional printable image that encodes an ISBN Number in order for hard copy books to be physically-scannable at a retail checkout.
Time constraint: For a hard copy book, you need to obtain the ISBN barcode before finalising your book cover design!
So, if the product is only digital, you need the ISBN Number from a designated organisation in your country, but you don’t need a physical ISBN barcode from us.
But if the product includes a physical version such as a printable book, you need to do the following:
- First obtain an ISBN Number
- Then purchase a corresponding ISBN barcode.
Allow sufficient lead time for this!
Typically this ISBN barcode needs to be included in the printed design for your product, so it has to be added to the design before your product goes to print. If in a rush, use our online ordering…
Save time with an online Order:
International Barcodes can auto-email ISBN Barcode images directly from an online application, and you will receive them almost immediately.
For online ordering – do you have an ISBN Number already?
- If NO:
If you don’t have an ISBN number, then you’ll need to get an ISBN Number first.
You can apply for an ISBN number from the designated ISBN organisation for your country (you can search for your local ISBN organisation on the ISBN International website).
If you live in the UK or Ireland, you can get ISBN numbers from our sister company the Independent Publishing Network.
- If YES:
If you already have an ISBN number (but no barcode images for it), then you can simply order the barcode images for it.
You’ll be asked to enter your ISBN number into the ‘additional information’ section when you get to the checkout page.
Your ISBN number will be automatically turned into barcode images, and emailed to you immediately.
You will receive your ISBN barcode images immediately by Email in 3 formats.
You can choose which barcode format you prefer, and insert the barcode picture into the design for the cover of your book before printing.
What is an ISBN?
ISBN: “International Standard Book Number”.
It is a unique identifier for books, eBooks, tapes, CDs and DVDs.
Format example: 978-1-78280-808-4
NOTE: these products don’t use ISBNs:
- Magazines:
If you have a magazine, you need an ISSN, not an ISBN (see our ISSN Magazine barcode page) - Printed Music:
If you have printed music you’ll need to get a 13-digit International Standard Music Number (ISMN), and then have that converted to barcode images.
(a 13-digit ISMN, e.g. 979-0-2600-0043-8, can be turned into a 13 digit EAN-13 barcode in the same way that book ISBN numbers are turned into barcodes).
How to get printed music ISMNs: Please order “ISBN Barcode Images” but enter your ISMN number instead of an ISBN number into the text box before adding to cart.
Do I need an ISBN?
The ISBN numbering system is a global standard so that publishers can uniquely identify books, eBooks, tapes, and CDs and editions of these.
If you need such a globally-unique number, then YES, you need an ISBN for each edition / distinct publication of each of your products.
However, if you have no need of a globally-unique number (for example, you distribute a booklet to your local community only, or you personally sell your books online), then NO, you don’t need an ISBN.
Where can I get an ISBN?
You can apply for an ISBN from the designated ISBN organisation for your country – search for your local ISBN organisation on the ISBN International website.
If you live in the UK or Ireland, you can get ISBN numbers from our sister company the Independent Publishing Network.
Do I need an ISBN Barcode to go with the ISBN?
A barcode is only required if you are distributing a physical or printed copy of your title, because it is required for retail physical scanning. The retailer enters your product data and price into their software system and associates it with the barcode image. When scanning the barcode image at checkout, your product’s data pops up, allowing the purchase to be correctly processed, and the retailer’s inventory system to be appropriately updated.
So, if you are offering physical products such as a printed book, then YES, just as for the ISBN, you will need an ISBN Barcode for each edition / distinct publication of each product.
But if you are offering only a digital product such as an eBook that will be sold and distributed via digital media only, then NO, you don’t need the physical barcode.
For physical books, eBooks, tapes, and CDs, can I have an ISBN Barcode without an ISBN?
No, this isn’t possible… the barcode is an image that can be scanned to identify your ISBN for these products, so you first need the ISBN before ordering the ISBN Barcode… you cannot have an ISBN Barcode without an ISBN.
However, note that theoretically you could still sell products such as books or CDs without international recognition or regulation, and have your local retailer sales outlet stick on whatever general retail product barcodes they want for those products.
I have an ISBN now, and I also need a barcode – where and how can I get one?
The International Barcode Network members sell ISBN Barcode images online.
The procedure is simple and automated…
- Apply online and fill out your details (check your Email address carefully).
- In the additional information section when proceeding to checkout, include the 13-digit ISBN.
If you have multiple ISBNs, separate them with a comma or new line. For example:
978-1-2345-678-9-0, 978-123-4567-89-0 - When you make payment and submit the application, our software automatically generates your ISBN Barcode image/s in 3 formats and emails them to you.
- If you don’t receive them immediately,
-
- Check that your email is functioning (for example, test-email yourself)
- Check if they are in your Junk folder.
- Still no explanation? It is possible that in the application you mis-spelled your Email address or that there was a software error (rare, but it could happen) – Please Email the support address provided and ask that your ISBN Barcodes be manually forwarded to you.
How do I transfer the ISBN Barcode image from Email attachment to my product?
Choose which barcode format you prefer or ask your Publisher which they prefer.
Insert this barcode image into your book cover design before printing.
What are the Optional Price Codes?
ISBN Numbers can also be encoded with 5-digit price codes (EAN 5) on the end of them.
Price Codes:
0 (or 1) = GBP
3 = AUD
4 = NZD
5 = USD
6 = CAD
For example, to encode $9.99 USD, the EAN 5 would be 50999:
Purpose:
These price codes will be picked up by some scanners and can make it easier for retailers to establish the recommended retail price for books.
Limitations:
- These codes can encode a price of up to 99.99
- They encode in these currencies only: GBP, USD, CAD, AUD, NZD.
- Most scanners do not read this code at all so it is not common practice for ISBN numbers to have this price code.
How to order:
If you wish to have a price code added for your ISBN number, then when filling out your information, in the additional information section please indicate the following:
- that you would like a price code
- what price
- what currency