Ribbon Star Press

Publishing Blog / ISBNs & Book Barcodes

An ISBN and a book barcode are related, but they aren’t the same thing. The ISBN identifies a particular book edition and format. The barcode is the scannable representation of that number on a printed book. Before paying for a separate barcode, check whether your printer or publishing platform already includes one.

At Ribbon Star Press, we help independent authors work through the practical details of publishing. Our sister service, Book Barcode Buddy, is an on-demand option when you already have your ISBN and need a barcode file for your cover.

What is an ISBN?

An International Standard Book Number identifies a specific publication, edition, and format. Current ISBNs contain 13 digits. A paperback and a hardcover published as separate formats need separate ISBNs; an ISBN isn’t simply one number for everything an author publishes.

If you need an ISBN, start with the ISBN agency for your country. In the United States, that agency is Bowker. If a publishing platform offers an ISBN, read its terms before deciding whether to use that number or obtain your own.

What is an ISBN barcode?

A book barcode turns the ISBN into a symbol that can be scanned. You may see it described as an EAN-13 or Bookland EAN barcode. The main bars encode the ISBN; a separate five-digit supplement may carry price information.

Creating a barcode does not register an ISBN, establish publishing rights, or list your book with a retailer. Obtain the correct ISBN for the edition first, then use that number when creating the barcode.

Do you need to buy a barcode separately?

Not always. The useful question is: Who is adding the barcode to your final cover? A print-on-demand platform may add one during its cover process. For example, IngramSpark explains that it can add a barcode when one isn’t supplied. Check your chosen service’s current cover requirements before placing a separate order.

If you are providing a finished cover to a printer, ask whether you need to include a barcode in your artwork. If you already have a suitable barcode supplied by your publishing service or designer, you may not need another one.

An ebook file doesn’t need a printed back-cover barcode. Whether it needs an ISBN is a separate question governed by the format and distribution service you use.

Should the barcode include a price?

The ISBN identifies the edition; the small price supplement is separate. Whether to include a price depends on your retailer, distributor, and publishing workflow. Ask which version they want rather than assuming a priced barcode is required everywhere.

Decide on your intended retail price and currency before ordering a priced version. If you expect to use different sales channels, ask each one about its requirements before choosing one version or both.

A checklist before you create your barcode

1. Confirm the edition. Use the ISBN assigned to the exact format you are printing—not a number from another edition.
2. Check who supplies it. Ask your printer, cover designer, or publishing platform whether they are already adding a barcode.
3. Confirm the price option. Follow your intended retailer or distributor’s requirements.
4. Plan the cover placement. Use your printer’s template and keep the barcode clear of trim, folds, text, and artwork.
5. Preserve the clear space. Don’t crop the blank margins around the barcode or stretch it out of proportion. Have your printer review the final cover and inspect a printed proof.

When Book Barcode Buddy is a useful option

If you already have your ISBN and your cover workflow calls for a separate barcode file, our sister service Book Barcode Buddy’s ISBN barcode generator creates barcodes on demand. It’s the new home of Ribbon Star Press’s barcode service.

Choose a barcode without a price for $5.99, a barcode with a price for $6.99, or both versions for $8.99. The tool creates the barcode; you still need to obtain your ISBN separately and confirm your printer’s requirements.

Create an ISBN Barcode

Shipping cartons of books? That’s a different label.

A barcode on an individual book cover is not a carton product label. When you ship boxes of books to a retailer or distributor, follow that recipient’s carton labeling and shipping instructions. The details required for a box can include information such as its contents, quantity, and weight.

Read about Ribbon Star Press’s carton label service, now available through Book Barcode Buddy’s on-demand carton label tool. Don’t substitute a cover barcode for a shipping label or assume one label meets every recipient’s requirements.

Need help deciding how these pieces fit into your publishing plan? Explore our self-publishing basics or consulting services for authors.