Barcodes for Books

 
The Challenge of Book Barcoding
  Simply Barcodes understands the unique challenges facing those needing to barcode a book. With so many options available, where do you go, and who is legitimate? Customers often share with us that barcoding books seems so complicated. Do they need a UPC code and ISBN code? Is an EAN code and ISBN code the same thing?
 
 
ISBN Codes
  The International Standard Book Number (ISBN), a unique commercial book identifier barcode, identifies a unique book. It is encoded in an EAN-13 format barcode with a Price Supplemental barcode.
  1. ISBN Code
  2. Human Readable Text (optional)
  3. Pricing Supplemental Code (optional, except in USA & Canada)
 
 
  If you plan on distributing your book in the USA or Canada, widest possible distribution and sales of a book are achieved by adding a standard UPC Code.
  1. UPC Code (highly recommended)
  2. ISBN Code
  3. Human Readable Text (optional)
  4. Pricing Supplemental Code (required in USA/Canada)
 
COSTS: $25 ISBN Barcode graphic creation
  $89 Add an official UPC code (optional but highly recommended)
  $25 to add human readable text above your ISBN barcode graphic (optional)
  Order Now! or call us at +1-404-869-0701 or 1-877-872-2060 (toll-free).
 

How are Barcodes for Books different?
  Books differ from other products sold in the retail market. All books feature an ISBN barcode which encodes your book’s ISBN (International Standard Book Number). Next to the ISBN barcode is a 5-digit pricing supplemental that permits you to specify a suggested retail price. This second code is required only in the USA & Canada by traditional book sellers such as Barnes & Nobles, Books-a-Million, and others.

Many books sold in the USA and Canada also feature a standard 12-digit UPC code. Why? Because books are sold in many different retail outlets aside from just traditional bookstores. For example, warehouse clubs like Costco, grocery stores, drug stores, and many more. In order to guarantee your book can be sold in all possible retail situations, we recommend that you add a UPC code.

Please consider the following example:
   
 


 
   
The bottom left features the standard UPC barcode.
   
The right side features the standard ISBN (International Standard Book Number) barcode.
   
The small 5-digit barcode next to the ISBN represents your suggested retail price. The first digit of this price barcode indicates the currency. The remaining 4 digits indicate the price xx.yy of your book. If you do have a suggested price, please let us know the amount and the currency. If you decide not to recommend a price or if your price is more than 99.99, or if you sell in more than one country then the price barcode will read 90000.
   
 
 

Do I really need a Barcode on my Book?
  Yes, Amazon and most major bookstores have electronic point of sale (ePOS) systems, which enable them to keep track of their sales and stocks and to reorder books by scanning the barcode.

Most retailers refuse to accept books that are not barcoded. In addition, many distributors make use of barcodes in their warehouse systems.
 
 

How do I purchase Barcodes for Books?

 
For assistance, please call us at +1-404-869-0701 or 1-877-872-2060.

Options Description Cost Ordering Instructions
Recommended ISBN Barcode & UPC Code $114.00

Bare Minimum ISBN Barcode only $25.00

Add a UPC Use this option to add a UPC code to a book that already has an ISBN barcode. $89.00


  We only require that you provide contact and billing information. You are not required to provide product information.
  Your retailer collects your product information, which they associate with your barcode at the Point of Sale.
  Note: We also accept PayPal, checks or money orders. If using one of these payment methods, please download and complete an Order Form and include it with your payment.
   
 
PayPal Checks/Money Orders

Send funds to:

paypal@simplybarcodes.com

Send funds to:

Simply Barcodes
1170 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1200
Atlanta, GA 30309
U.S.A.
 
 

What do I get when I order my Barcode for Books?
 
1stUpon completion of your order, you receive an email confirmation of your ISBN graphic and/or UPC code purchase.
2ndSimply Barcodes assigns your official UPC numbers from our database of official codes issued by the UCC (now called GS1).
3rdWe generate the digital barcode images from the numbers you purchased and/or the ISBN you provided.
4thWe email your ISBN barcode graphic and/or your UPC code to you as an attachment.
 
 

In what format are my Barcodes for Books created?
  If you are ordering the ISBN barcode & the UPC code, then you choose your barcode graphic format from four different formats (EPS, PNG, JPEG, or AI) so that your graphic artist, printing company, or manufacturing facility can work with the graphic in their preferred software.
 
  If you are ordering just the ISBN barcode, you choose your ISBN barcode graphic from four different formats (EPS, PNG, JPEG, or AI).
 
  If you are ordering just the UPC code, then you will automatically receive your UPC barcode in three different formats (EPS, TIFF, and JPEG).
 
   
EPS Format - This layered, vector EPS file is the preferred format of most graphic designers due to its quality and versatility, particularly for resizing. EPS is an "exchange" format, not necessarily associated with one specific graphics program. An exchange format is one intended for multiple applications to be able to open.
PNG Format - This raster PNG file works well for graphic artists who need a transparent background. This format supports lossless data compression. However, this format is not suitable for significant resizing.
JPEG Format - This uncompressed, high-quality JPEG file is the most common file format. All computers can open a JPEG. However, it is not suitable for resizing.
AI or Adobe Illustrator - This layered, vector AI file, generated in Adobe Illustrator, is the preferred format of most graphic designers due to its quality and versatility, particularly for resizing. AI is an application-native file format for Adobe Illustrator. An application-native format is intended for use by the creating application.
 
 

When do I get my Barcodes for Books?
  The turn-around time is often within an hour.
All orders received before 4 p.m. Eastern Time on business days are completed the same day. Orders placed after 4 p.m. will be processed next business day. If you require RUSH completion, please call 1-877-872-2060 (toll-free) or +1-404-869-0701 (international) to make arrangements.
 
 

How do I get my Barcode on my Book?
  Providing the barcode image to your graphic artist and including it in the design of your packaging prior to printing represents the easiest and most economical way of getting your barcodes on your book.

If your book has already been printed, you will need barcode labels. If you need pre-printed peel & stick barcode labels, please call us at 1-877-872-2060 (toll-free) or +1-404-869-0701 (international) or click label printing to order online. All orders received before 2 p.m. Eastern Time on business days are completed the same day and shipped for free within the continental U.S.
 
 

Where can I get an ISBN number for my book?
  Before we can create the barcodes for your book, you must first have an ISBN number. These numbers are issued by a central ISBN agency in your country.

In the UK and Ireland, please obtain your ISBN numbers from Nielsen Book… Click here

In Australia, please obtain your ISBN numbers from Thorpe-Bowker… Click here

In the USA, please obtain your ISBN numbers from the Bowker Agency… Click here

In Canada, please obtain your ISBN numbers from Government of Canada Publications… Click here

For all other countries and/or additional help, please contact us at 1-877-872-2060 (toll-free) or +1-404-869-0701 (international).
 
 







     


 
  •   "Just had a "Simply" wonderful experience with Simply Barcodes. I received excellent service beginning with the initial chat, that answered most of my questions. The phone reps were incredible and patient. Had a few issues and Krissi walked me through everything. It was a quick, inexpensive process. I appreciate the knowledge that they all showcased. It really was a wonderful experience. And, guess what? got my EPS file within 15 minutes of ordering it! OMG - wish everybody I dealt with worked like them. 5 stars!! I'll be a repeat customer."

    Germany Kent
    Date Your Mate Book
    Culver City, California
  •   “I am happy with my experience with Simply Barcodes. I own a digital printing shop and I was impressed with the ease of the process. All we had to do was order and that same day we were able to put the barcode in the packaging artwork. I did not have any problems.”

    Ysabelle Roy
    DIGIPUB
    Port-au-Prince, Petion Ville, Haiti
  •   “It was so easy to get the barcode. The process was very simple. I received my barcode within one hour. In a matter of minutes we were able to use the barcode. I am happy with my experience with you.”

    Michel Moore
    LogInfo
    Candiac, QC, Canada
  •   “We purchased codes from you previously and we expect to purchase another 10 codes from you within a year. Thanks for a great service.”

    Judy Jui
    Judy's Magic Mixes
    Ontario, Canada
  •   “The process was quick and we received our barcodes the same day. We are very happy with your service.”

    Ann Alari
    Nemcom International OU
    Surrey, Great Britain
  •   “It was a simple and easy process. I received my barcodes quickly. The service is efficient and friendly.”

    Fiona Silk
    Mind Candy
    London, Great Britain