| "How do I get a barcode for my Book or | | | | create up to 100 different barcode numbers. |
| Magazine?" This question regularly arises, and | | | | Hence, it is possible to put different barcode |
| usually requires an urgent answer. Many authors | | | | numbers on different issues of the same |
| get as far as having their book or magazine | | | | magazine. One relatively common method is to |
| ready to print, and then suddenly realize that they | | | | create a different barcode number for each issue |
| need a barcode number on it. | | | | of the year – for example a magazine that is |
| It is possible to just purchase a standard EAN-13 | | | | issued four times each year might have four |
| retail barcode number to put on a book or | | | | different barcode numbers (one for each issue), |
| magazine. However, it is much more common to | | | | that are then reused again the following year. |
| get an ISBN or ISSN number for the publication, | | | | For magazines that are issued frequently (weekly |
| and then to use this number as a basis for the | | | | or monthly), it is more common to use the same |
| barcode number. | | | | barcode number on every issue. A quick way to |
| ISBN (International Standard Book Numbers) and | | | | research this in your area is to go to a magazine |
| ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) are a | | | | store and have a look at the barcode numbers on |
| unique identifier assigned to each edition of every | | | | the magazines – this way you will get a good |
| published book, book-like product, magazine and | | | | idea of what is commonly done. |
| serial. In different countries, the process and cost | | | | Your ISBN or ISSN number needs to be |
| for obtaining an ISBN or ISSN number is different. | | | | converted to a barcode image, which can be |
| In some countries, the same agency issues both | | | | incorporated in the cover of your book or |
| ISBN and ISSN numbers – in other countries, | | | | magazine. There si software available on the |
| they are issued by different agencies. | | | | internet that claims to provide this service for |
| In New Zealand, both ISBN and ISSN numbers are | | | | free. However, like many free things, the quality it |
| issued by the NZ National Library for free. In | | | | produces is often not good. When you are |
| Australia, the Australian National Library assigns | | | | spending lots of money printing a book or |
| ISSN numbers (for magazines) and the ISBN | | | | magazine, it is important not to skimp on the cost |
| Agency issues ISBN numbers, with some | | | | of a barcode image. Purchasing a barcode image |
| associated costs. | | | | from a reputable company like Barcodes NZ is |
| Once you have obtained your ISBN or ISSN | | | | relatively cheap, and the images they send you |
| number, it needs to be converted to a barcode | | | | are created with high quality software specifically |
| number. There are straight forward procedures | | | | designed to create barcode images. |
| for this, which depend somewhat on the nature | | | | Even though getting a barcode is one of the last |
| of your number. ISBN numbers come in 10 digit | | | | things considered by authors and magazine |
| or 13 digit lengths, with different conversion | | | | editors, it need not be a long or painful process. |
| processes for each. | | | | Obtaining an ISBN or ISSN number is relatively |
| ISSN numbers are normally 8 digits long, and need | | | | fast, and then using professional barcode services |
| to be converted to 13 digit format for the | | | | to turn this number into a barcode is quick and |
| barcode. With one ISSN number, it is possible to | | | | inexpensive. |