FAQs: General Questions

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FAQs: General Questions

What is an ISBN?
The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a 13-digit number that uniquely identifies books and book-like products published internationally.

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What is the purpose of an ISBN?
The purpose of the ISBN is to establish and identify one title or edition of a title from one specific publisher and is unique to that edition. This allows for more efficient marketing of products by booksellers, libraries, universities, wholesalers, and distributors.

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What is the format of the ISBN?
Every ISBN consists of thirteen digits and is preceded by the letters ISBN when printed. The number is divided into four parts of variable length, each separated by a hyphen.

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Does the ISBN have any meaning embedded in the numbers?
The four parts of an ISBN are as follows:

• Group or country identifier which identifies a national or geographic grouping of publishers;
• Publisher identifier which identifies a particular publisher within a group;
• Title identifier which identifies a particular title or edition of a title;
• Check digit is the single digit at the end of the ISBN which validates the ISBN.

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Why do some ISBNs end in an "X"?
In the case of the check digit, the last digit of the ISBN, the upper case X can appear. The check digit is determined using the modulus 11 with weighting factors 10 to 1. The Roman numeral X represents 10 where it would occur as a check digit.

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Who can assign ISBNs to a publisher?
There are over 160 ISBN Agencies worldwide, each appointed as the exclusive agent responsible for assigning ISBNs to publishers residing in their country or geographic territory. The United States ISBN Agency is the only source authorized to assign ISBNs to publishers with an address in the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Its database establishes the publisher of record associated with each prefix.

Once an ISBN publisher prefix and associated block of numbers have been assigned to a publisher by the ISBN Agency, the publisher can assign ISBNs to publications it holds publishing rights to. However, publishers cannot resell, re-assign, transfer, or split their list of ISBNs among other publishers. These guidelines ensure the veracity, accuracy, and continued utility of the international ISBN standard.

If you are a new publisher, you should apply for your own ISBN publisher prefix. This will help you identify and circulate your books properly in the supply chain. Be wary of purchasing single ISBNs from unauthorized resellers, as this violates the ISBN standard and industry practice. A publisher with re-assigned ISBNs will not be correctly identified in industry databases like Books In Print or those used by retailers and wholesalers. Contact the US ISBN Agency for further advice if needed.

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Who is eligible for an ISBN?
The ISBN Agency assigns ISBNs at the request of publishers, e-book publishers, audio cassette and video producers, software producers, museums, and associations with publishing programs.

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How long does it take to get an ISBN?
Allow 5 business days for non-priority processing from the time an ISBN application is received. Priority processing takes two business days, and express processing is completed in 24 business hours.

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How much does it cost to get an ISBN?
There is a service fee to process all ISBN applications. Priority and Express processing require an additional fee. Note that the processing service charge is non-refundable.

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What do I do when I receive the ISBN and where is it printed?
An ISBN should be assigned to each title or product, including any backlist or forthcoming titles. Each format or binding must have a separate ISBN. A new ISBN is required for a revised edition. Once assigned, an ISBN can never be reused. An ISBN is printed on the lower portion of the back cover of a book above the bar code and on the copyright page.

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How & where do I register my ISBN?
Once assigned, ISBNs should be reported to R.R. Bowker, the database of record for the ISBN Agency. Eligible companies can get a free listing in directories like Books in Print, Words on Cassette, and Bowker's Complete Video Directory. Note: Receiving just your ISBNs does not guarantee title listings. To ensure your titles get in the Books in Print database, submit your title information to www.bowkerlink.com.

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Can a publisher have both an ISBN & an ISSN?
Yes. Both numbering systems are used for books in a series and with annuals or biennials. The ISBN identifies the individual book, while the ISSN identifies the ongoing series or annual/biennial serial. If a publication has both, each should be printed on the copyright page.

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How can I find an assigned ISBN?
Assigned ISBNs appear in publications like Publishers, Distributors & Wholesalers of the United States, published by R.R. Bowker, and Literary Market Place, published by Information Today.

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How are ISBNs used in a Bar Code & how do I obtain one?
The ISBN can be translated into a worldwide compatible bar code format. Publishers can request this online at www.isbn.org or www.bowkerbarcode.com. Bar code scanning is required by many retailers for sales transactions of book publications.

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How do I select the correct amount of ISBNs?
ISBNs are sold in blocks of 10, 100, and 1000. Estimate the number of publications you will be publishing within the next five years and select the block that suits your needs. Selecting a larger block may reduce the unit cost per ISBN and allow you to maintain one publisher prefix.

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What is the format of the new ISBN-13?
Every ISBN will consist of thirteen digits in 2007. The thirteen-digit number is divided into five parts of variable length, each separated by a hyphen.

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Does the ISBN-13 have any meaning embedded in the numbers?
The five parts of an ISBN are as follows:

1. The current ISBN-13 will be prefixed by "978";
2. Group or country identifier which identifies a national or geographic grouping of publishers;
3. Publisher identifier which identifies a particular publisher within a group;
4. Title identifier which identifies a particular title or edition of a title;
5. Check digit which validates the ISBN.

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Where does an ISBN get placed on a book?
An ISBN gets placed on the copyright page and, if there is no bar code, on the back cover.

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What is the difference between a bar code and an ISBN?
An ISBN is a number. A bar code is the graphic with vertical lines that encodes numerical information for scanning purposes. An ISBN and a bar code are two different things.

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Does it matter where a book is printed?
No, books can be printed anywhere. ISBNs are assigned based on the geographical location of the publisher, not the printing company.

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If a publisher is selling their books on their own and are not trying to place them in stores or libraries or with wholesalers, is an ISBN required?
No, an ISBN is not required.

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Do ISBNs have to be assigned to books that are not being sold?
No, they do not have to be assigned, but they can be.

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Are different ISBNs used if a book appears in different languages?
Yes. Each language version is a different product.

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Are custom publications assigned ISBNs?
No, custom publications are not assigned ISBNs unless necessary for a publisher’s back office systems, such as finance, since there is only one customer in such arrangements.

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Wholesale Stationery: Get Started

Do you accept native application files?

While we prefer to work with PDF files, we will accept files created in Adobe InDesign, QuarkXpress, and Microsoft Publisher. Each program has special procedures that collect everything into one folder a printer needs to print the file properly.

InDesign
To submit a native file from InDesign, use the Package function. InDesign files must meet the following requirements if accepted in native format:

1. They must be packaged using the Package function found under File.
2. The Package function will:
• Include the fonts. Customer must ensure all screen and type fonts are included.
• Include the links and graphics.
3. Customer must ensure all screen and type fonts are included in a Fonts folder.
4. The graphics used must be at the proper resolution for commercial printing.
5. The RGB colors used must be either Spot (Pantones) or CMYK.
6. Proofs printed by the customer must accompany the file, including separations if the file is to be printed on an offset press.

Microsoft Publisher
To submit a native file from Microsoft Publisher, use the Take to a Commercial Printing Service function. Microsoft Publisher files must meet the following requirements if accepted in native format:

1. The file must be prepared using the Pack and Go function found under File, then the Take to a Commercial Printing Service function.
2. The Take to a Commercial Printing Service function will:
• Run the Design Checker to detect any problems and help you correct them.
• Update the links to linked graphics.
• Include the linked graphics files in the packed publication.
• Embed TrueType fonts in your publication.
• Create a list of any fonts the wizard can't embed.
• Create a report of any problems with linked graphics.
• Give the user the option to print a composite proof.
3. Customer must ensure all screen and type fonts are included in a Fonts folder.
4. The graphics included must be at the proper resolution for commercial printing.
5. The RGB colors used must be either Spot (Pantones) or CMYK.
6. Proofs printed by the customer must accompany the file, including separations if the file is to be printed on an offset press.

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