If you are planning to publish and sell your book, you may need an ISBN.
An ISBN should be organised before your book and cover design are finalised.
This is because the ISBN may need to appear inside the book on the copyright page, and the barcode may need to appear on the back cover. If you leave it until after the book has already been designed, you may need to pay for changes to the internal layout or cover file.
For Australian authors, ISBNs are purchased through Thorpe-Bowker, the official ISBN Agency for Australia and its territories.
What is an ISBN?
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number.
It is a unique identifying number used for books and book-related products.
An ISBN helps identify:
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the book title
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the edition
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the format
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the publisher
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the specific version of the book
Think of it as an identification number for your book in the publishing and bookselling system.
It helps bookstores, libraries, distributors, wholesalers and online retailers identify and order the correct book.
Where do Australian authors get an ISBN?
Australian authors should purchase ISBNs from Thorpe-Bowker.
Thorpe-Bowker is the official ISBN Agency for Australia and its territories.
If you are publishing in another country, you should check the official ISBN agency for that country.
When should you buy your ISBN?
You should purchase your ISBN before the book and cover design are finalised.
Ideally, organise it once your manuscript is close to final and before your designer starts preparing the finished internal pages and print-ready cover.
This matters because the ISBN may be needed for:
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the copyright page
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the barcode
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the back cover
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book metadata
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retailer listings
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library records
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distribution platforms
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ordering systems
If you wait until the last minute, it can delay your book or create extra design changes.
Why the ISBN is needed before internal book design
The ISBN is often included on the copyright page inside the book.
If the internal pages have already been designed and you later decide to add or change the ISBN, the designer may need to update the internal file.
That may sound like a small change, but once a book is laid out, even small changes need to be checked carefully.
The safest process is to organise your ISBN first, then provide it to your designer before the internal book design is finalised.
Why the ISBN is needed before cover design
If your book has an ISBN and will be sold through retailers, the barcode usually needs to appear on the back cover.
That means the cover designer needs the barcode before the print-ready cover is finalised.
A print-ready cover includes the back cover, spine and front cover as one complete file. Once that file is built, adding a barcode later may require the designer to reopen and adjust the cover.
The barcode also needs to be placed correctly. It should not sit too close to the trim edge, spine fold or important artwork.
This is why your ISBN and barcode should be ready before the final cover file is prepared.
Do you always need an ISBN?
Not every printed book needs an ISBN.
If you are printing a private book for family, friends, a small event, internal business use or personal records, you may not need one.
You will usually need an ISBN if you want your book to be sold through:
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bookstores
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online retailers
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distributors
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wholesalers
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libraries
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some author sales platforms
If you want your book to be listed, ordered, stocked or tracked through the book trade, an ISBN is usually required.
Do you need a different ISBN for each format?
Yes, each format of your book generally needs its own ISBN.
For example, you would usually need separate ISBNs for:
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paperback
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hardcover
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ebook
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audiobook
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revised edition
A paperback and a hardcover are not the same product, so they need different ISBNs.
A print book and an ebook are also different products, so they need different ISBNs.
If you are only printing one paperback version, you usually only need one ISBN for that format.
Can you use a free or supplied ISBN?
Some publishing platforms, assisted publishing services and publishing package providers may offer to supply an ISBN for your book.
This can sound convenient, especially if you are new to publishing.
But authors need to understand what this may mean.
A free or supplied ISBN may save money upfront, but it can also reduce your control over how your book is identified in publishing systems.
Before accepting one, make sure you understand who will be listed as the publisher and whether you can use that ISBN outside the service providing it.
Be careful with ISBNs supplied by third parties
The person or company that owns and supplies the ISBN may be listed as the publisher of that edition of the book.
This means that even though you wrote the book, the publishing record may show the third party, platform or service provider as the publisher.
That may not be what you want.
If you want to publish independently under your own name, business name or imprint, you should consider purchasing your own ISBN before book and cover design.
Why third-party ISBNs can be a problem
The publisher name attached to an ISBN becomes part of the book’s publishing metadata.
That metadata may be used by:
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book retailers
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libraries
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distributors
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wholesalers
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catalogues
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ordering systems
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online book listings
If a third party supplies the ISBN, their name may appear as the publisher instead of yours.
This can create problems if you later want to:
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move your book to another printer or distributor
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publish under your own imprint
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control your book’s metadata
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set up your own publishing business
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release a new edition
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manage your own distribution
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appear as the publisher in book trade systems
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separate yourself from the original service provider
It can also make your book look less independently controlled than it actually is.
The downside of using someone else’s ISBN
Using a third-party ISBN may limit your control.
Possible downsides include:
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the third party may be listed as the publisher
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you may not control the publishing metadata
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you may not be able to use that ISBN outside their platform or service
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you may need a new ISBN if you move to another publishing path
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your book may appear tied to a company you no longer use
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retailers, libraries or distributors may see the third party as the publisher
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you may have less flexibility if you want to reprint, revise or distribute elsewhere
This does not mean every third-party ISBN is automatically bad.
But authors should know what they are agreeing to before accepting one.
Ask before accepting a supplied ISBN
Before using an ISBN supplied by someone else, ask:
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Who owns this ISBN?
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Who will be listed as the publisher?
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Can I use this ISBN outside your platform or service?
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Can I update the book metadata myself?
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What happens if I want to print or distribute somewhere else?
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Will I need a new ISBN if I leave?
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Will my own name, business or imprint appear as the publisher?
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Are there any restrictions attached to using this ISBN?
If the answers are unclear, pause before agreeing.
An ISBN is not just a number. It is part of your book’s publishing identity.
If you want full control of your book, buy your own ISBN and keep the publishing record in your own name or imprint.
What is a barcode?
A barcode is the scannable graphic created from your ISBN.
The ISBN is the number.
The barcode is the visual version that can be scanned by retailers, bookstores and inventory systems.
For printed books, the barcode is usually placed on the back cover.
If you are selling your book through bookshops or retail systems, the barcode is important.
How much does a barcode cost?
Thorpe-Bowker currently lists a single barcode at $45.
They also list ISBN and barcode bundles, which may be better value if you plan to publish more than one format or more than one book.
Always check the current Thorpe-Bowker pricing before purchasing, as prices may change.
Do you have to buy the barcode?
Not always.
If you have already purchased your ISBN, you may be able to create the barcode using an ISBN barcode generator tool.
A barcode is the scannable graphic created from your ISBN. The ISBN is the important number. The barcode is the visual version that can be scanned by retailers, bookstores and inventory systems.
Thorpe-Bowker sells barcode files, and some authors may prefer to buy directly from them for simplicity.
However, if you already have the ISBN, there are also barcode creation tools available that can generate an ISBN barcode from that number.
If you use a barcode generator, make sure the barcode is:
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created from the correct ISBN
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suitable for books
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in Bookland EAN / ISBN-13 format
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high enough quality for print
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supplied as a usable file for your cover designer
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tested before the book goes to print
Your cover designer or printer may also be able to advise whether the barcode file is suitable for printing.
Do not guess or use a low-quality image. A blurry or incorrect barcode can cause problems if the book is being scanned by retailers or bookstores.
If in doubt, ask your printer or designer before the cover is finalised.
Can ChatGPT help create a barcode?
Yes, ChatGPT may be able to help you create a barcode file if you already have your ISBN.
If you provide the ISBN, ChatGPT can help generate a scannable barcode image or guide you through creating one using a barcode tool.
This can be useful if you want to avoid paying separately for a barcode after you have already purchased your ISBN.
However, the barcode still needs to be correct and suitable for print.
Before using it on your book cover, make sure the barcode:
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uses the correct ISBN
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is in the correct book barcode format
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is high enough resolution for printing
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has not been stretched or distorted
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has enough white space around it
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scans correctly
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is approved by your designer or printer before the cover is finalised
ChatGPT can help create the barcode, but your printer or designer should still check that the final file is suitable for production.
Do not place an untested barcode on your finished cover.
Barcode placement
If your book has an ISBN, the barcode is usually placed on the back cover.
The barcode should be positioned clearly, with enough space around it so it can scan properly.
It should not be placed too close to the trim edge, spine fold or important artwork.
Your designer should allow a suitable barcode area in the back cover design.
If you do not yet have your ISBN or barcode, let the designer know before the cover is finalised.
ISBNs do not market your book
An ISBN helps identify your book.
It does not promote your book.
Having an ISBN does not mean bookstores will automatically stock your book. It does not mean readers will find it. It does not mean your book will sell.
An ISBN is part of the publishing setup.
Marketing is a separate job.
The ISBN makes your book easier to identify, list and order, but you still need to do the work of promoting it.
What information should you have ready?
When organising your ISBN and publishing information, it helps to have the following ready:
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book title
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subtitle, if any
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author name
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publisher name or imprint
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book format
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expected publication date
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book size
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subject or category
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short description
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price, if known
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edition information
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whether it is paperback, hardcover or ebook
Some details may be updated later depending on the system, but it is better to have your basic publishing information prepared before the design stage.
What your designer needs from you
Before the internal book and cover are finalised, give your designer:
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the ISBN
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the barcode file, if required
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the exact publisher or imprint name
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any copyright page wording
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any required back cover barcode placement instructions
This helps avoid last-minute changes and keeps the design process cleaner.
The main thing to remember
If you are planning to sell your book, organise your ISBN early.
For Australian authors, ISBNs should be purchased from Thorpe-Bowker before the book and cover design are finalised.
Your ISBN may need to appear on the copyright page.
Your barcode may need to appear on the back cover.
Be careful with ISBNs supplied by third parties. If someone else supplies the ISBN, they may be listed as the publisher of that edition, and you may have less control over your book’s publishing metadata.
If you leave the ISBN or barcode until after the book has been designed, you may need to pay for extra changes.
Sort the ISBN first.
Make sure you understand who owns it.
Confirm who will be listed as the publisher.
Then design the internal pages.
Then finalise the cover with the correct barcode placement.
Doing this in the right order saves time, avoids rework and helps make your book ready for publishing and sale.
