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ISBN

ISBN barcodes are based on the EAN symbology. The ISBN numbering system predates barcoding and was incorporated into the EAN system by the use of a "978" prefix.

From January 2007, ISBN numbers became 13 digits long, rather than the previous 10 digits.

The change was necessary so that the ISBN system have sufficient numbers available for future growth.

Previously, the ISBN number was always prefixed with the digits "978" when applying the number to an EAN barcode.

There will now be an added alternative ("979") prefix in order to expand the numbering system. This means that the full 13 digits must now be communicated.

The change also required that the 13-digit number should appear above the barcode.

International Standard Book Number Bar Codes ISBN-13 and ISBN-10

Previous Book Labeling - Before January 1, 2007

ISBN-10

The ISBN-10 is printed in human-readable form above the EAN-13 bar code.

The EAN-13 is displayed below (and encoded within) the bar code

Printing only the ISBN-10 above the bar code is appropriate for titles published before January 1, 2007.

Current Book Labeling - After January 1, 2007

ISBN-13

The ISBN-13 is printed in human-readable form above the EAN-13 bar code.

There is no change to the EAN-13 bar code itself and the EAN-13 is still displayed below (and encoded within) it.

Printing only the ISBN-13 above the bar code is recommended for titles published after January 1, 2007.

 

During the transition period, a third format was used - mainly in North America: ISBN Dual

Dual Numbering - Printing Both ISBN-10 and ISBN-13 Above Bar Code

ISBN Dual

If they chose, publishers could display both the ISBN-10 and the ISBN-13 above the bar code during the transition to ISBN-13. While printing only the ISBN-13 above the bar is recommended after January 2007, publishers were allowed to continue dual numbering until the marketplace fully completed the transition to ISBN-13.

Dual numbering allows trading partners to identify books using both an ISBN-10 and an ISBN-13.

Dual numbering is valid only for ISBN-13s that begin with '978'.

There is no dual numbering for ISBNs that begin with '979'.

When displaying dual ISBNs above the bar code, publishers may display the ISBNs in the sequence they prefer (i.e., ISBN-13 above ISBN-10 - as shown in the example above - or ISBN-10 above ISBN-13 - not shown).

If dual numbering is used above the bar code, it should also be used everywhere else the book's identifier is referenced (i.e., the copyright page, catalogues, order forms, etc.).

The 5-Digit Addon Code

In some countries, a 5-digit addon code is placed to the right of the main code, to indicate the price of the publication. The first digit indicates the currency as follows:

5 US $
6 Canadian $
4 New Zealand $
3 Australian $
0&1 British Pounds

The last 4 digits represent the price in cents/pence.

The ISBN image above represents a price of US$ 29.95.

There are also reserved 5-digit numbers for the following situations:

50000 NACS (National Association of College Stores) Trade
59999 Price of $100 or more
90000 NACS New
90000-98999 For internal purposes
99000-99999 Reserved for NACS
99990 NACS Used
99991 NACS Copies

 



Introduction

Bar Code Uses

Bar Code Structures

Getting a Good Scan

PostScript Imaging of Bar Codes

Quality Checking

UPC

EAN

ISBN

Code 128

Code 39

ITF (Interleaved 2 of 5 )

ISSN

GS1-Databar

Datamatrix

Glossary of Bar Code Terms

 

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