Publishing a book involves many important steps, from editing and formatting to choosing the right paper and binding. One of the key decisions for authors and publishers—especially those planning to sell or distribute their books commercially—is obtaining an ISBN.
But what exactly is an ISBN, and how do you get one?
What Is an ISBN?
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It is a unique numeric identifier assigned to a specific book or publication.
An ISBN identifies details such as the title, edition, publisher or registrant, and format of a publication. A different ISBN may be required for different editions or formats of the same book. For example, a hardcover edition and a paperback edition would generally have separate ISBNs.
Think of an ISBN as an identification number for your book. It can help booksellers, distributors, libraries, retailers, and other organizations identify and manage a specific publication. ISBNs can be used in connection with book listings, sales records, inventory systems, and ordering.
How Do You Get an ISBN in Canada?
In Canada, ISBNs are provided through Library and Archives Canada. Canadian publishers and eligible self-publishers can obtain ISBNs through the ISBN Canada system.
If you are a Canadian self-publisher, you can apply for an ISBN through the official Canadian ISBN service.
How Do You Get an ISBN in the United States?
In the United States, ISBNs are assigned through Bowker, the official ISBN agency for the U.S. ISBNs can be purchased individually or in multiple quantities, depending on your publishing needs.
Do I Need an ISBN to Print My Book?
Not necessarily. You can have a book printed without an ISBN.
However, if you plan to distribute or sell your book through bookstores, retailers, distributors, libraries, or other commercial channels, an ISBN may be an important part of your publishing process.
Your specific ISBN requirements will depend on how and where you plan to distribute your book.
Can Sure Print & Design Provide an ISBN?
Sure Print & Design does not provide or issue ISBN numbers. Authors and publishers are responsible for obtaining an ISBN through the appropriate ISBN agency for their country.
However, once you have obtained your ISBN, we can help with the next step.
Need an ISBN Barcode for Your Cover?
If you provide us with your ISBN, we can generate an ISBN barcode from the number and place it onto your cover artwork as a graphic-related service when purchased.
Have your ISBN ready before preparing your final cover artwork, particularly if you plan to include the ISBN barcode on the back cover. If you are designing your own cover, we can also provide the generated barcode as a separate PDF file for you to place into your artwork.
At Sure Print & Design, we print books for self-publishers, authors, publishers, organizations, and businesses across Canada and North America. Once your ISBN is obtained, we can help you prepare the barcode and incorporate it into your printed book cover. Reach out today to get started!