ISBNs & Barcodes
What is an ISBN?
The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a 13-digit number that uniquely identifies books and book-like products.
Single ISBN
Bethany Press is an authorized ISBN reseller of the United States ISBN Agency. Our ISBN service includes registration of a single ISBN in your name (why this is important) and set-up in the Books in Print Database.
Need more than one ISBN? A block of 10 or more ISBNs is the most cost effective route.
Bar codes
Our cover design services include creation of an industry standard bar code (Bookland EAN/ISBN-13) for your book. Or, you can purchase just a bar code from Believers Press.
Single ISBN + Bar code
Buy a Single ISBN and bar code together and save!
Barcode Stickering
Frequently Asked Questions about ISBNs
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, allowing for
more efficient marketing of products by booksellers, libraries, universities, wholesalers and distributors.
Who can assign ISBNs to a publisher?
There are over 160 ISBN Agencies worldwide, and each ISBN Agency is 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 supplying
an address in the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico and its database establishes the publisher of record associated with each
prefix.
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 back list or forthcoming titles. Each format or binding must have a separate ISBN
(i.e. hardcover, paperbound, VHS video, laserdisc, e-book format, etc). 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.
