ISSN Magazine Barcodes

International Standard Serial Numbers are allocated to all periodical publications such as magazines, newspapers or journals. These numbers are applied for through an international organisation that allocates all ISSN numbers. You can purchase the barcode images below if you already have an ISSN number. If you require an ISSN Number, these can be applied for here.

Please watch our short video explainer on how ISSN barcodes work.

For more information, please see: ISSN Barcodes: A Publisher’s Guide.

  • ISSN Barcode Images

    Here, you can purchase ISSN Barcode images. Once the order has been received, these will be emailed to you in three formats (PDF, PNG and SVG).

    Select either a standard ISSN or an ISSN with an issue number from the drop-down options below.

    Please enter your 8-digit ISSN Number (with your issue number if you have selected that option) in the additional information section when filling out your details after proceeding to checkout.

    PLEASE NOTE: We do NOT provide the ISSN numbers. We ONLY provide the IMAGES for your ISSN numbers.

    If you don’t have an ISSN number yet, please apply for one from The British Library, and then come back here to purchase the barcode images.

    Quantity    Price per image
    1 £ 15.00
    2 £ 12.50 each
    3 £ 10.00 each
    4 + £ 8.00 each
    10 + £ 6.00 each
    20 + £ 4.00 each
    50 + £ 2.00 each

     

    Select options

How to Order:

Select either the Standard ISSN or the ISSN plus issue number from the drop-down option. At checkout, there is a field for you to add your ISSN number details. Please include the issue number information if you selected this option. We will use your ISSN number to create barcode images and email them to you (in 3 formats: PDF, PNG and SVG). We will send your barcode images to you in EAN-13 format (13-digit format) unless you request EAN-13+2 format (15-digit format) when you check out (if you request EAN-13+2 format, please also specify what 2-digit supplement you need – e.g. “02 for issue 02”).

Difference between EAN-13 and EAN-13+2 format: EAN-13 magazine barcodes use the same 13-digit barcode on all magazine issues. EAN-13+2 magazine barcodes have an extra 2-digit supplement to indicate the issue number (e.g. “01” indicates issue 1). The barcode changes for each issue – e.g. a quarterly magazine would publish four issues yearly. If they wanted to use EAN-13+2 format barcodes, they needed 4 (with supplements 01, 02, 03, 04). They could reuse those four barcodes the following year. If they wanted to use EAN-13 format barcodes, they could use the same 13-digit barcode on all four magazine issues.

ISSN barcode example ISSN 300x160 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Which Barcode Format should I get?

It is your choice. However, in the UK, the EAN-13+2 format is the most common. Other countries prefer the 13-digit formats (options 1 and 2). It is a good idea to check the stores where you hope to stock your magazine to establish the most common format. If you choose the EAN-13 format, you only need to buy ISSN Barcode Images once (because the same barcode can be used across your magazine/periodical). If you choose the EAN-13+2 format, this gets a bit more expensive (as you must buy ISSN Barcode Images for each magazine issue). However, you can reuse the barcodes the following year.

I don’t have an ISSN Number yet. How do I get one?

International Standard Serial Numbers (ISSNs) are allocated to all periodical publications, such as magazines or journals. These numbers are applied for through an international organisation that allocates all ISSN numbers. You can purchase the barcode images here if you already have an ISSN number. If you require an ISSN Number, these can be applied for here. Once you have your ISSN number, come back to this page to order the barcode images for your number.

Registration

To register your ISSN Barcode Number, purchase barcode registration here. This is an optional service. It will connect your ISSN barcode number with your magazine/periodical in major internet barcode/product databases. You don’t need to buy a barcode registration for each issue number. You need to buy it once (for your magazine/periodical). We will then provide you with instructions on how to register the EAN-13 barcode number.

Please see The Ultimate Guide to ISSN Barcodes for Publishers for more information.