Barcodes for Books & Magazines:
ISBNs and ISSNs identify your publication. Barcodes make them scannable in retail systems.
Understanding ISBN and ISSN barcodes helps you prepare books, magazines, and serials for retail and distribution. An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) identifies a single book edition worldwide. An ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) identifies ongoing serial publications such as magazines, journals, and periodicals. These numbers link your publication to its barcode, enabling stores and libraries to scan and track your titles easily.
When you assign an ISBN or ISSN, you create a unique identity for your publication. This prevents confusion with other books, even if the titles are similar. Retailers, wholesalers, and online bookstores rely on these identifiers for inventory, pricing, and sales reporting. Without a proper ISBN or ISSN barcode, your publication may be rejected by major sales channels.
At Barcode1, we help South African authors and publishers generate barcodes that integrate seamlessly with ISBN or ISSN numbers. We deliver print-ready files in multiple formats that designers and printers can use right away. You don’t need to understand every technical detail — we handle the barcode creation for you.
Barcodes improve the scanning experience at bookstores and online retailers. They support efficient stock control and reduce checkout errors. Choose the right barcode for your title and rest assured your publication meets global retail standards. If you’re unsure which code you need, contact our team. We guide you every step of the way.
How to get an ISBN in South Africa
- Confirm that your publication qualifies as a book or monograph
- Prepare basic details: title, author, format, and publisher name
- Apply through the National Library of South Africa ISBN Office. Contact them on
+27 12 401 9700
- Request a single ISBN or a block of ISBNs, depending on how many titles you plan to publish
- Receive your ISBN allocation directly from the ISBN Office
- Assign one ISBN per edition and format (paperback, hardcover, ebook)
- Convert the ISBN into an EAN-13 barcode for retail scanning
Order ISBN Barcodes for Books
How to get an ISSN in South Africa
- Confirm your publication is a serial (magazine, journal, newsletter, or ongoing series)
- Prepare sample content or a mock-up of the publication
- Apply via the South African ISSN centre linked to the ISSN International Centre
- Provide publication frequency, title, and publisher details
- Receive one ISSN per title, regardless of issue number
- Use the ISSN to generate a retail-ready barcode if selling through stores
Order ISSN Barcodes for Magazines
” Thanks you so much David!! It may be a while until the next book but I’ll know where to go 🙂 ” Christine A
“Thank you for your very speedy attention to my request for an ISSN image. It is greatly appreciated. I will most certainly remember your company in future.” Greg W