ISSN Magazine Barcodes
We can make your magazine, newspaper or journal barcodes. International Standard Serial Numbers (ISSN’s) are the numbers allocated to all periodical publications such as magazines, newspapers or journals. They are 8 digits. We turn the ISSN number into your barcode.
Do you have an ISSN number already?
NO – You’ll need to get an ISSN number before we can provide you with the barcode images for it.
To get an ISSN number for a publication contact the ISSN International Centre. Then come back to us to order the ISSN barcode. There is no local agent to administer the International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) system in Hong Kong.
ISSN International Centre
45 rue de Turbigo
75003 Paris France
Tel : +33 1 44 88 22 20
Fax : +33 1 40 26 32 43
Home Page: https://www.issn.org
YES – If you already have an ISSN number, but you don’t have a barcode for it, then you can order the barcode images for it below.
NOTE: We have to make the ISSN barcode manually. It is not automated. Our processing times are 2-12 hours.
At the checkout page, you will be asked to enter your ISSN number into the ‘additional information’ section.
Example of EAN-13 Format:
This 13 digit barcode format can be used on all issues of your magazine (it doesn’t change from issue to issue), therefore you only need to buy 1 x ISSN Barcode Images.
VERSION ONE (more common): To turn an ISSN number into an EAN-13 format barcode = the 8 digit ISSN number (12345678 in the example above) is converted to a 13 digit number by adding a 977 to the beginning, taking away the check-digit, adding two numbers (00) to the end and recalculating the check-digit. The number is then created as an image which can easily be read by all barcode scanners and is essentially the same as other products with EAN-13 barcodes on them that go into stores.
In this case the same number would be printed on each issue of the magazine. An example of this format is above. NB: If you purchase ISSN Barcode Images from us, and give us your ISSN number, we will send you barcode images in this format (unless you request a different format, or tell us what issue number it is or what supplements you want).
VERSION TWO (less common): Again the 8 digit ISSN number is converted to a 13 digit number, however this time the ’00’ added on the end is changed various times to create a different EAN-13 image each time. In this case a separate barcode image would be created for each issue of the magazine.
Example of EAN-13+2 Format:
EAN-13+2 is the most common format of magazine barcode in the UK. It has 2 supplement digits at the end representing the issue number (“01” = Issue One):
To create an EAN13+2 barcode, first the ISSN is turned into an EAN-13 number (as per ‘version one’ above), and then an additional 2-digit supplement code is added to the end creating a 15 digit (EAN-13+2) number. The supplement changes for each issue and can be done on a monthly (01-12) or weekly (01-52) basis (or any other way you wish). The barcodes can be re-used the following year (e.g. if the “01” supplement represents the January Issue, this barcode can be re-used the following year for the next January Issue, as long as the previous year’s January Issue is no longer for sale).
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 tend more towards the 13 digit formats (options 1 and 2). It is a good idea to check the stores you are hoping to stock your magazine to establish which format is the most common. If you choose to go with the EAN-13 format then you only need to buy ISSN Barcode Images once (because the same barcode can be used across all issues of your magazine/periodical). If you choose to go with the EAN-13+2 format then this gets a bit more expensive (as you need to buy ISSN Barcode Images for each issue of the magazine), however you can re-use the barcodes the following year.
When will I receive my ISSN Barcode Images?
We process these orders manually based on your specifications. This means that it can take between 2 and 12 hours to process these orders. If you want an accurate idea of when you will receive an order feel free to give us a call.
I don’t have an ISSN Number yet, how do I get one?
International Standard Serial Numbers (ISSN’s) are the numbers allocated to all periodical publications such as magazines or journals. These numbers are applied for through an international organisation that allocates all ISSN numbers. If you already have an ISSN number, then you can purchase the barcode images for this here. 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.
There is no local agent to administer the International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) system in Hong Kong. If you wish to join the system for your newspapers and periodicals, please contact the ISSN International Centre as follows :
ISSN International Centre
45 rue de Turbigo
75003 Paris France
Tel : +33 1 44 88 22 20
Fax : +33 1 40 26 32 43
Home Page: https://www.issn.org
Registration
If you want to register your ISSN Barcode Number you can 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 barcode registration for each issue number, you just need to buy it once (for your magazine/periodical as a whole). We will then provide you with in instructions for how to register the EAN-13 barcode number.