Understanding ISBNs
Do I Need an ISBN for My Book?
At PufferPrint, one of the more common questions we get from first-time authors is, “Do I need an ISBN for my book?”
Typically our answer is, “Yes, we strongly recommend you have an ISBN for your book”. However, there are some instances where having an ISBN isn’t really necessary. Let’s break it down…
What Is an ISBN?
An ISBN, or International Standard Book Number, is a unique identifier for books and other publications. It helps online retailers, bookstores, libraries, and distributors track and manage inventory.
Each ISBN is tied to a specific edition and format of a book, making it easier to distinguish between different versions of a book.
Do You Need an ISBN?
Whether you need an ISBN depends on your distribution goals. If you plan to sell your book through traditional retail channels like bookstores, libraries, or online retailers such as Amazon, an ISBN is essential. It’s how these platforms categorize and stock your book. However, if you’re only selling your book directly, say at events or through your own website, you might not need an ISBN.
How to Get an ISBN
In the U.S., ISBNs are issued by Bowker. You can purchase them individually or in blocks if you plan to publish multiple books. Each format of your book (hardcover, paperback, eBook) requires its own ISBN.
How Much Does an ISBN Cost?
The cost of an ISBN depends on how many your purchasing. If you only buy a single ISBN from Bowker it will cost you $125, but if you buy 10 they are $29.50 per ISBN and if you buy 1,500 you’ll pay just $1.50 per ISBN.
| No. of ISBNs | Price | Cost per ISBN |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $125 | $125.00 per ISBN |
| 10 | $295 | $29.50 per ISBN |
| 100 | $575 | $5.75 per ISBN |
| 1,000 | $1,500 | $1.50 per ISBN |
*Bowker pricing as of 2/25/2026
Can PufferPrint Provide me with an ISBN?
Yes, PufferPrint can provide you with an ISBN for $50. Just reach out to your PufferPrint Print Specialist and let them know you would like to have an ISBN assigned to your book.
Keep in mind that if PufferPrint assigns an ISBN to your book it technically makes us your publisher. Because we purchased the ISBN from Bowker on your behalf PufferPrint will be listed as the publisher in the official Bowker database.
Just because we’re listed as the publisher doesn’t grant us any additional rights to your content or royalties from your sales, but if you list your book for sale with online retailers they may pull data from the Bowker database to populate the product listing page.
If you would like yourself or your company to be listed as the publisher in the Bowker database, you should purchase your own ISBN from Bowker. You’re always welcome to provide us with your own ISBN and barcode, and we’ll include it in your print files.
Using Your ISBN
Once you have an ISBN, add it to the copyright page of your book and create a barcode for the back cover. There are several online tools that can convert your ISBN into a barcode. We even have one of our own: Free ISBN Barcode Generator
Should I buy my barcode from Bowker?
While Bowker is the official source for ISBNs there is really no need to purchase a barcode there. Once you have your ISBN just use one of the free online barcode tools to generate your barcode (and save yourself $25).
ISBNs for Different Formats of Your Book
If you plan on publishing your book in a different medium – e.g. print vs. eBook vs. audiobook – you’ll need a unique ISBN for each medium. And the same is true for different bindings or constructions – e.g. hardcover vs. softcover vs. board book.
This is because the ISBN is associated with the product rather than the title (a hardcover book is a different product or SKU than a softcover version of the same book).
ISBNs for Authors Outside of the USA
Every country or geographic region has its own official ISBN agency. In the United States, Bowker is the official source for purchasing ISBNs.
If your book’s primary market is outside the U.S., be sure to check the ISBN requirements for that specific country. You’ll need to obtain your ISBN from the agency that serves the region where your publishing business is based or where your book will be primarily distributed.
If you’re ready to start printing, then grab your free quote!
