Why Bowker’s Bar Code Service Makes Sense

Bowker offers a bar code graphics solution that is simple, easy-to-use and especially helpful for smaller publishers ... available anytime you need a digital bar code graphic image.

Self-Service. No waiting. You can create and download the bar codes you need any time of the day or night. Then just email your file to the art department, printer or other users.

No special software required. You don’t need to purchase, license, or maintain any software yourself. Anyone in your company can use the application.

Standard format and specifications. Standard EAN Bookland symbols and magnifications most commonly used in the industry.

Secure credit card transactions. SSL software deployed to protect your personal and credit card data.

Trusted source. Obtaining your bar codes from Bowker, the ISBN Agency in the US, you can be certain they meet the latest industry requirements. We can provide advice regarding price add-ons, formats, and other questions.

Before you Start ... What Information is Required to Generate a Bar Code?

  1. ISBN Number - Each unique book product must be assigned a separate ISBN number.
    This is a 10-digit number assigned by the ISBN Agency. If you do not already have a prefix and a block of ISBN numbers, start here.
  2. Retail or List Price Information - To the right of the large bar code is a smaller bar code which contains the 5-digit price information.
    This symbol indicates either the retail price or that "no pricing information" (90000) is encoded.
  3. Size of the symbol - The symbol occupies a space 2.00" x 1.25". This is the standard size used in most circumstances.
  4. Format - The files are issued in TIFF format.