Barcodes for Magazines

If you need a barcode for your magazine (or journal or newspaper), first get an ISSN number or a BIPAD number (if you don’t have one already). Each country has its own ISSN Centre (often located in the National Library)

Here is a list of all the ISSN Centres worldwide.

Once your publication has its ISSN number, please come back to this website and purchase barcode images for your number below.

You can find out more about ISSN numbers on our magazine barcodes page.

Note – these barcode images are for worldwide use

NOTE: When ordering, please type your ISSN into the “additional information” part on the checkout page. If you require supplement digits at the end of your barcode (to represent the issue number), please let us know as well.

We will use your number to create your high-resolution barcode images. You will receive an email containing your barcode images in several different formats (.eps, .jpg, .pdf, .tif, & .bmp). You can then put your barcode onto your magazine (or periodical publication) and begin using it immediately.

Below are some of the magazines that we have made ISSN barcodes for:

What is an ISSN number?

ISSN stands for “International Standard Serial Number”. ISSN numbers identify periodical publications (e.g. magazines, journals, & newspapers). National ISSN offices issue the ISSN numbers. These are usually located at the National Library of each country. The International ISSN Centre (based in Paris) coordinates with all the ISSN offices around the world, and maintains a comprehensive database of every ISSN worldwide.

How is an ISSN number turned into a barcode?

An ISSN barcode image is a visual representation of the ISSN number – each part of your ISSN number is translated into a vertical black bar image. When the barcode image is scanned, your ISSN number will appear on a retailer’s checkout screen. After you give your magazine (or other periodical publication) to your retailer, they will scan your barcode & then enter the product details into their system. This will connect your barcode to your publication. After that, when your barcode is scanned, the product name & price will appear on the checkout screen.

Your ISSN number will be about eight digits long, e.g. 0123-4560. When it is encoded into a barcode, the barcode number will be 13 digits long, e.g. 9770123456008 (the ISSN number is preceded by the digit 977; the checksum digit is recalculated; a two-digit sequence variant, normally “00”  is added, and finally the checksum is recalculated and added. Sometimes supplement digits are added at the end of the barcode to represent the issue number.

See the two examples below:

• Magazine Barcode (jpg format)
• Magazine Barcode (eps format)

• Magazine Barcode (with supplements) (jpg format)
• Magazine Barcode (with supplements) (eps format)

If you need your barcode to have supplements at the end (like in the image above), just let us know when making your order. The supplement number (two digits long) changes to represent different issues of the magazine. For example, 01 to 12 for a monthly publication or 01 to 52 for a weekly publication.

“As a novice in this area it is great to see you providing this service as it was a bit daunting looking at having to join up an organisation with ongoing fees when all I required was one barcode from my ISSN number. Your website explains the process clearly as well as the options ”  Richard K

“Wonderful. You have been so helpful. Thank you!” Eleanor

“David, Thanks for a quick and excellent service. Greatly appreciated”  John F