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ISBN FAQ

Everything you need to know about obtaining an ISBN!

ISBN FAQ

What is an ISBN?

ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It is a 10 or 13 digit unique number that identifies the publisher, the country of origin and the book title. Booksellers and libraries use these numbers when locating and ordering books.

Does PrestoPhoto sell ISBNs?

At this time we are not able to sell ISBNs.

I have an ISBN. How do I put it on the back cover of my book?

In the Design Cover step, there is a space for you to insert your ISBN. Insert your ISBN and the bar code will automatically generate on the back cover.

Where can I obtain an ISBN?

Each country has their own ISBN agency. Here is a short list:

Bowker, U.S. ISBN Agency

Nielsen, UK ISBN Agency

German ISBN Agency

Canadian ISBN Agency

French ISBN Agency

Italian ISBN Agency

Do I need an ISBN to sell my book on PrestoPhoto?

No, you are not required to have an ISBN to sell your book on PrestoPhoto.

Do I need an ISBN to sell my book outside of PrestoPhoto?

Not necessarily. The advent of self-publishing has made it easier for authors to sell books on their own without the use a publisher or even an ISBN number. If you are planning on selling your book online exclusively, you can forgo the ISBN. Anyone can set up a seller's account on Amazon, create a listing and fulfill the orders themselves.