Are barcodes necessary for self-published books? The answer for authors who are using ebook services such as Amazon KDP, iTunes Connect, and Nook Press, is “no“. If you have an ebook cover for your book, there is no need to place a barcode on it. Barcodes are only intended for people who sell paperback or hardcover books, so the people at the checkout counter or distribution center can scan them.

Even if you use a service like CreateSpace or Lightning Source to print your books, you still don’t need to purchase barcodes. Both companies will provide a barcode for free (based on the ISBN you use) and apply it to the rear cover during the production process. Note that your cover designer may need to create a small white rectangular box for the barcode to appear in.

When barcodes are necessary for self-published books

Now, if you are planning to do a large print run through an offset printer and ship the lot to Barnes & Noble, then yes, you will need to apply a barcode to the back of every book. But frankly, if you are selling enough books to do consider a large run, you probably should have a publisher or professional printing firm handle those details, rather than taking the DIY route.

If you do want to try the DIY route, I use this free book barcode generator based on an ISBN I supply. It’s how I created the inset barcode for our popular book that explains what is C. diff. My designer vertically truncates it to fit the small space on the back of my book.

Bottom line: You probably don’t need to pay for barcodes. Don’t purchase one from Bowker, which exploits new authors with overpriced and often unnecessary services. If you plan a professional printing run in order to distribute books through a retailer, you will need to add barcodes … but it’s possible to get them for little or no money. Talk with an experienced book cover designer who should also be able to help you generate and place a barcode on the back of your books.