ISSN Number for Serial Publications
Do you need an ISSN number and barcode for your magazines, newspapers, and other serial publications?
 | SA Barcodes offers a high-quality design service for ISSN numbers. Please kindly send us an e-mail in order for us to reply with details on how to obtain the 8-digit ISSN code from the ISSN Centre in Paris, France and once you have received the code, our design team can convert your ISSN number into a high-quality digital barcodes, ready for printing. |
ISSN stands for International Standard Serial Number, and is a unique number assigned to a publication such as a magazine, newspaper, periodical, or other recurring publication. It was created in the early 1970s by the International Organization for Standardization and has been used ever since. An ISSN number contains of 8 digits which are assigned to a particular serial publication. Note also that the issue number also appears on the barcode – so depending on your intended retailer’s system you may need to have a barcode created for each issue of your publication, although not all retailers require this. However if you are planning on placing your publication into numerous retailers it would be advisable to obtain your ISSN number and magazine barcode before hand so that there are no delays in placing your publication in stores. You can apply for your ISSN umber three months before before release, you will be provided your ISSN number but it will only be formally registered once the first copy of the publication can be provided to the ISSN centre or proof thereof. If the publication is cancelled before being released you will need to notify the ISSN centre and they will disgard of the IISN number assigned to that publication as they may not be reused. This is also to ensure that all national libraries will be able to look your publications up online and be able to request copies of your publications if needed. ISSN numbers and barcodes are also extensively used in libraries, they use these numbers to identify titles, order and verify serial publications as well as to claim any missing issues. As is the purpose of all barcodes the purpose of the ISSN is to streamline procedures, minimize human error, and essentially making all systems fast and efficient. You may be not having your magazine or newspaper physically printed but will be releasing it as electronic media, but please be aware that you will still be required to have an ISSN number for each of your publications. The ISSN number is required to be displayed on the home page or main menu of your online publication. The same will apply if you are going to have your publications in print as well as online or even on a DVD each format will need to have its own unique ISSN number and it will be required to be be clearly displayed. SA Barcodes is one of the few companies in South Africa who offers a fast and efficient design service for ISSN numbers and assistance on how to register a magazine in South Africa. Please kindly use this website to apply for your ISSN number. If you have never registered for an ISSN before, you will need to apply for a number from the ISSN Centre, after which our design team will take over the process to convert it from a number to a digital barcode. Thereafter, we offer a lower rate for future barcodes depending on how frequently your publication comes out; be it weekly, monthly, or quarterly for example. The ISSN Centre will require you to fill in a brief application form, providing the necessary details of the publication. If you need help on how to complete the form, click here. You will need to pay 40 Euros for the registration fee and they will also need you to submit copies of the following pages (they need not be the final versions!) in PDF or Jpeg formats:
These files can be low-resolution or even photocopies of the initial mock-up of the publication. The final versions can be sent through after the issue has been printed. When having your ISSN barcodes printed ensure that the images are placed and printed on the front cover at the bottom, this applies to both magazines and newspapers. Make sure that there is enough space around the barcode in order for the scanner to not pick up interference when scanned at the point of sale. Detailed instructions on the application process are included with each purchase. Please feel free to contact us for an application form for a magazine barcode or a newspaper barcode or if you require any further information. | How to make a purchase (Card/EFT): You may purchase a single ISSN number design package (including barcode images) using your Credit/Debit card by clicking the “Buy Now” button below. This will take you to Payfast – our secure online payment provider. Payfast accepts a variety of payment options including credit card, debit card and UKash. Alternatively, if you would prefer to pay by EFT or would like to order more than one ISSN design, please deposit a total of R275.00 (per ISSN number required) into the bank account below (using your name as the reference) and please remember to send us proof of payment via fax – 086 663 8699 or email – info@sabarcodes.co.za.  Banking details for EFT payments: |