HOW TO GET A UPC BAR CODE FOR YOUR BOOK
All books use the Bookland/EAN bar code because it allows for the encoding of ISBNs. Almost all book retailers and wholesalers require the Bookland/EAN bar code somewhere on the back cover of a book, because this is what the retailer scans at the point of sale to identify the price and information from the bookseller's database. Like any other bar code, the computer then automatically reports the price to the cash register.
If you’re interested in learning the meaning of the numbers in a bar code, go to:
www.barcode-graphics.com/info_center/bookinfocontent.htm
For mass-market books, which are sold in drug stores, department stores, and other non-bookstore retailers, a UPC bar code will likely be required since these non-bookstore retailers are not properly equipped to scan the Bookland/EAN symbols (this isn't something you need to worry about if you're published by a POD or epublisher that doesn’t sell your book in such venues).
Bar codes can either be on a film master (a negative or positive piece of film), an EPS file (an electronic file that can be provided to printers/graphic designers, so that they can include the bar code within the cover design), or on pre-printed labels utilized when an item or packaging has already been printed or requires unique identification.
The publisher should take care of the bar code without requiring you to pay any fees. If you are using a POD publisher that provides bar code services as an à la carte service, never pay more than $25.
Prices vary by supplier. Accugraphix (www.bar-code.com), one of the larger companies that provide this service, sells a film master bar code for $24 (plus tax and shipping) and an EPS file for $29 (total).
Bar Code Graphics (www.barcode-graphics.com), another large provider of bar code services, charges $15 for either a film master or EPS bar code symbol. It also offers the option of creating your own bar codes (EPS only) online for $10 at www.createbarcodes.com.
Although you don't need to purchase a bar code by a vendor in your home state, a state-by-state list of Bookland/EAN bar code suppliers can be found at:
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