Getting a Barcode

A barcode is simply a representation of numbers, done in lines. Instead of drawing a 1 to represent the number 1, a line of a certain thickness is drawn. So when you look at a barcode, ALL it is representing is a number. It's just that a machine can read the line combination much easier than it can read normal numbers like 1234567890.

So why do companies charge so much for barcodes? Because they can. If you already have an ISBN number for your book, you HAVE the unique number. Heck, you could draw your barcode by hand, with a ruler, making the lines the right thicknesses if you had a chart telling you how thick and thin each line should be. There's no reason to pay someone $25 to do that for you.

Here is a website that offers free barcodes, so you can see how it works.

Barcodes Inc

The format you need for books is called EAN-13. It's a style of barcode. Here is a software package that generates it for you -

Barcode Font Shop

Once you have that barcode done up in the proper format, matching the ISBN number you got for your book, you're ready to sell!

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