Table of Contents[hide]
- What Is an ISBN?
- Why Print and eBook Need Different ISBNs
- ISBN for Print and eBook Difference – Explained
- 1. ISBN Required for PRINT BOOKS (PAPERBACK & HARDCOVER).
- 2. ISBN Is Not Needed for eBooks.
- Print vs eBook ISBN – Key Differences
- Why You Can’t Use One ISBN for Both Print and eBooks
- 1. Differing Formats and Different Metadata
- 2. Different Distribution Channels
- 3. Retail Prices Are Different
- 4. Inventory Management Systems Cannot Combine Formats
- Do All eBook Formats Need Separate ISBNs?
- Common Questions Authors Have
- Conclusion
If you’re publishing a book for the first time, one of the biggest questions you might have is the difference between ISBN for print and eBook. Most new authors believe they can use one ISBN for both formats. However, that is not the case.
The format chosen by an author affects the way a book is tracked, sold and cataloged in the publishing world. Therefore, an ISBN is different for each version.
This article will help answer:
1. The reasons for requiring an ISBN for both print and electronic.
2. How to understand the ISBN for each format.
3. The requirements for an ISBN for print vs electronic.
4. When a print and an electronic version can share the same ISBN -- and the reason why it generally can't.
5. The most common errors made by authors.
Let us simplify and provide a practical outline for the above items.
What Is an ISBN?
The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) identifies books in the global publishing system through a unique number assigned to them.
Store owners, libraries, online retailers, and distributors are tasked with properly identifying your books, so having an ISBN is critical.
The ISBN will contain the following information:
-> Edition
-> Format
-> Publisher
-> Country
-> Book Metadata
Because of this reason, each format requires its own ISBN.
Why Print and eBook Need Different ISBNs
The difference between a printed and an eBook ISBN is based upon one simple rule in publishing:
A book's format is a different product. All three formats of the same book (Paperback, Hardcover and eBook) are sold as separate products at retail.
As a result, since the book's format will have different characteristics, cost, distribution method and reading experience, it will require an ISBN.
ISBN for Print and eBook Difference – Explained
Format Interpretation for Further Understanding:
1. ISBN Required for PRINT BOOKS (PAPERBACK & HARDCOVER).
Print books must have their own unique ISBN:
-> Print books are a tangible product.
-> Print books have a definite format (e.g., size, type of cover, type of paper).
-> Print books are sold in brick & mortar stores.
-> Books will have the ISBN used in retail store inventory systems to track print books.
Example:
Paperbacks = 1 ISBN / Hardcovers = 1 ISBN.
Both editions can all have the same content but must have different ISBNs due to format differences.
2. ISBN Is Not Needed for eBooks.
eBooks are created as digitized files, and this file can be made available through various online platforms.
Should you assign an ISBN to an eBook?
- Yes, if you are distributing your eBook extensively.
- Most publishers and authors assign a separate ISBN to each eBook platform.
Why do you need to assign an ISBN to your eBook?
Tracking the sales of individual eBooks.
-> If a store like Google Play Books or an Apple Store wants to sell your eBook, they require an ISBN.
-> If you do not provide an ISBN to your digital file, the library will not be able to catalogue your eBook.
-> Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) does not require ISBN due to the availability of the ASINs assigned by Amazon for Kindle editions.
However, if you want to sell and distribute your eBook outside of Amazon, you will need an ISBN.
Print vs eBook ISBN – Key Differences
Here is a simple comparison that clearly highlights the print vs eBook ISBN difference:
The print book is a physical product, while an eBook is a digital file. Even though both types of products are the same type of content, they are each considered separate products, and each requires its own ISBN to identify them.
Why You Can’t Use One ISBN for Both Print and eBooks
Many authors have asked if they can use the same ISBN for their paperback book and their eBook. The answer is no; the following describes why.
1. Differing Formats and Different Metadata
A paperback book contains information regarding page counts, dimensions and binding types. An eBook has no physical characteristics.
2. Different Distribution Channels
Print books are distributed through book retailers, libraries, and wholesalers. eBooks are distributed through Amazon Kindle, Google Play, Kobo, and Apple Books. Each one of these channels requires its own unique tracking.
3. Retail Prices Are Different
The price of a paperback is not necessarily equal to the price of an eBook. As a result, cataloging information for the two products is entered differently.
4. Inventory Management Systems Cannot Combine Formats
A bookstore cannot track the sale of a paperback book using an eBook ISBN.
These reasons, in conjunction with the fact that the ISBN must be a unique identifier for each product (book) in the marketplace, are why an ISBN for a paperback cannot be used for an eBook.
Do All eBook Formats Need Separate ISBNs?
Typically, it is suggested that you have one ISBN Number for each digital format that you use.
For example:
-> EPUB = 1 ISBN Number
-> PDF = 1 ISBN Number
-> MOBI = only on Kindle most of the time, however Kindle has ASIN instead of ISBN.
Most authors assign their Primary eBook Format (EPUB) with one ISBN. On the other hand, larger publishers use multiple ISBN Numbers for each of their digital file types.
Common Questions Authors Have
1. What if the content is exactly the same?
You will need different ISBN Numbers for eBooks because the distribution and format differ, which means they are not the same item.
2. Can I avoid an ISBN for eBook?
Yes, however if you publish only Amazon KDP (which uses ASIN), you won’t need an ISBN Number. However, if you publish multiple platforms, you will need an ISBN Number.
3. Is ISBN free in India?
Indian authors can receive ISBN Numbers for free through the official agency.
4. Do print and eBook versions appear separately online?
Yes, each ISBN Number makes a separate listing, therefore eBooks and Print books will be listed as separate listings.
Conclusion
Having an understanding of the difference between ISBN for eBooks and print will allow authors to publish their books professionally and avoid common mistakes when publishing on eBook publishers. Your eBook edition and print edition are also 2 different types of products in the publishing industry, hence they need different ISBN numbers.