Learn how to place the ISBN number on the back of a book cover using Affinity Publisher.

If you want to publish a paperback or any other type of book, you will need an ISBN. This is a unique identifier for your book. If you want to be the publisher, you must purchase the number yourself. Otherwise, you can let KDP place one on the back of your book. If you choose this option, KDP will own the ISBN and will therefore be the publisher of the book. Although you retain the rights to your written work, you cannot publish your book with that particular ISBN anywhere other than with KDP.

Purchase the ISBN number

In the Netherlands, you can create an account at isbn.nl. However, you will first need a prefix number. This is a number used by publishers. To obtain one, you must register your publishing house with the Chamber of Commerce. You can use your own name or create a business name.

We recommend buying a package of ten ISBN numbers from ISBN.nl, as this is much cheaper than buying just one.

One number costs €109 excluding tax, whereas ten numbers cost €297 excluding tax. To publish an e-book, paperback and hardback version of a book, you will need at least three ISBNs.

Register the books

Registration of ISBNs is required, and this can be done at isbn.nl. A new ISBN number must be registered for each different version of the book. A new ISBN number is required for any changes you make to the text or the book, as it constitutes a new version.

If the text, layout and format of a book are all identical, then it is possible to use the same ISBN number, regardless of whether it was published via KDP, IngramSpark, Lulu or any other publishing platform.

Placing the ISBN number on the back cover

Create a vector file at barcodesvg.com.

Step 1. Go to the Barcode SVG website and enter the ISBN number. Then click 'Generate Barcode'.

Step 2. Download the file as a vector file. The file extension is .gif.

Step 3. Place the file in the Affinity Publisher file you have previously created.

Or: Go to the barcodegenerator of Pumbo.nl

Step 1. Download the barcode and drop it into a new Affinity Publisher file.

Step 2. Save the file.

Step 3. Drop the file into the book cover file you have previously created.

With the help of the KDP template (see my previous post), you can then adjust the picture to the recommended sizes.