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Add an ISBN to your IngramSpark book

IngramSpark distributes to 40,000+ bookstores and libraries worldwide — but only if your book has its own ISBN, NOT Amazon KDP's free one. KDP-issued ISBNs are locked to KDP distribution; using IngramSpark requires a separately purchased ISBN.

Generate

Bowker (US), Nielsen (UK), and other national agencies sell ISBNs in single units or 10-packs. Each ISBN identifies one specific format (paperback, hardcover, audiobook, large-print) of one specific edition.

Step by step

1. 1

   Buy ISBNs from your country's agency

   Bowker (myidentifiers.com), Nielsen UK, ISBN Canada. Single ISBN ~$125 USD; 10-pack ~$295.

2. 2

   Register your title in Bowker (or equivalent)

   Assign your ISBN to the title metadata: author, publisher (your imprint), publication date, format.

3. 3

   Create the title in IngramSpark

   ingramspark.com > Title Setup > paste your ISBN. IngramSpark cross-references with Bowker.

4. 4

   Generate back-cover barcode

   Use the ISBN generator above. Download SVG (Pro plan) for vector cover integration.

5. 5

   Place in IngramSpark cover template

   Download the template from IngramSpark, position the barcode in the bottom-right of back cover at the specified dimensions.

Gotchas

• Each format = separate ISBN. Hardcover + paperback + audiobook = 3 ISBNs for one book.
• Once registered, ISBN metadata is hard to change. Lock in publisher name carefully — it appears in every catalog.
• If you also publish through KDP with KDP's free ISBN AND through IngramSpark with your own, the two are listed as separate books in catalog systems. Reviews don't merge.

FAQ

Related

• ISBN generator — standalone generator without IngramSpark steps.
• All IngramSpark barcode guides
• All platforms