How to Purchase ISBNs

INscribe can no longer assign ISBNs! For more information on BISG's Best Practices for Identifying Digital Content.

Buying Options

You can purchase the ISBNs directly from Bowker or another company. Bowker offers ISBNs in the amount of 1, 10, 100, or 1000. Visit their website here for more information and to sign up for your own account.

Bowker will allow INscribe to set up a publisher account on your behalf through which we can purchase ISBNs directly. We add a 10% surcharge based on Bowker's fees. It will be added to your monthly invoicing. If you would like INscribe to control the purchase and assignment of your ISBNs through Bowker, please place a help desk ticket and ask for assistance. 

Benefits to ISBNs

INscribe sends metadata back to Bowker, where it is associated with your purchased ISBN. This increases your searchability at libraries and other retailer markets. Any manual updates made to title information through MyIdentifyers will block updated information. We highly recommend that you DO NOT make manual updates to your title information at Bowker.