What does an ISBN identify?
An ISBN identifies a particular publication, edition and product form. It helps booksellers and libraries distinguish titles, but it is not copyright registration or permission to publish. Using a design studio does not automatically make that studio the publisher.
Agree whose name will appear as publisher and who will manage the publication records. For the wider production process, see my guide to independent publishing.
Which editions need separate numbers?
Different product forms, such as paperback, hardcover and separately distributed digital formats, require separate identification under ISBN rules. An unchanged reprint does not automatically require a new number. Check the rules again if the content or product form changes.
Keep a simple record matching each number to its edition and language. Supply that record with the manuscript so that the print ISBN is not mistakenly presented as the ebook's identifier.
Where should the number appear?
The printed book should display its ISBN in the appropriate publication information and cover positions. EAN-13 is the barcode representation used for scanning. Its digits must match the edition's ISBN.
Allow space for the barcode before completing the cover. Check the cover, publication credits and distribution data against the same approved record.
How I work on these publications. Book typesetting starts at PLN 200 net per publishing unit, approximately 40,000 characters including spaces for continuous prose. I allow for publication credits and edition identification in the layout. I can also obtain the ISBN and dispatch the legal deposit copies for you; the cost of this service is agreed individually.
How does Polish legal deposit work?
For an ordinary printed book covered by the Polish system, a run of up to 100 copies requires two deposit copies in total, one each for the National Library and Jagiellonian Library. Above 100, the total is 17: two for each of those libraries and one for each of 13 other entitled libraries.
The National Library's copies are due within 5 days of production being completed; the other libraries' copies within 14 days. The publisher organises the separate deliveries. Plan for those copies and retain dispatch records.
What belongs on the publication information page?
Edition details. Check the title, author names, publisher, place and year of publication, and relevant ISBN. Use one approved list to avoid differences between the cover and the internal pages.
Credits and acknowledgements. Record the actual contributions of editors, translators, designers and image providers. Include any required image credits and funding acknowledgements using the wording supplied by the responsible parties.
Who handles the administration?
Agree who registers the publisher, assigns identifiers, approves the credits and handles deposit copies. If I typeset your book, I can take over the ISBN and legal deposit formalities. My service for authors can be scoped around your needs; see the portfolio for publication work.
Keep the approved edition details with the production records. A single coordinator can ensure that the cover, internal pages and distribution information all use the same data.
Frequently asked questions
No, the National Library allocates ISBNs free of charge. I can handle the formalities for you at an individually agreed cost.
No, it needs separate identification if it participates in the ISBN system. Check the treatment of each distributed digital format.
Yes, participation in Poland's ISBN system is voluntary. Distribution requirements and legal obligations still need separate consideration.
For the ordinary printed-book case described above, the total is 2 for runs up to 100 and 17 for larger runs. Other publication types need their own check.