Barcode - but not ISBN

[wheniwokeup]

Hi, I created a book cover using the new cover wizard. Lulu added a barcode to it automatically, even though I don't want to add an ISBN.

I read the FAQ and see this: "**The barcodes added to Publisher Grade and Standard books are for the manufacturing process."

What does that mean? Is this an ISBN that was added to my book? I don't want Lulu to be listed as the publisher of this book, so Id prefer not to have a lulu assigned ISBN. What is this barcode for?

My project id is 7948223, you can see the cover I created there. Can I remove that barcode?
Thank you!
Andy

[Belinda D'Alessandro]

As the FAQ say, it's a barcode for manufacturing process. It's just a barcode (to help match the cover to the interior) and not an ISBN.

No, it can't be removed from books published with publisher grade paper. Books published with publisher grade paper are not eligible for distribution packages or to have your own ISBN added during the publishing wizard, but you can add the ISBN to the interior of your book.

[wheniwokeup]

Hi, thank you so much for your reply.

I'm actually not using publisher grade paper. The book is a full color children's book, so I assume it will use standard paper. However, it is hardcover and thus not eligible for distribution. I do think I can still add an ISBN barcode at some point, I will just need to use the one-piece cover.

Anyway, thanks again, have a nice Thanksgiving.

[Belinda D'Alessandro]

Ah, okay. Standard paper is treated differently from publisher grade paper as publisher grade paper is used by a different printer from the ones using standard paper (there are multiple printers using standard paper).

If you're using standard paper (and you have to choose to use standard paper rather than publisher grade paper at the beginning of the wizard) and upload a 1 piece PDF cover and add your own ISBN barcode to that, then the barcode that would otherwise be added if you'd used the Lulu Studio or the 2 piece cover wizard won't be added.

[coolcat]

To the original poster -
"**The barcodes added to Publisher Grade and Standard books are for the manufacturing process."
This is misleading crap. As soon as Lulu or any other printer puts that code on your book, they will forever be listed as the publisher. Read the terms and conditions. It has nothing to do with the manufacturing process. We've all had books printed by Lulu in years past with no barcode. It has everything to do with the publishing-distribution rights. Besides, if we as writers want to print a book for ourselves, to keep, give away or sell through our own channels, why does it need a n ISBN or even a barcode for that matter? I have sold some of the books I've created in area stores. None - let me repeat, NONE of those stores ever refused to sell my book because it didn't have a barcode. These stores have other things in their stock, like gifts, jewelry, musical instruments, that do not have an ISBN or a barcode, that they have no trouble selling. Some items even have a handwritten price tag.
Both the ISBN and bar code is unnecessary, unless you specifically want your printer, be it Lulu or whoever, to also be your publisher. All of you "power posters" should know better. As writers, we should all look for a printer who will print our books the way we want them printed.

[Elmore Hammes]

Clarence,

You are mistaken regarding publisher grade paper and the bar code.

The bar code - NOT ISBN CODE - that is placed on publisher grade books is a scan code used to match the cover and the interior by the publisher grade printer. The publisher grade printer is a different physical printer than the other books, and has different matching/printing processes in place. This code means NOTHING to any other vendor or distribution system. Publisher grade books are not registered with Ingrams or Books in Print or anywhere else - they are not eligible to be added to any Lulu distribution plan.

You have posted your views on the process in several threads already. Please do not post the same information in additional threads, as duplicate posting is against the Lulu forums policies.

There are several methods you can publish through Lulu without any additional information being added to the book or the book being registered anywhere in Lulu's name. Many of those options would necessitate loading a one-piece PDF cover. But the options do exist.

[mroberts123]

I oked an ISBN but never picked a dist. package. They assigned me a number, does that mean I have a package? If not can i delete my book and start over?

[Greg Banks (BDDesign Online)]

You have to pay for a distribution package. The ISBN assignment doesn't mean you have distribution, just that the book is now "distribution ready." You can in fact delete the book and start over again.

[KJK]

I received an ISBN number from Lulu but I did not download it and now I need to get it so I can put it on the cover. How do I find  it again ? So I can download it ,to put on the cover?  

[Ken Anderson]

The ISBN is assigned to a project. So if you revise the project you will find it there in the project details. By the way you posted to a fairly old thread - we prefer folks to start a new thread with a new question.