This guide explains how to generate ISBN and ISSN barcodes using Aspose.BarCode for .NET. It covers the installation process, barcode generation methods, customization options, and best practices for various use cases.

Introduction

This guide provides a step-by-step approach to generating ISBN (International Standard Book Number) and ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) barcodes using Aspose.BarCode for .NET. It includes complete C# code examples, customization options, and best practices for various use cases such as book publishing, magazine distribution, library acquisitions, and academic press.

What Are ISBN and ISSN Barcodes?

ISBN barcodes are used on books for global retail, library, and publishing workflows. They come in two formats: ISBN-10 (9 digits) and ISBN-13 (12 digits). ISSN is used for journals, magazines, and periodicals.

Quick Start (Minimal Example)

using Aspose.BarCode.Generation;
var generator = new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.ISBN, "123456789"); // ISBN-10
// Add-on (optional): generator.Parameters.Barcode.Supplement.SupplementData = "05";
generator.Save("book-isbn.png", BarCodeImageFormat.Png);

Prerequisites

  • Visual Studio 2019 or later
  • .NET 6.0+ or .NET Framework 4.6.2+
  • Aspose.BarCode for .NET (NuGet)
  • Basic C# knowledge
PM> Install-Package Aspose.BarCode

Step-by-Step Implementation

ISBN-10 Example:

using Aspose.BarCode.Generation;
BarcodeGenerator gen = new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.ISBN, "123456789");
gen.Save("book-isbn10.png", BarCodeImageFormat.Png);

ISBN-13 Example:

BarcodeGenerator gen = new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.ISBN13, "978123456789");
gen.Save("book-isbn13.png", BarCodeImageFormat.Png);

ISSN Example:

BarcodeGenerator gen = new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.ISSN, "1234567");
gen.Save("magazine-issn.png", BarCodeImageFormat.Png);

Adding Supplemental (Add-On) Codes

Supplemental codes can encode price or edition information.

// Add a 2-digit or 5-digit supplemental code
BarcodeGenerator gen = new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.ISBN, "123456789");
gen.Parameters.Barcode.Supplement.SupplementData = "05";
gen.Save("book-isbn-addon.png", BarCodeImageFormat.Png);

Customizing Barcode Appearance

  • Bar Height/Width: csgen.Parameters.Barcode.BarHeight.Pixels = 80; gen.Parameters.Barcode.XDimension.Pixels = 2;
  • Color/Background: csgen.Parameters.Barcode.BarColor = Color.Navy; gen.Parameters.Barcode.BackColor = Color.WhiteSmoke;
  • Caption: csgen.Parameters.CaptionBelow.Visible = true;

Supported Output Formats

  • PNG, JPEG, BMP – Print and digital assets
  • TIFF – High-res publishing
  • SVG, EMF – Vector/large format

Troubleshooting & Common Issues

  • Barcode not scanning?
    • Check digit length, valid numbers, add-on code length (2 or 5 digits only), contrast.
  • Add-on code not displaying?
    • Ensure SupplementData is a valid 2- or 5-digit string.
  • Wrong format for retail?
    • Use ISBN-13 for modern publishing, ISBN-10 for legacy.

FAQs

Q: Can I encode price or edition as an add-on? A: Yes—use 2- or 5-digit add-ons for supplemental data.

Q: Are these barcodes compatible with retail and library systems? A: Yes—output is standards compliant for publishing and retail scanning.

Use Cases and Applications

  • Book publishing and retail
  • Magazine and periodical distribution
  • Library acquisitions and tracking
  • Academic press and ISBN agencies

Best Practices: Quick Reference Table

TipDoDon’t
Code LengthISBN-10: 9, ISBN-13: 12, ISSN: 7Wrong or extra digits
Add-On Code2 or 5 digits onlyOther add-on lengths
Output FormatPNG/SVG for print/digitalLow-res JPG for covers
CaptionShow below for clarityHide on retail packaging

Conclusion

ISBN and ISSN barcodes are essential for book, magazine, and periodical publishing. Aspose.BarCode for .NET provides all you need for modern, standards-compliant barcode output. See the Aspose.BarCode API Reference for more publishing scenarios.

More in this category