Book barcodes

How do I create a KDP barcode?

Updated

Answer

Barcode Rocket makes a KDP barcode as a 2.0 x 1.2 in (50.8 x 30.5 mm) vector PDF, made for the barcode area of an Amazon KDP paperback cover. It has your ISBN bars, the price add-on (90000 when you give no price), a white box and a thin 0.5 pt black frame that overprints. It is free and needs no account.

Create a KDP barcode

Steps

  1. Click Books, then KDP layout.
  2. Type your ISBN.
  3. In Price on the cover, choose the currency and type the price, or leave it empty for 90000. KDP accepts both.
  4. Check PRINT CHECK. On the KDP layout it shows four green lines, one of them 0.5 pt overprint frame.
  5. Click Download vector PDF.
The groups Books, QR code, Custom templates and More types, with Books open and the type KDP layout selected. Each group and type has a small eye icon
Step 1: Click Books, then KDP layout.
The KDP layout fields: the ISBN 9781402894626, the currency USD and an empty price field that says none
Steps 2 and 3: The KDP layout with the price left empty.
PRINT CHECK for the KDP layout: the barcode with 90000, and the checks Vector PDF, 100% K only, 0.5 pt overprint frame and Scans as 9781402894626 + 90000
Step 4: PRINT CHECK on the KDP layout. Output: KDP layout, 2.0 x 1.2 in, KDP barcode area.
The amber Download vector PDF button
Step 5: Click Download vector PDF.

What is in the file

Requirements and common mistakes

Why make your own KDP barcode?

If you do not provide a barcode, KDP places one on your back cover at no extra cost (KDP Help: Barcodes). Your own file lets you decide what is in it, for example a price in the add-on, and the same cover can go to other printers. The thin frame overprints, so it never leaves a white gap on a colored cover.

Go deeper in the Guides

Book barcodesWhat is EAN-5, the price add-on?EAN-5 is the small second barcode next to a book's ISBN barcode. It holds the price: 51999 means US$19.99 and 90000 means no price. How Barcode Rocket encodes it.Print and PDFsWhere do I place the barcode on my cover?Place the Barcode Rocket PDF at 100% on the back cover, usually lower right, on white, at least 0.25 in (6.35 mm) inside the trim and spine, never in the bleed.Book barcodesHow do I make an IngramSpark barcode?Barcode Rocket makes an IngramSpark barcode as a 1.255 x 1.0 in vector PDF, plain ISBN bars with no price add-on, for the template's 1.75 x 1 in barcode area.Print and PDFsHow do I check a print-ready PDF?Check your cover PDF in Adobe Acrobat under Output Preview, Separations: the barcode must be complete on the Black plate and gone on the other inks.