If you plan to sell your magazine then you must have a UniversalProduct Code! The UPC is better known as a barcode and is mandatory in order to get a distributor for your magazine. The UPC began with the supermarket industry, which studied the application and economics of using a standard and universal product number to distinctively designate each item as it passed through various distribution channels—from manufacturer to wholesaler/distributor to retailer. They also developed an optically scannable bar code symbol to represent the numbers and identify the item at the checkout for automatic look-up of the price.

What most start-up magazine publishers fail to realize is that obtaining a barcode is a two-part process. In addition, barcodes must be properly coded with the correct “ad-on-codes.” As the publisher, you are ultimately responsible for the accurate coding of your barcode. If the ad-on-codes are done improperly, it could cost you thousands of dollars! The Magazine Barcode Brief is designed to facilitate the use of the Universal Product Code and its symbol on magazines and related publication products distributed through wholesale distributors and sold at scanning retail locations in the United States and Canada. It thoroughly explains the application process so that you can obtain your UPC in the quickest manner possible and provides you with detailed instructions on proper barcode placement, tolerances, and ad-on-codes. In addition, it also includes a BIPAD application form so you can get a jump-start on the process.