So, you have written a book. You have poured your heart, soul and probably several mugs of strong tea into it. You are ready to get it printed, maybe even sell a few copies. But just before you click that final "submit" button, one pesky acronym pops up: ISBN.
Do you need one? What is it really for? And, more importantly, can you self-publish without an ISBN?
At Print My Book, we help a lot of first-time authors and self-publishers navigate this exact question. The answer is not a simple yes or no, but rather a thoughtful “it depends”. In this post, we will walk you through what an ISBN actually is, when you might not need one, and what to consider before deciding either way.
Let’s start at the beginning. ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It is a unique 13-digit identifier used by publishers, booksellers, libraries and distributors to track and manage books in the market.
Think of it as a digital fingerprint for your book. No two ISBNs are the same. Even if you publish the same book in different formats such as paperback and hardcover, each format will need its own ISBN.
An ISBN number does not tell anyone what your book is about, but it does store information about your book’s title, edition, publisher and physical specifications. When someone scans or searches that number, it links to those details in industry databases.
So far, so official. But what happens if you publish your book without one?
Yes, you absolutely can self-publish without an ISBN. There is no legal requirement in Ireland that says every printed book must have one. However, whether you should publish without an ISBN depends on your goals for the book.
In fact, many authors choose to skip it entirely, and for good reason. Here are a few situations where publishing without an ISBN might make perfect sense:
If you are printing a memoir for your family, a cookbook for your friends or a keepsake for a special event, you probably do not need an ISBN. These types of books are not intended for public sale, so there is little value in cataloguing them in industry systems.
Some self-published authors choose to sell their books exclusively through their own websites, at local markets or through word of mouth. In these cases, you are selling directly to your readers without involving retailers, libraries or wholesalers, so you might not need an ISBN.
Companies often print training manuals, branded workbooks or internal materials without an ISBN. These are not commercial publications and do not require the same tracking.
In short, if your book will not be sold in bookshops or listed through mainstream distributors, you can probably get by without an ISBN.
So why do some authors and small publishers choose not to use an ISBN? There are some pretty sensible reasons to opt out of publishing with one.
ISBNs are not free in Ireland. You need to apply for them through Nielsen’s ISBN Agency for Ireland, and while you can purchase a single ISBN number, the cost adds up quickly if you need more than one. For smaller projects or very limited print runs, that expense may not feel justified.
There is a bit of admin involved in getting and registering an ISBN. Skipping it means fewer forms, fewer details to submit, and one less thing to manage.
When you publish without an ISBN, especially for niche or experimental projects, you retain full control over updates and distribution. There is no need to inform outside systems if you make changes.
Of course, there are some downsides to skipping the ISBN. And for many self-published authors, these are worth serious consideration.
Without an ISBN, your book cannot be easily stocked in Irish bookshops, online retailers or libraries. If you want to sell through platforms like Amazon, Waterstones, or Eason, you will usually need an ISBN number.
Books without ISBNs will not appear in catalogues or databases that readers, reviewers, schools or booksellers search when they are looking for titles. That can make your book harder to find and purchase.
Let’s be honest, having an ISBN number can add a touch of legitimacy. It signals that your book is a serious publication, which can influence how readers, media and even fellow authors perceive your work.
If your book does not have an ISBN, it will not be listed in the systems used by the Irish book trade, such as Nielsen BookData. That can make it invisible to much of the publishing world, even if it is brilliant.
This all comes down to one question: what are you planning to do with your book?
You Probably Don’t Need an ISBN If:
You Probably Should Get an ISBN If:
At the end of the day, the decision should support your publishing goals, not complicate them. If your book is mainly for friends, fans or a niche community, no ISBN might be perfectly fine. If you want to reach a wider audience and be taken seriously in the market, an ISBN helps open those doors.
If you decide to go the ISBN route, the process is fairly straightforward.
In Ireland, ISBNs are issued by Nielsen ISBN Agency for Ireland. You can apply online through their website. You will need to provide a few basic details about your book, including the title, format and planned publication date.
Keep in mind:
And if all of that sounds like too much admin, we are always happy to help. We work with self-publishing authors across Ireland and can guide you through the ISBN process or even handle it on your behalf if you prefer.
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to ISBNs, just the best decision for your unique book and publishing goals.
If you are keeping things local, private or small-scale, you may not need one. But if you want your book to travel further, into libraries, shops or online platforms, then an ISBN is a must.
At Print My Book, we are here to make your journey into self-publishing as smooth as possible. Whether you are ready to print today or still weighing your options, get in touch and let us know how we can help.
Your story deserves to be told, with or without an ISBN!
021 488 3458
info@printmybook.com