Adding a barcode to a CD pressed without one?

[Inazone]

A couple of years ago, my band did a short run (CD-R duplication) of an EP that we used for promo and to sell locally. Since we didn't have any plans to sell them via retail outlets, we never considered including a barcode. Well, we sold out of the first run and pressed more, again skipping the barcode, but now I'm thinking that we should have included one, just in case we want to sell them on Amazon, on consignment at local shops, or anywhere that might require a barcode.

 

These are in jewel cases but aren't shrinkwrapped, so is there any reason we couldn't just print some barcodes on labels and affix them to the back tray card? Is there some sort of format that we'd need to follow?

[Rudolf von Hagenwil]

ISRC, International Standard. Recording Code (ISO-Code for the album) necessary for digital marketing.

 

LC, Labelcode, confirmation for broadcasting right given to the broadcaster.

 

ISWC, International Standard Work Code, (ISO-Code of the musical work)

 

ORT Master-TAPE: (digital code on a CD data track, Q-channel). For identification of the content.

 

EAN, European article bar code

[daddymack]

You can add the barcode labels as you need them, as long as the 5 digit prefix code number is assigned to your FSCM, the 'tail' code is yours to do with as you see fit.

 

Nice reply, Rudy, but not germane to the question...

[Rudolf von Hagenwil]

You can add the barcode labels as you need them, as long as the 5 digit prefix code number is assigned to your FSCM, the 'tail' code is yours to do with as you see fit. Nice reply, Rudy, but not germane to the question...

 

 

I know, and you possibly get a lot of all kind of royalties from AMRA, ASCAP, BMI, HFA and SESAC with your self-made bar code.

[BlueStrat]

You can buy barcode stickers online. http://www.google.com/search?aq=f&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=barcode+stickers

[Rudolf von Hagenwil]

Don't believe any of that nonsense above.

 

 

In the USA only Uniform Code Council (UCC) can assign a legal bar code. UCC issues barcodes to anyone who sells a product. The bar code is stored in the central database and all scanners in the stores can read the bar code information and report the information to anyone the information is relevant.

 

And it is illegal to deliver products to stores with selfmade bar codes

[richardmac]

I do it the easy way - I release my CD's through CDBaby and they give me a UPC Bar code graphic which I put on the back of the CD.

[BlueStrat]

Don't believe any of that nonsense above. In the USA only Uniform Code Council (UCC) can assign a legal bar code. UCC issues barcodes to anyone who sells a product. The bar code is stored in the central database and all scanners in the stores can read the bar code information and report the information to anyone the information is relevant. And it is illegal to deliver products to stores with selfmade bar codes

 

Yeah, they're all selling illegal barcodes.

 

The ones I bought and used on my CDs worked fine and I had no problem getting paid. You register with the bar code seller when it's assigned to you. But I guess you know every {censored}in' thing, so never mind.

[Surrealistic]

I do it the easy way - I release my CD's through CDBaby and they give me a UPC Bar code graphic which I put on the back of the CD.

Tunecore do that too so that's what I do.

[Rudolf von Hagenwil]

Yeah, they're all selling illegal barcodes. The ones I bought and used on my CDs worked fine and I had no problem getting paid. You register with the bar code seller when it's assigned to you. But I guess you know every {censored}in' thing, so never mind.

 

It is always funny to watch how some amateurs know everything better.

 

 

 

 

The Truth About Barcodes

 

I see many places that offer one a "personal barcode" for a small amount of money (which is illegal, by the way); or often a CD manufacturing company will offer an artist a "barcode with your OWN name" as part of the deal. Let's talk about the ACTUAL barcode number, all right?

 

Where Do I Get a Barcode?

Barcodes are assigned from only ONE official place -- the Uniform Code Council. They issue barcodes to everyone who intends to sell product(s). The barcode is ASSIGNED by the UCC, from a central database, so that all uniform scanners at stores, etc., can "read" the information on the barcode, and report it to whomever the information is relevant.

 

For example, SoundScan monitors albums sold retail, and that defines the charts, placements, awards, etc., or at least is an influential part of the mix. Any monies owed or earned can be tracked through this universal system. It is a world-wide, accepted identifier for you AND YOUR COMPANY.

 

Why Do I Need One?

As said above, it's the way a retail sale is identified, and sometimes wholesale sales, also. It is read UNIVERSALLY.

 

How Much is It?

A lot. About $750.00 last time I checked, but you can contact the UCC, and check the current rates.

 

 

 

more here:

 

http://www.musicbizacademy.com/articles/barcodes.htm

[Inazone]

Well, I realize that CD Baby, Tunecore and others offer barcodes, but we didn't use them for our duplication. And I have looked at a few of the barcode label services online, but the debate in this thread has me more confused than I was when I posted it. $750 for a barcode isn't an option for a batch of EPs that will sell (optimistically) for a grand total of $300. I could live with the $85 cost of a barcode that we can print ourselves.

[daddymack]

 

I know, and you possibly get a lot of all kind of royalties from AMRA, ASCAP, BMI, HFA and SESAC with your self-made bar code.

yes, you will, as I said, if your FSCM (the 5 digit prefix) is correct.

Obviously you either have a reading comprehension problem, or just don't pay attention to what other people say.

I manage a business where we have literally hundreds of thousands of barcodes, and here's the thing. The UCC only issues you the prefix code. PERIOD. That code ties to your company. If tunecore, etc. are issuing barcodes, then they most likely do it under their prefix, and then assign the tail code to individuals, which is certainly not only legal, but logical.

Barcodes are for more than just retail tracking. We have a warehouse that literally encomasses over two acres, and every rack has at least 5 levels and two or three horizontal slots. Tens of thousands of positions, with tens of thousands of items...each item (retail or component) and every location, has a barcode that we generate internally, and give to our vendors to put on our products. I know because I did both the retail coding and the warehouse coding at varying points.

There are a number of different barcode systems, too, so it is not exactly 'universal', either, but it is getting closer.

[Rudolf von Hagenwil]

Happy selling and cashing in internationally without all necessary codes on your music, Mr. daddymack.

[Inazone]

Well, if anyone can comment on any of the barcode/label services who has any personal experience, feel free to PM me. I can see that there's no further progress to be made here. I'd appreciate the help.