Glossary · Publishing
What is an imprint?
Definition
Imprint: An imprint is the publisher name a book is released under. Self-publishers often create their own imprint name to register ISBNs and appear on listings.
An imprint is the brand name of the publisher shown on a book's spine, title page, copyright page and store listing. Large publishing houses run many imprints, each with its own focus — one for literary fiction, another for thrillers. For a self-publisher, the imprint is simply the publisher name you choose to publish under.
When you buy your own ISBNs, they are registered to a publisher name, and that name becomes your imprint. Retailers and distributors such as IngramSpark expect the imprint you enter on the listing to match the one your ISBN is registered to, so type it exactly the same everywhere. If you use a free platform ISBN instead, the platform's name or a generic label such as "Independently published" usually appears as the publisher.
Do you need one? Not strictly. But an imprint name lets you publish books in several genres or under several pen names while keeping one consistent publisher identity, and it looks more established to bookstores and libraries. Many authors design a small logo for the spine and title page.
Before you settle on a name, search to make sure it is not already used by another publisher, and avoid names that suggest a connection to a company you are not part of. Whether you need to register a business to use an imprint name depends on where you live — this is general information, not legal advice.