pISSN

pISSN stands for print International Standard Serial Number. It is a unique eight-digit identifier assigned to the print edition of a serial publication, such as a journal or magazine. The pISSN serves to distinguish the print version from other formats (like online editions) and aids in cataloging, indexing, and bibliographic management.

The ISSN system is administered internationally. When a serial has multiple formats, each format receives its own ISSN: a print ISSN (pISSN) for the print edition and an electronic ISSN (eISSN) for the online edition. The pISSN is issued by a national ISSN center and is registered in the global ISSN network. The standard format is four digits, a hyphen, four digits, with the last character potentially being X as a check digit.

In practice, pISSN is used in library catalogs, citation databases, publisher metadata, and bibliographic records to identify the print version unambiguously. It also helps libraries manage holdings and interlibrary loan across different formats. Some databases and metadata systems also use the ISSN-L, a linking ISSN that groups all formats of the same serial (including print and online) under a single identifier.

Overall, the pISSN is a format-specific identifier that plays a key role in the accurate identification, retrieval, and management of print serial publications within the wider ISSN framework.