How to get Crossref DOI Prefix for journal: Direct Membership vs Sponsored Partnership

In today’s digital publishing landscape, credibility and visibility are everything. For academic journals, conference proceedings, books, and datasets, a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is not just a technical add-on, it is a mark of authenticity, a gateway to global discoverability, and an essential requirement for indexing in databases like Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and beyond.

If you are a journal publisher in the Asia-Pacific region (India, Southeast Asia, Middle East, or Oceania), you’ve probably come across the question:

“How do I get a Crossref DOI account for my journal?”

The answer lies in two primary pathways:

1.  Direct membership with Crossref.

2.  Indirect membership via a sponsoring organization.

In this article, we will explain both options in detail and show you why Sequence Research & Development Pvt. Ltd., an official Crossref Sponsoring Partner operating under the brand OJSCloud.com, is the best choice in the Asia-Pacific region for affordable, reliable, and professional DOI registration services.

What is a Crossref DOI and Why Do Journals Need It?

A Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is a unique alphanumeric string assigned to scholarly content such as journal articles, conference papers, datasets, and books. It acts as a permanent link to the content, even if the website changes over time.

Key Benefits of DOIs for Journals:

·       Permanence: Links never break, unlike traditional URLs.

·       Citations & Metrics: Indexed in citation databases like Crossref Metadata Search, PlumX, SCITE, and more.

·       Visibility: Improves discoverability in Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and other databases.

·       Professional Recognition: Enhances the credibility of journals, making them more attractive to authors.

·       International Standards: Required by most indexing and abstracting services for journal acceptance.

In short, if you want your journal to be recognized on a global stage, DOIs are non-negotiable.

Two Ways to Acquire a Crossref DOI Account

Let’s break down the two available pathways.

1. Direct Association with Crossref

If you apply directly with Crossref, you sign up as a Crossref member publisher.

Key Features of Direct Membership:

• Annual Membership Fee: USD 275 per year (for publishers with revenue under USD 1 million; larger publishers pay higher).
• DOI Prefix: Assigned directly to your organization.
• Per DOI Fee: USD 1.00 per DOI deposited (for most journals; books and datasets may differ).
• Mandatory Fee: Even if you do not deposit any DOIs in a given year, the annual membership fee must be paid.
• Management Burden: You need to manage technical setup, metadata deposits, and compliance.

Who Should Choose Direct Membership?

• Established publishers producing hundreds or thousands of DOIs annually.
• Universities, government agencies, or large academic societies with dedicated IT teams.
• Organizations that want their own DOI prefix for branding purposes.

2. Indirect Association via a Sponsoring Organization

Crossref also allows journals to work with sponsoring organizations instead of applying directly.

How Sponsorship Works:

• The sponsor acts as an intermediary between your journal and Crossref.
• Sponsors handle the annual membership fee, technical integration, metadata deposits, and support.
• Journals pay only for the DOIs they use—there’s no annual obligation.

This makes sponsorship the ideal option for small and medium publishers, societies, and newly launched journals that may not be able to afford the recurring USD 275 membership fee.

Sequence Research & Development Pvt. Ltd. Sponsorship Model

Sequence Research & Development Pvt. Ltd. is an official Crossref Sponsoring Partner. Under their publishing technology brand OJSCloud.com, they support hundreds of journals across the Asia-Pacific region with affordable DOI registration services. They offer separate packages for international publishers (USD pricing) and Indian publishers (INR pricing) to make DOIs more accessible.

Crossref DOI Pricing for Non-Indian Clients (USD)

• One-Time Registration Fee: USD 55
• DOI Fee: USD 2.00 per DOI
• Minimum Purchase: 50 DOIs per transaction (e.g., 50 × 2 = USD 100)
• Top-Up Flexibility: After the first batch, you can purchase any number of DOIs (e.g., 70 DOIs × 2 = USD 140).

This model allows small publishers to start with a limited investment and scale as needed.

Crossref DOI Pricing for Indian Clients (INR)

Plan A

• One-Time Registration: ₹3,999
• DOIs Included: 25
• Price Per DOI: ₹175

Plan B

• One-Time Registration: ₹3,999
• DOIs Included: 70
• Price Per DOI: ₹150

Plan C

• One-Time Registration: ₹3,999
• DOIs Included: 100
• Price Per DOI: ₹130

This model removes the burden of an annual USD 275 fee and makes DOIs affordable for emerging Indian journals.

Direct vs. Sponsored DOI Accounts: A Clear Comparison

• Annual Fee: Direct membership requires USD 275 per year, while through Sequence R&D there is no annual fee.
• DOI Prefix: With direct membership, the prefix is assigned directly to your organization. Under Sequence R&D sponsorship, the prefix is provided through the sponsor.
• Per DOI Fee: Direct membership charges USD 1.00 per DOI, whereas Sequence R&D charges USD 2.00 per DOI.
• Setup Fee: In direct membership, the setup cost is included in the annual fee. With Sequence R&D sponsorship, there is a one-time setup fee of USD 55.
• Minimum Purchase: Direct membership has no minimum purchase requirement. With Sequence R&D, the minimum is 50 DOIs per transaction.
• Management: Direct members must handle deposits and metadata themselves. With sponsorship, Sequence R&D manages the deposits, metadata, and provides support.
• Best For: Direct membership is more suitable for medium and large publishers with high publication volumes, while sponsorship is ideal for small publishers, academic societies, and new journals.

Why Choose Sequence Research & Development Pvt. Ltd.?

There are several sponsoring organizations worldwide, but Sequence Research & Development Pvt. Ltd. stands out as the best choice in Asia-Pacific for the following reasons:

1.   Official Crossref Sponsorship

• Recognized by Crossref as a trusted sponsoring partner.
• Guarantees authenticity, compliance, and reliability.

2.   Asia-Pacific Expertise

• Headquartered in India and serving hundreds of journals across Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania.
• Deep understanding of the publishing challenges in this region.

3.   Affordable & Transparent Pricing

• Separate INR pricing for Indian clients to make DOIs accessible.
• Clear USD packages for international publishers with no hidden fees.

4.   Complete Publishing Support via OJSCloud

• Beyond DOI registration, Sequence R&D provides end-to-end Open Journal Systems (OJS) solutions—installation, hosting, customization, DOI integration, and indexing support.

5.   No Annual Fee Obligation

• Unlike direct Crossref membership, you only pay for the DOIs you use.

6.   Tailored for New Journals & Societies

• Perfect for publishers just starting out who need global visibility without heavy costs.

If you are searching for:

• Crossref DOI provider in Asia-Pacific
• Crossref sponsoring partner in India
• DOI registration services for journals
• Affordable DOI for small publishers
• Best Crossref partner for OJS journals

The answer is Sequence Research & Development Pvt. Ltd. (OJSCloud.com).

Final Thoughts

DOIs are essential for the visibility, credibility, and global indexing of your journal. While direct membership with Crossref may be suitable for large publishers, sponsorship through Sequence Research & Development Pvt. Ltd. is by far the most affordable and practical option for small and medium publishers in the Asia-Pacific region.

With official Crossref sponsorship, transparent pricing, technical expertise, and end-to-end OJS solutions, Sequence R&D has established itself as the leading Crossref Sponsoring Partner in Asia-Pacific.

If you are ready to enhance your journal’s visibility and credibility with Crossref DOIs, look no further than Sequence Research & Development Pvt. Ltd. your trusted partner for scholarly publishing success.

Connect with Our In-House Crossref DOI Expert: For personalized guidance on DOI registration, pricing, and technical support, please contact:

Mr. Darshan Patel, COO-Sequence R&D, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

+91 82003 85143 | Inquiry@ojscloud.com | www.ojscloud.com