Scribus is a desktop publishing application for creating professional page layouts. It is designed for producing books, magazines, brochures, newsletters, posters and other documents where precise control over typography and printed output is important.
Unlike a traditional word processor, Scribus uses a frame-based layout system. Text, images and graphical elements can be positioned independently, allowing designers to construct complex pages with consistent spacing and alignment.
The application is particularly suited to preparing documents for commercial printing, with extensive colour management and prepress facilities.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Create single-page and multi-page documents with precise control over page dimensions, margins and bleeds.
- Arrange text, images, shapes and tables using independently positioned frames.
- Link text frames so content flows automatically across pages.
- Use master pages to maintain consistent layouts throughout publications.
- Organise document elements using layers, guides, grids and snapping controls.
- Apply paragraph and character styles for consistent typography.
- Support OpenType fonts, advanced text shaping and multilingual typesetting.
- Import text from supported document formats, including OpenDocument, Word and RTF.
- Import vector and bitmap graphics, including SVG, EPS, TIFF and PSD.
- Create and edit vector shapes, paths, gradients and transparency effects.
- Manage RGB, CMYK and spot colours with ICC colour profiles.
- Preview colour separations, ink coverage and potential printing problems.
- Export print-ready PDF documents with professional prepress options.
- Use the Preflight Verifier to identify potential document errors before exporting.
- Create interactive PDF forms and presentation documents.
- Collect fonts, images and other resources needed for document output.
- Automate repetitive publishing tasks through Python scripting.
- Cross-platform support – runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Website: www.scribus.net
Support:
Developer: Scribus Team
License: GNU General Public License v2.0
Scribus is written in C++. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
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Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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