Open source desktop publishing.
Desktop publisher tools which actually include powerful features are often rather expensive, but Scribus breaks that mold with its free publishing program with many impressive features and tools.
Despite being totally free, Scribus offers many power tools for users with the correct know-how. Support for CMYK color is included with support for color management. It also creates Adobe PDF documents.
And though the interface of Scribus takes some getting used to, it does offer many of the powerful features you would expect in a commercial package such as an Adobe product.
Scribus is useful for a few different documents and publications and includes different built-in templates to get started with. It supports vector drawing utilities, text formatting and other publishing tools.
Though this application isn't geared towards newbies due to its complex interface, it does get the job done if you know what you're doing and how to do it. Online help is available.
Features of Scribus
- Barcodes: Create linear barcodes.
- Bookmarks: Create PDF bookmarks.
- Color management: Professional color workflow.
- Design: Creative freedom
- Graphics: Vector, bitmap support.
- Layers: Organize content
- Output: High-quality PDFs
- Plugins: Expand functionality.
- Prepress: PDF/X-3 support
- Professional layout: Advanced typography.
- Scripting: Automate tasks
- Security: Encrypt documents.
- Story Editor: Write, edit story.
- Tables: Create and edit
- Text frames: Linking, threading.
Compatibility and License
Scribus is available for free and released under the open source GPLv2 license on Windows from graphics editors. The license provides the options to freely download, install, run and share this program without any restrictions. The source code for Scribus should be freely available and modifications are certainly permitted as well as the option to inspect the software.
What version of Windows can Scribus run on?
Scribus can be used on a computer running Windows 11 or Windows 10. Previous versions of the OS shouldn't be a problem with Windows 8 and Windows 7 having been tested. It comes in both 32-bit and 64-bit downloads.
Other operating systems: The latest Scribus version from 2024 is also available for Mac.
Filed under:
- Scribus Download
- Free Graphics Editors
- Open source and GPL software
- Desktop Publishing Software
