In short
- Professional layout with CMYK, spot colours and PDF/X, for free.
- It can import IDML, although in a basic way. .indd files do not open.
- Its interface is less polished, and it has less automation for long documents.
It’s for you if…
- You lay out brochures, posters, newsletters or magazines now and then.
- You do not want to pay a subscription for a few uses a year.
- You need PDFs for print and do not want to depend on Adobe.
Better pick something else if…
- You lay out long books with cross-references, indexes and GREP styles.
- You exchange .indd files every day with agencies or print shops.
From InDesign to Scribus: equivalents
| InDesign | Scribus |
|---|---|
| Master pages | Master pages |
| Text and image frames | Text and image frames |
| Paragraph and character styles | Paragraph and character styles |
| Swatches | Colour palettes, with CMYK and spot inks |
| Preflight | Preflight Verifier |
| Export to PDF | Export to PDF, with PDF/X |
| Colour settings | Colour management with ICC profiles |
| Scripts | Python scripts |
Step by step
Install Scribus
Download it from scribus.net. Also install the fonts your work uses.
Export from InDesign
If you still have InDesign, use File > Export and choose IDML, and also create a reference PDF. Without InDesign you will not be able to get anything out of your .indd files.
Import or rebuild
In Scribus, use File > Open with the .idml. Results can vary a lot: check text and images. For complex work, it is often worth laying out again using the PDF as a guide.
Prepare the document
Set the page size, bleed, master pages and styles. As in InDesign, content goes in frames: create the frame and then load text or an image.
Set up colour
Turn on colour management in the preferences and choose the profiles your print shop asks for. Define your colours in CMYK.
Export a print PDF
Run the Preflight Verifier and export to PDF/X-1a, X-3 or X-4, as your print shop requires, with crop marks and bleed.
Files and formats
Scribus does not open .indd. It can import .idml and .idms, usually with adjustments afterwards, as well as documents in other formats. It saves as .sla. It exports to PDF with PDF/X-1a, X-3 and X-4. Images are linked, so keep the folder together and use Collect for Output when sending the project.
What you won’t find
- It does not open .indd, and its IDML importer is basic.
- Less automation for long documents, such as cross-references or GREP styles.
- An older interface, with somewhat more of a learning curve.
Tips
- Always keep a PDF of your InDesign work: it is your best guide for rebuilding it.
- Ask your print shop for its PDF settings before exporting.
- Save your Scribus templates so you do not start each job from scratch.
Frequently asked questions
Does Scribus open InDesign files?
.indd files, no. .idml files can be imported, although they usually need adjustments, especially in complex layouts.
Is it good for professional printing?
Yes. It supports CMYK, spot colours, ICC profiles and PDF/X. Do a test with your print shop.
Is it easy to learn coming from InDesign?
The concepts are the same: frames, master pages and styles. The interface changes, but you will soon find your way around.
Independent: we have no commercial relationship, sponsorship or affiliation with InDesign or with these alternatives, and nobody pays us to recommend them. Links go to their official websites and are not affiliate links; the site is funded only by Google AdSense ads, which don't influence the selection. Learn more.