Working with Scribus: A Free InDesign Alternative for Book Layouts
"In real open source, you have the right to control your own destiny."
– Linus Torvalds
When I first started preparing Bye-Bye, Boobies for IngramSpark's hardcover printing process, I quickly realized how many publishing programs come with a heavy price tag. Adobe InDesign is the most common desktop publishing software that comes up over and over, but the subscription alone can add up to hundreds of dollars a year. As an indie author, I needed another way.
ISBNs in Canada (and Why I’m Using IngramSpark)
That’s when I turned to Scribus. Scribus is a free, open-source book layout and typesetting program aka desktop publishing software. While the interface may not be flashy, it gives me the same control over trim size, margins, bleeds, and spine guides that paid software programs do. Once I got used to its quirks, it became a reliable part of my process.
Tip: Keep all of the files that you are uploading into Scribus in one folder and save the finished file in that same folder, it doesn't do very well if you are pulling files from multiple folders on your computer.
One of the biggest surprises was discovering that Scribus can open the IDML cover templates that IngramSpark provides (alongside the standard PDF). Most people assume you need InDesign for that file type, but thankfully Scribus handles it just fine. That means I can use the exact same template the printers expect, drop in my artwork, and align everything properly without an Adobe subscription.
For me, Scribus has made it possible to create print-ready files for IngramSpark without adding extra costs. I can check that text is sitting safely inside the margins, that spreads line up correctly, and that colours are exporting in the CMYK format printers require . It has taken time to learn, but building skills feels a lot more sustainable than maintaining a monthly bill.
I know many indie authors feel the pressure to buy expensive software before they even begin. My approach has been to use free programs wherever possible: Krita for illustration, Scribus for layout, LibreOffice for text. I only invest money where it truly makes a difference. Scribus is not flashy, but it is proof that publishing a professional book does not have to drain your budget.
What I've learned (so far) about making a picture book in Krita
You can see all of our books and more on our site littlegoodbyes.ca
