Free Desktop Publishing Software
Most free desktop publishing software are decent for quick jobs like whipping up some labels or business cards, but let’s be real—they’re not exactly powerhouse design tools.
That said, there are a few hidden gems out there for Windows that pack some serious punch, offering full-on page layouts, vector graphic tools, and even image editing. We’ve rounded up three of the best that are worth your time.
Scribus
Scribus is basically the go-to freebie for desktop publishing if you want pro-level features without dropping serious cash. We're talking CMYK support, font embedding, PDF creation, EPS imports—stuff you'd expect from heavyweights like InDesign.
It even has that familiar vibe with text frames and floating palettes, so if you've used QuarkXPress or similar, you'll feel right at home. The catch? It’s not exactly plug-and-play for total beginners. If you’re cool with a bit of a learning curve, though, there’s a ton of tutorials out there to help you figure it out.
Inkscape
Inkscape is a fan-favorite, open-source vector drawing tool that works in SVG format and won’t cost you a dime. You can crank out all kinds of stuff—business cards, book covers, flyers, ads, you name it.
It’s like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW’s chill cousin, but free. If you’re doing page layouts or need something more adaptable than your basic photo editor, this is the program to mess around with.
GIMP
GIMP’s like the free, open-source answer to Photoshop that people swear by. It’s a solid photo editor, but don’t expect it to handle text-heavy designs or multi-page projects—it’s just not built for that. Still, it’s a killer tool to have in your arsenal, and if you’re feeling lost, there’s a mountain of tutorials out there to get you up to speed.
Canva
If you’re not out here trying to publish books or magazines and just need something quick and simple for brochures, social media posts, your CV, or even a letter, Canva’s got your back.
This online design tool blew up because it’s stupidly easy to use—no downloads, no hassle. You just sign up for free and bam, you’ve got access to templates for everything: Facebook posts, posters, business cards, banners, you name it. Tons of fonts, graphics, and backgrounds are free, and the paid stuff isn’t going to break the bank either.
Drag and drop to your heart’s content, set up brand colors and logos, and if you’re working with a team, the free version even lets up to 10 people collaborate on designs. Simple, sleek, and stupidly convenient.
Marq (formerly Lucidpress)
Marq, formerly Lucidpress, is an easy-to-use web app for creating ads, editorial content, and other designs without needing to download anything. It’s kind of the middle ground between super-simple tools like Canva and the more hardcore vibe of InDesign.
That said, the free version is super basic—like, good enough to test the waters, but that’s about it. If you’re willing to pay, though, their Pro, Team, and Business plans unlock tons of templates, resources, and group features with role assignments. You can even try it out for free to see if it’s worth your cash.
The interface is super intuitive, and drag-and-drop makes tweaking formats, images, layers, and transparency a breeze for those pro-level effects. Start with a template—there are thousands, split by print, digital, and social formats—and you’re good to go. When you’re done, you can save your design as a JPG, PNG, or PDF and print it in high quality. If you outgrow the free plan, premium starts at just £8 a month, which isn’t too shabby.
Adobe Express
Adobe Express, formerly Adobe Spark, is basically Adobe’s take on easy, online design tools like Canva. It’s got all the usual suspects—drag-and-drop setup, quick text and shape tweaks, and a bunch of ready-made formats you can play around with. The real flex, though, is the massive stash of templates and free images straight from Adobe’s treasure chest.
If you’re serious about diving in, the Premium version ($9.99/month or $99.99/year) unlocks the big guns in the archive, but honestly, the free version holds its own and will handle most of your creative needs without a hitch.
VistaCreate
VistaCreate is the new kid on the block when it comes to free design apps, and it’s all about keeping things simple and beginner-friendly. Honestly, it might even be easier to use than Canva or Adobe Express. They’ve got a solid lineup of templates, free resources, and tutorials that are actually useful if you’re just dipping your toes into graphic design. Big plus there.
One cool feature is the Brand Kit—you can upload your company’s logo, colors, fonts, and keep them handy for future projects. Perfect if you’re using it for business. That said, VistaCreate is definitely more geared toward digital stuff like social media banners and headers. It’s not great for print-heavy projects like books or magazines, but oddly enough, they’ve got some killer templates for things like event tickets. Go figure.
The free plan works fine for most casual projects, though it caps your storage at 10 GB. If that’s cramping your style, the paid plan kicks in at £10/month, unlocking unlimited storage, a bigger template library, and team collaboration tools.