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SPECIFICTION
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Laidout

laidout.org

Free plan Linux
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Spec score 8.3 #8 of 30 in Desktop Publishing Software

What it is

Laidout is free Linux desktop publishing software for arranging pages into folded print layouts, including book signatures, accordion folds and polyhedron nets. It also supports single pages and can help arrange posters for printers limited to small sheets. Its graphics objects include paths, ellipses, rounded rectangles, gradients, point sets, color meshes, warped images and captions. Laidout imports SVG, images, Scribus files and OFF polyhedra; PDF pages can be imported as rendered images, though PDF page import for reimposition is under development. Export options include PDF, SVG, Scribus, images, HTML galleries, Podofoimpose plan files, Page Atlas images and PostScript. Command-line use supports batch import, reimposition and export without opening a window. Laidout is released under GPL 3.0. The homepage identifies version 0.097 and says the stable release is old, suggesting a development snapshot or compiling from source where possible. Proper color management has not been a development priority; the FAQ suggests exporting to Scribus for that work.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Laidout is desktop publishing software built for arranging pages into cut and folded impositions such as booklets and polyhedra.Read 7 Oct 2026 · laidout.org
Integrations
The site describes Scribus import and export, Gimp palette import, and Podofoimpose PLAN export.Read 7 Oct 2026 · laidout.org
Support
The maker directs users to the Codeberg issue tracker for bugs and feature requests and also offers email contact.Read 7 Oct 2026 · laidout.org
License
The FAQ says Laidout is released under GPL 3.0.Read 7 Oct 2026 · laidout.org
Founded
2006Read 28 Sep 2026 · laidout.org
Maker
The site identifies Tom Lechner as Laidout’s only developer and says he uses it to lay out his comics into books.Read 7 Oct 2026 · laidout.org
Batch processing
Laidout can import, reimpose, and export files from the command line without opening a window.Read 7 Oct 2026 · laidout.org
Book layout
It supports single pages, custom folded book signatures, and net impositions such as accordion folds and polyhedron nets.Read 5 Oct 2026 · laidout.org
Color management
The FAQ says proper color management has not been a development priority and suggests exporting to Scribus for color management.Read 5 Oct 2026 · laidout.org
Command line
Laidout can batch import, reimpose, and export files from the command line without opening a window.Read 5 Oct 2026 · laidout.org
Development status
The home page identifies version 0.097 and says the stable version is old, dated November 2018, with the last compiled unstable snapshot from 2021.Read 7 Oct 2026 · laidout.org
Export
Export formats include PDF, SVG, Scribus, images, HTML galleries, Podofoimpose plan files, Page Atlas images, and Postscript.Read 5 Oct 2026 · laidout.org
Export formats
It lists export to PDF, SVG, Scribus, images, HTML gallery, Podofoimpose PLAN, Page Atlas, and PostScript.Read 7 Oct 2026 · laidout.org
File formats
It imports SVG, images, Scribus files, OFF polyhedra, and PDF pages rendered as images; PDF page import for reimposition is described as under development.Read 5 Oct 2026 · laidout.org
Graphics tools
Its listed object types include images, gradients, variable-width paths, ellipses, rounded rectangles, point sets, color meshes, and warped images.Read 7 Oct 2026 · laidout.org
Import formats
It lists importing SVG, images, Scribus, OFF polyhedra, and PDF pages as rendered images.Read 7 Oct 2026 · laidout.org
Imposition modes
It supports single pages, custom folded book signatures, and nets including accordion folds and polyhedron unwrapping.Read 7 Oct 2026 · laidout.org
Known limitations
The FAQ says scripting is not well debugged or documented and not all object types are accessible to scripts.Read 5 Oct 2026 · laidout.org
Limitations
The FAQ says proper color management has not been a high priority and suggests exporting to Scribus for color management.Read 7 Oct 2026 · laidout.org
Platform
The maker says Laidout currently works only on variations of Linux; Mac may work with hacking, while Windows via WSL is mentioned as uncertain.Read 7 Oct 2026 · laidout.org
Release status
The homepage identifies version 0.097 and says the stable release is old, recommending a development snapshot or compiling from source where possible.Read 5 Oct 2026 · laidout.org
Target use
Laidout describes the Paper Group tool as useful for making posters when a printer can print only on small sheets.Read 7 Oct 2026 · laidout.org
Vector tools
Object types include paths, ellipses, rounded rectangles, gradients, point sets, color meshes, warped images, and captions.Read 5 Oct 2026 · laidout.org

Plans and prices

Free (GPL 3.0) Free GPL 3.0 software · Linux support stated · version 0.097 Read 7 Oct 2026 · laidout.org

Every Laidout plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free software under GPL 3.0
  • Exports PDF, SVG and PostScript
  • Supports folded signatures and polyhedron nets
  • Batch operations work from the command line

Limits

  • Currently works only on Linux variations
  • Stable release is described as old
  • PDF page reimposition import is under development
  • Color management has not been a priority

Who it suits

It suits Linux users arranging print pages into folded books, poster sheets or polyhedron nets. Its command-line batch operations may also suit users handling repeated import, reimposition and export tasks.

Verdict

Laidout covers unusual imposition layouts and a broad range of import and export formats. Its old stable version, Linux-only support and limited color-management focus are important considerations.

Where Specifiction places it

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