Laidout
Laidout is free Linux desktop publishing software for arranging pages into print impositions, including folded booklets and polyhedron nets.
What Laidout is
Laidout is free Linux desktop publishing software for arranging pages into print impositions, including folded booklets and polyhedron nets. It supports single pages, custom folded book signatures, accordion folds, and other net layouts. Its object tools include paths, ellipses, rounded rectangles, gradients, point sets, color meshes, warped images, and captions. Laidout imports SVG, images, Scribus files, and OFF polyhedra; it can also import PDF pages 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. It can batch import, reimpose, and export from the command line without opening a window. The software is released under GPL 3.0. Its homepage identifies version 0.097 and says the stable release is old, recommending a development snapshot or compiling from source where possible. The FAQ says color management has not been a development priority and suggests exporting to Scribus for that work. The site identifies Tom Lechner as its only current developer.
Good
- Supports folded signatures and polyhedron net layouts.
- Exports PDF, SVG, Scribus, images, and PostScript.
- Batch import, reimposition, and export via command line.
- Free under GPL 3.0.
Watch out
- Works only on variations of Linux.
- Stable release is described as old.
- PDF page import for reimposition is under development.
- Color management has not been a development priority.
Who it suits
Laidout suits Linux users preparing folded book layouts, polyhedron nets, or print layouts for small-sheet printers. It may also suit users who need command-line batch processing and can work around its stated release and color-management limitations.
Verdict
Laidout covers specialized imposition work and offers broad import, export, and batch options. Its old stable release, Linux-only support, and limited color-management focus are important considerations.
Plans and prices
From Laidout's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free (GPL 3.0) | Free | GPL 3.0 software · Linux support stated · version 0.097 |
The facts
Each one read from Laidout's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Batch processing
- Laidout can import, reimpose, and export files from the command line without opening a window.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Book layout
- It supports single pages, custom folded book signatures, and net impositions such as accordion folds and polyhedron nets.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Color management
- The FAQ says proper color management has not been a development priority and suggests exporting to Scribus for color management.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Command line
- Laidout can batch import, reimpose, and export files from the command line without opening a window.checked 5 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Export
- Export formats include PDF, SVG, Scribus, images, HTML galleries, Podofoimpose plan files, Page Atlas images, and Postscript.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Export formats
- It lists export to PDF, SVG, Scribus, images, HTML gallery, Podofoimpose PLAN, Page Atlas, and PostScript.checked 7 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Graphics tools
- Its listed object types include images, gradients, variable-width paths, ellipses, rounded rectangles, point sets, color meshes, and warped images.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Import formats
- It lists importing SVG, images, Scribus, OFF polyhedra, and PDF pages as rendered images.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Imposition modes
- It supports single pages, custom folded book signatures, and nets including accordion folds and polyhedron unwrapping.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The site describes Scribus import and export, Gimp palette import, and Podofoimpose PLAN export.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Known limitations
- The FAQ says scripting is not well debugged or documented and not all object types are accessible to scripts.checked 5 Oct 2026
- License
- The FAQ says Laidout is released under GPL 3.0.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Limitations
- The FAQ says proper color management has not been a high priority and suggests exporting to Scribus for color management.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Laidout is desktop publishing software built for arranging pages into cut and folded impositions such as booklets and polyhedra.checked 7 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker directs users to the Codeberg issue tracker for bugs and feature requests and also offers email contact.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Target use
- Laidout describes the Paper Group tool as useful for making posters when a printer can print only on small sheets.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Vector tools
- Object types include paths, ellipses, rounded rectangles, gradients, point sets, color meshes, warped images, and captions.checked 5 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2006checked 28 Sep 2026
- Maker
- The site identifies Tom Lechner as Laidout’s only developer and says he uses it to lay out his comics into books.checked 7 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- 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.checked 7 Oct 2026
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