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EnglishWhat free book design tools does Blurb offer?
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Blurb offers four free ways to design a book: an online editor you run in a browser or on your phone, the BookWright desktop app, Adobe plugins for InDesign and Lightroom, and a PDF-to-Book upload path. The right choice depends on how much control you want and what software you already use. All four are listed on Blurb's site as free design tools, and each ends in the same place: a print-ready book you can order on demand.
The four tools at a glance
| Tool | Where it runs | Best for | What you need to start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blurb online editor | Browser or phone, no download | Quick photo books, designing on the go | A Blurb account and your images |
| BookWright | Free desktop application | Full creative control with templates | The app installed on your computer |
| Adobe plugins | InDesign or Lightroom | Designers already working in Adobe apps | Adobe software plus the plugin |
| PDF to Book | Any program that exports PDF | Finished layouts from software you already use | A print-ready PDF |
How each tool works
Blurb online editor
You design directly in the browser or on your phone with nothing to install. This is the lowest-friction option if you want a photo book and don't want to manage files or software. Expect less granular layout control than a desktop tool, and plan to work within the editor's templates and page structure.
BookWright
Blurb's free desktop application gives you full creative control and includes templates. Choose this when you want to fine-tune layout, typography, and page flow yourself but don't want to learn a professional design suite. The trade-off is that you install and learn a dedicated app.
Adobe plugins
If you already design in Adobe InDesign or Lightroom, the plugins let you design there and print with Blurb. This suits photographers with an existing Lightroom workflow and designers with established InDesign files. You need the Adobe software and the plugin installed before you begin.
PDF to Book
Design in whatever program you already use, then upload your PDF to print. This is the most flexible path for anyone with an existing layout tool, but it puts the print-readiness of the file on you: page size, bleed, and resolution need to be correct before upload, since the PDF is treated as a finished file.
How to choose
- You want the fastest start with no installs: use the online editor.
- You want layout control without Adobe: use BookWright.
- You already work in InDesign or Lightroom: use the Adobe plugins.
- You have a finished file from another program: use PDF to Book.
A practical approach is to start with one tool and stay with it through the project, since switching mid-design usually means rebuilding the layout.
What happens after design
Every path leads to on-demand printing: you can order one book for yourself or extra copies to share. Volume discounts start at 10 copies, which matters if you're printing for a team, a class, or a customer list. Blurb also lists four ways to sell books, beginning with an Instant Store that needs only a shareable link and no website.
Common snags to plan for
- PDF to Book: check trim size and image resolution before uploading, because the file is printed as submitted.
- Online editor: confirm the trim sizes and paper types you want are available for your format before investing time in the layout.
- Adobe plugins: install the plugin and confirm it matches your Adobe version before starting a project.
- BookWright: budget time to learn the app if you're new to desktop design tools.
For current format options and pricing, check Blurb's pricing page, since costs vary by format, size, and paper choice.