Craft Apps
DesignCraft: The Open-Source InDesign Alternative in the ArtCraft Suite
Updated 2026-10-11
DesignCraft is the page layout application in the ArtCraft suite - the open-source counterpart to Adobe InDesign. It handles multi-page documents: brochures, magazines, books and marketing collateral.
What it replaces
The InDesign workflow: master pages, text frames with threading, grids and guides, styles, placed assets and print-ready export.
What it does today
- Multi-page documents with master pages.
- Threaded text frames and typographic styles.
- Asset placement with linked-file management.
- PDF export for print and digital distribution.
Where it is rough
- Print-production depth (preflight, separations, ICC handling) is thin.
- Long-document features (index, TOC, cross-refs) are basic.
- Font handling is simpler than InDesign's typographic engine.
Who it suits now
Flyers, brochures, simple multi-page docs and digital PDFs work today. Professional print workflows need careful validation.