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Blurb BookWright
What it is
Blurb BookWright is desktop software for designing custom books, from photo books and magazines to notebooks, paperbacks, hardcovers, and wall art. Its layout tools include customizable templates, freestyle grids, typography and cover controls, bleed lines, and trim guides. Users can scale and crop images, enhance them, or apply auto-retouching powered by Perfectly Clear by EyeQ. Text Flow fits copy to frames and supports Rich Text Format imports. Photo Manager can bring in images from Adobe Lightroom, SmugMug, and Dropbox. The desktop software supports offline editing, while publishing requires an internet connection and a free Blurb account. Finished projects can be printed on demand, ordered in bulk, or purchased as PDFs. BookWright itself is free; users pay for books when sending them to print. The listed options include a $12 a month softcover photo book for 20 pages, with other listed photo book options at $32 a month or $60 a month. Books can have up to 440 pages. Desktop requirements include Windows 7, 8, or 10, or macOS 10.13 or later, with 2GB RAM and 500MB storage.
For and against
For
- Free desktop book-design software
- Supports offline editing
- Imports photos from Lightroom, SmugMug, and Dropbox
- Projects can be printed, bulk-ordered, or bought as PDFs
- Books can be up to 440 pages
Against
- Publishing requires an internet connection
- A free Blurb account is required
- Listed desktop requirements include older Windows versions
The verdict
BookWright combines book layout, image tools, and several output options in a free desktop application. Remember that printing costs extra, publishing requires internet access, and the listed photo book prices vary by format.
Who it suits
It suits people who want to design custom printed books or PDFs on a desktop, including photo books, magazines, and notebooks. It is also useful for users who want offline editing and are comfortable needing internet access to publish.
Plans and prices
BookWright software
Desktop book-design application · Templates and layout suggestions · Offline editing
Read 20 Sep 2026 · store.blurb.com
Softcover photo book
20 pages
Read 20 Sep 2026 · www3.blurb.com
ImageWrap Hardcover photo book
20 pages
Read 20 Sep 2026 · www3.blurb.com
Linen Hardcover with Dust Jacket photo book
20 pages
Read 20 Sep 2026 · www3.blurb.com
Layflat photo book
Layflat photo book printing
Read 20 Sep 2026 · www3.blurb.com
BookWright
Free desktop book-design software · Windows and macOS · publishing requires internet
Read 14 Oct 2026 · blurb.com
Paperback book, Economy Color, 5×8 in
24-page paperback · 70# white uncoated paper · additional pages US $0.06
Read 14 Oct 2026 · store.blurb.com
Paperback book, Standard B&W, 5×8 in
50# white uncoated text paper · additional pages US $0.04
Read 14 Oct 2026 · store.blurb.com
Premium Magazine
8.5×11 in · premium paper
Read 14 Oct 2026 · store.blurb.com
On the record
- Account requirement
- Users sign up for a free Blurb account to access BookWright features and publishing options.store.blurb.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Adobe integrations
- Blurb offers companion integrations for Adobe InDesign, Lightroom Classic and Photoshop, plus a PDF uploader.store.blurb.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- API documentation
- RPI Print provides REST API documentation, a free sandbox and onboarding guidance; custom integrations can receive dedicated account management.secure.blurb.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- API pricing
- The self-service API has no setup fees, monthly fees or minimum order volume; custom API pricing depends on requirements and volume.secure.blurb.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Auto image adjustment
- Auto Image Adjust can brighten, sharpen, correct color and skin tones, remove red-eye, reduce noise and improve print fidelity.support.blurb.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Company
- Blurb says it is based in San Francisco, with offices in London.blurb.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Company founding
- Blurb says Eileen Gittins founded the company in 2005.blurb.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Company headquarters
- Blurb identifies San Francisco as its base and says it has an office in London.blurb.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Company legal name
- Crunchbase lists the legal name as Blurb, Inc.crunchbase.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Company scale
- LinkedIn says Blurb has more than 2 million customers, over 4 million book titles and nearly 18 million units shipped to almost 100 countries.linkedin.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Cost limit
- BookWright is free to use, and users pay for a book when they send it to print.store.blurb.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Custom API
- The Custom API supports photo books, hardcover and paperback books, notebooks, journals and magazines with global shipping and bespoke workflows.secure.blurb.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Design tools
- Features include freestyle grids, typography and cover design tools, bleed lines, trim guides, and customizable templates.store.blurb.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Desktop requirements
- The page lists Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10 and macOS 10.13 or later, with 2GB RAM and 500MB storage required.store.blurb.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Image editing
- It includes image scaling, cropping, enhancement, and auto-retouching powered by Perfectly Clear by EyeQ.store.blurb.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Image limits
- BookWright accepts JPG, JPEG and PNG images up to 75 megapixels and recommends 250–300 DPI at placed size for books.support.blurb.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Image tools
- Built-in image handling includes scaling, cropping, enhancement and auto-retouching powered by Perfectly Clear by EyeQ.blurb.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Independent test criticism
- Tom’s Guide reported clunky design software, limited layout decoration, dull color reproduction, dark blacks, ink transfer and a cracking hardcover.tomsguide.com · read 14 Oct 2026
