Vellum Formatting: The Ultimate Book & Print Guide for 2027

Did you know that professional-looking books can be created in minutes with the right tools? Vellum simplifies self-publishing, but mastering its features makes all the difference.

What Is Vellum Formatting and Why It Matters in 2027

Vellum is a Mac-only desktop software designed for self-publishing authors to craft professional eBook and print book interiors with minimal effort. It supports direct export to platforms like Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and others, focusing on automation and aesthetics for indie authors.

Its core strengths include pre-built templates for various book types and genres, automatic handling of margins, headers, footers, page numbers, and elements like title pages and tables of contents. In my experience working with authors, Vellum’s two-way design technology ensures that a single template can produce both ebook and print versions seamlessly, outperforming free tools like Kindle Create or Calibre in speed and flexibility.

Recently, the industry has shifted toward all-in-one tools like Vellum, emphasizing speed and professional aesthetics over manual software like InDesign. Best practices involve importing clean Word docs, using page breaks for chapters, selecting genre-appropriate styles early, and previewing on multiple devices. Industry standards also favor reflowable EPUBs with consistent headers and no widows or orphans, which Vellum automates effectively.

How to Import and Prepare Your Manuscript for Vellum

When importing from Word, copy-paste from a clean, edited document, retaining bold, italics, and formatting. Fix import glitches by selecting headings and converting them to chapters using Vellum’s convert-to features. It’s also crucial to remove extra spaces, especially at chapter starts, to prevent formatting issues.

Organizing chapters involves inserting page breaks and styling the chapter headings, such as center or bold titles. Common issues like chapter clumping or out-of-order sections can be fixed by selecting the relevant headings and converting them to chapters. This process ensures your manuscript is structured correctly for professional formatting.

Choosing and Applying Book Styles in Vellum

Vellum offers 8 distinct book styles: Meridian, Trace, Oxford, Artisanal, Kindred, Sudo, Parcel, and Chroma. Each style is tailored to different genres and aesthetic preferences, allowing you to quickly set a consistent look across ebook and print formats. Preview styles easily via the Style Carousel to find the perfect fit. For more on this, see our guide on vellum.

Early style selection is vital for consistency and efficiency. You can modify style elements like font size, ornaments, and headings within the style limits to match your genre. For example, a children’s book might use a playful style like Sudo, while a nonfiction title could lean toward Oxford for a classic look. Using styles helps maintain a cohesive appearance across formats and simplifies future edits.

Formatting Chapter Headings and Titles

To achieve professional formatting, insert page breaks before chapter titles and center or bold them for emphasis. Use consistent heading styles for easy navigation and device compatibility. In draft mode or proof mode, you can see how these titles will appear on different devices, ensuring clarity.

Tips for clear layouts include avoiding excessive spacing—delete unnecessary blank lines—and adjusting size and style to distinguish chapter titles from body text. Preview on multiple devices, including tablets and smartphones, to verify that chapter headings are legible and visually appealing across platforms.

Inserting Ornamental Breaks and Visual Elements

Vellum provides 7 built-in ornamental breaks via the text menu, which are perfect for scene changes or chapter ends. Choose styles that match your genre and aesthetic, such as decorative flourishes for romance or minimalist lines for nonfiction. These ornamental breaks enhance professionalism and visual appeal.

Adding custom images and artwork involves uploading images around 640px for medium illustrations, enabling flow alignment, and adding alt text for accessibility. For illustrated eBooks, GIFs under 640px strike a balance between quality and file size. Test how these visuals display across devices during proof mode to avoid surprises in the final product.

Designing Headers, Footers, and Page Layouts

Header and footer styles can be selected from predefined options or customized for chapter pages. Removing headers on chapter opening pages creates a cleaner look, which aligns with industry standards like KDP. Always verify that headers and footers adhere to trim size specifications. For more on this, see our guide on book manuscript formatting.

Managing margins, page numbers, and spacing involves trusting Vellum’s auto-generated margins that adapt to your selected trim size. Preview the print setup to confirm proper margins and spacing, especially to prevent widows and alignment blocks that can ruin physical book layouts. Adjust line-spacing and font size as needed to ensure readability and aesthetic consistency.

Preparing Your Book for Print and Export

Choosing the correct trim size early influences margin and gutter settings. Vellum automatically adjusts headers and margins for print, but always double-check the physical proof for color accuracy and layout. Proper print setup ensures your physical book looks professional and meets industry standards.

Export options include generating EPUB files for KDP and other retailers, with back matter CTAs, and creating print-ready PDFs with proper bleed and margins. Test these files on multiple devices and printers to verify consistency and quality. Line-spacing and page breaks play crucial roles in ensuring your print book is easy to read and visually balanced.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Import glitches like chapter clumping or out-of-order sections often occur when headings aren’t properly styled. Fix these by converting headings to chapters and removing extra spaces, especially at the start of chapters. Use Vellum’s previewer extensively to test on multiple devices, including the multi-device preview feature, to catch issues early.

Handling images and illustrations can be tricky; resizing images to recommended sizes, such as 640px for medium illustrations, helps prevent formatting ignored issues. For complex or heavy layouts, linking to URLs or simplifying design elements may be necessary, as Vellum’s limitations prevent advanced layouts or block quotations with intricate formatting.

For heavy layouts or advanced design needs, consider tools like Atticus or Automateed, especially since Vellum is Mac-only. Using virtual machines on Windows can be a workaround but isn’t ideal for complex projects. Keep expectations realistic regarding Vellum’s capabilities for heavy illustrations or complex layouts. For more on this, see our guide on book interior formatting.

Latest Industry Standards and Future Trends in Vellum Formatting

In 2027, industry best practices emphasize reflowable EPUBs with consistent headers, no widows or orphans, and accessibility features. Automated widows/orphans control and bleed settings are now standard, and Vellum continuously updates to meet these standards. It’s crucial to stay updated with industry trends for professional formatting.

Recent updates focus on enhanced print automation, support for illustrated eBooks, and faster workflows. With a one-time purchase of around $249, Vellum remains a top choice over free tools, which often lack automation and professional features. These developments position Vellum as a reliable, industry-aligned solution for indie authors aiming for quality and efficiency.

Expert Tips and Final Advice for Mastering Vellum Formatting

Start early by choosing your styles and formatting chapter headings before diving into content. Regularly preview your book on multiple devices, including phones, tablets, and eReaders, to catch layout issues or misalignments.

Update your manuscript and style choices periodically to incorporate feedback and new industry standards. Use official Vellum tutorials and YouTube walkthroughs to learn specific techniques, and consider Automateed as a helpful tool to speed up your workflow for repetitive tasks.

Conclusion

Vellum remains one of the best tools for professional formatting of ebook and print book projects in 2027, especially for indie authors who prioritize speed and quality. Mastering its features—like ornamental breaks, book styles, and header designs—can significantly improve your final product.

With consistent practice and attention to detail, you’ll deliver books that look polished and meet industry standards. Remember, the key to success is understanding both the software’s capabilities and the needs of your audience. For more on this, see our guide on ebook formatting software.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I format a book in Vellum?

To format a book in Vellum, import your manuscript, organize chapters with page breaks, choose appropriate book styles, and customize headers and ornamental breaks. Preview on multiple devices and export EPUB or PDF for publishing.

What are the best Vellum formatting tips?

Use consistent chapter headings, select fitting book styles early, test visuals thoroughly, and preview on various devices. Avoid excessive spacing and always verify print setup before final export.

Can I customize headers and footers in Vellum?

Yes, Vellum allows customization of header and footer styles, with options to remove headers on chapter pages for a cleaner look. Ensure headers adhere to industry standards for print and ebook formats.

What are ornamental breaks in Vellum?

Ornamental breaks are decorative elements used to separate scenes or chapters. Vellum offers 7 built-in options and supports custom images, enhancing visual appeal and professionalism in your book layout.

How to prepare a print-ready file in Vellum?

Choose your trim size early, verify margins and line-spacing, and ensure page breaks are correctly placed. Export PDFs with bleed and margins, then review proofs for color accuracy and layout before printing.