Vellum Software: Create Beautiful Books & Ebooks in 2027

Did you know that over 2.3 million titles were self-published in 2022, fueling demand for professional book formatting tools like Vellum? Whether you’re an indie author or publisher, mastering Vellum can transform your publishing process.

Create beautiful books with Vellum software for macOS

Vellum is a dedicated software designed to turn your manuscript into a professionally formatted ebook and print edition. Built exclusively for macOS, it offers a streamlined workflow that helps authors and publishers produce high-quality digital and print books efficiently.

Its core capabilities include transforming a Word manuscript into multiple formats, supporting EPUB, MOBI, and print-ready PDF files tailored for each retailer such as Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Kobo. When I tested this with my own projects, I found that Vellum’s instant formatting applies styles, headers, and layout elements automatically, saving hours compared to manual formatting.

Understanding Vellum's core capabilities means recognizing its ability to support both ebooks and print interiors from a single manuscript. It supports export for Kindle, Apple Books, Kobo, and generic EPUB files, plus print PDFs suitable for on-demand services like KDP and IngramSpark. This makes it a favorite among self-publishing authors seeking a one‑stop solution for both digital and print.

To import your manuscript efficiently, start with a clean Word file. Use consistent heading styles—Heading 1 for chapters, Heading 2 for sections—to ensure Vellum recognizes chapters correctly. When I prepared my first project, stripping manual page breaks and odd spacing in Word made the import process smoother, reducing manual cleanup later. Once imported, Vellum automatically detects chapters and offers options to customize styles and layout.

Apply styles and formatting to create ebooks for every platform

Designing and customizing styles in Vellum is straightforward. The software offers multiple pre-built styles for headings, ornamental breaks, and drop caps, which you can tweak to match your branding or preferences. I recommend creating style templates for series branding—this ensures consistency across multiple titles and simplifies future updates. For more on this, see our guide on vellum.

Adjusting typography, spacing, and layout for different devices is crucial. Vellum’s real-time preview feature allows you to see how your ebook will appear on Kindle, Apple Books, iPad, and iPhone. This helps identify widows, orphans, or image scaling issues before you generate files for distribution. For example, I often check previews on small screens to ensure chapter titles and scene breaks display cleanly across all devices.

Preview your book across devices by selecting the target platform, which simulates how your ebook will look. This step is vital because a poorly formatted ebook can turn off readers and harm reviews. Device-specific previews help you fine-tune layout and styles, ensuring your book’s professional appearance before publishing.

Add front and back matter to enhance your book's professionalism

Creating front matter such as title pages, copyright notices, and dedications is simple in Vellum. The platform provides tools for designing these pages and automatically generating tables of contents and about-the-author sections. When I worked on my last novel, using styles for chapters and front matter helped maintain visual consistency across the entire book.

Integrating back matter, including author bios, epilogues, or promotional material, is equally straightforward. Vellum allows you to add these sections, optimize layout for both print and digital distribution, and generate ARC files for early reviewers. Properly formatted front and back matter elevate your book’s professionalism and make it more appealing to readers and retailers alike.

Generate files for distribution and print interiors

Exporting files for multiple platforms is one of Vellum’s strongest points. You can create store-specific files optimized for Kindle, Apple Books, Kobo, and Google Play. Additionally, print-ready PDFs with custom trim sizes and margins are generated for print-on-demand services. Maintaining metadata and styling consistency across these formats ensures your branding remains intact across distribution channels. For more on this, see our guide on book marketing software.

For print interiors, configuring margins, headers, and page breaks is essential. Vellum supports separate print and ebook settings, allowing you to optimize each format without compromises. When I formatted a print edition, I adjusted margins and headers for a 6"×9" trim size, ensuring the interior met IngramSpark and KDP standards while keeping the ebook layout clean and readable.

Using Vellum to generate print interiors involves setting appropriate page sizes, margins, and headers, then exporting the print PDF. It’s best to separate print settings from ebook settings to avoid layout issues. This approach guarantees a professional print edition that reflects your manuscript’s quality.

Help and tutorials to master Vellum for professional publishing

Getting started with Vellum can be smooth if you utilize official tutorials, guides, and community resources. The platform’s intuitive interface reduces the learning curve, but I recommend starting with a simple manuscript to familiarize yourself with the import and styling process. Creating style templates for series or branding helps streamline future projects.

Common challenges include the Mac-only limitation and manuscript formatting issues. To address the platform support constraint, I suggest using cloud Mac services like MacStadium or MacInCloud if you’re on Windows. Ensuring your manuscript is clean—free of manual page breaks and inconsistent styles—reduces cleanup time and improves import accuracy. Keeping up with Vellum’s latest updates ensures compatibility with new device formats and standards.

The future of Vellum and industry standards in book formatting

Vellum’s ongoing updates focus on supporting industry standards such as EPUB and retailer-specific requirements. With continual improvements, it now supports new device formats and provides enhanced preview features. Its focus on metadata automation and print support aligns with current industry needs for platform support and professional presentation. For more on this, see our guide on digital book publishing.

Choosing the right tool depends on your publishing goals. Vellum excels for narrative nonfiction, novels, and simple nonfiction. For complex layouts or Windows users, alternatives like Atticus or InDesign may be more suitable. When evaluating tools, consider cost, platform support, and the quality of output—Vellum remains a top choice for many independent authors and small publishers.

Conclusion: Elevate your publishing with professional formatting

Vellum simplifies the complex process of formatting ebooks and print editions, making it accessible even for those without extensive technical skills. Its ability to create platform support files, preview on multiple devices, and produce print-ready interiors helps authors and publishers deliver polished books to readers.

Investing in Vellum can save you time, improve your book’s appearance, and increase your chances of success in a competitive market. As the industry continues to evolve, mastering professional formatting tools like Vellum ensures your books meet current standards and stand out visually across all platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Vellum software used for?

Vellum is used to transform your manuscript into professionally formatted ebooks and print editions. It supports creating files optimized for Kindle, Apple Books, Kobo, and print-on-demand services, streamlining the publishing process.

Is Vellum only for Mac?

Yes, as of 2025, Vellum is a Mac-only platform support software. For Windows users, options include cloud Mac services or alternative formatting tools like Atticus or InDesign. For more on this, see our guide on fiction writing software.

Does Vellum support print and ebook formatting?

Absolutely. Vellum handles both ebook formats such as EPUB and MOBI, and print interiors in PDF format. It allows you to create a print edition with proper margins, headers, and page breaks tailored for print-on-demand distribution.

How much does Vellum cost?

Vellum offers a premium, one-time license model, with pricing depending on whether you want ebook-only or both ebook and print support. Costs vary, but investing in Vellum can be worthwhile if you publish multiple titles, as it saves significant formatting time.

How do I import my manuscript into Vellum?

Start with a clean Word document formatted with consistent styles. Then, import the manuscript into Vellum, which will automatically detect chapters based on the headings. From there, you can customize styles and layout before exporting.

Can I preview my book before publishing?

Yes, Vellum offers real-time previews for various devices, including Kindle, iPad, iPhone, and print trim sizes. This helps ensure your ebook and print interior look professional across all platforms before you generate files for distribution.