Vellum
Vellum is Mac software for creating and formatting books for ebook and print publication.
What Vellum is
Vellum is Mac software for creating and formatting books for ebook and print publication. It produces ebooks for Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, and other stores; Vellum Press can also make paperback and hardcover editions with automatic margins, page numbers, headers, and footers. Authors can import DOCX manuscripts made with Word, Scrivener, or Pages, then select styles with options such as drop caps and embedded fonts or add ornaments and backgrounds. The software previews ebook and print layouts and can generate both editions together, keeping them in sync after edits. Listed ebook output includes EPUB 2 and EPUB 3 files and ACE-approved accessible output. Print options include 24 trim sizes plus large print, full-bleed pages and backgrounds, and PDF/X-1a output. The free download has no time limit for importing, exploring styles, and previewing, but generating publication files requires purchase. Vellum Ebooks costs $199.99, paid once for unlimited ebooks; Vellum Press costs $249.99, paid once for unlimited ebooks and paperbacks. It requires macOS 13 or newer and supports Apple silicon and Intel Macs.
Good
- Creates ebooks and print editions
- Imports DOCX files from Word, Scrivener, and Pages
- Free download allows unlimited previewing
- Updates are free
Watch out
- Runs only on Mac with macOS 13 or newer
- Publishing files requires purchase
- Licenses cannot be shared with another person
Who it suits
Vellum suits authors formatting books for ebook stores or preparing ebook and print editions together. It is for Mac users running macOS 13 or newer.
Verdict
Vellum brings ebook formatting and print preparation into one Mac application, with a free way to preview before buying. Choose between the ebook-only and Press licenses based on whether paperback output is needed.
Plans and prices
From Vellum's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Vellum Ebooks | $199.99, paid once | Unlimited ebooks · One-time purchase |
| Vellum Press | $249.99, paid once | Unlimited ebooks + paperbacks · One-time purchase |
The facts
Each one read from Vellum's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Accessible files
- The product page lists validated EPUB 3 and EPUB 2 files and ACE-approved accessible output.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Ebook output
- It creates platform-specific ebooks for Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, and other stores.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License limits
- A license permits unlimited books and pen names, can be installed on another computer the owner has, and cannot be shared with another person.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Manuscript import
- Vellum imports DOCX files, including files created with Word, Scrivener, and Pages.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Preview and generation
- Vellum previews ebook and print appearance and can generate both editions together, keeping them in sync after edits.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Print features
- Print features include 24 trim sizes plus large print, full-bleed pages and backgrounds, and PDF/X-1a output.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Print output
- Vellum Press can create paperback and hardcover print editions with automatic margins, page numbers, headers, and footers.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Vellum says its anonymous usage analytics exclude personal and book content, can be disabled, and that it never transmits book contents.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Vellum is software for creating and formatting books.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- Vellum says it uses secure encryption when transmitting information and does not sell personal information to third parties.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Styles
- Users can choose book styles with drop caps, embedded fonts, and flourishes, and add custom ornaments and backgrounds.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker offers help pages and a contact option for questions.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Updates and refunds
- Updates are free, and a purchase can be canceled for a refund within 30 days.checked 4 Oct 2026
Money
- Free use
- The free download can be used without a time limit to import, explore styles, and preview, but generating files for publishing requires purchase.checked 4 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Platform
- Vellum runs only on Mac, requires macOS 13 or newer, and supports Apple silicon and Intel Macs.checked 4 Oct 2026
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