How to Use Vellum for Book Formatting: The Indie Author's Guide
Vellum is the gold standard for indie book formatting — producing beautiful ebook and print interiors that rival traditional publishing. This guide walks you through importing, styling, configuring, and exporting with Vellum, plus how to pair professional formatting with a strong review strategy to maximize your launch ROI.
Vellum vs. Atticus vs. Word
| Tool | Price | Platform | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vellum | $200 (Pro) | Mac only | Professional authors who want the best output |
| Atticus | $147 | Mac + Windows | Windows authors or budget-conscious authors |
| Microsoft Word | Subscription | Mac + Windows | First-time authors, simple manuscripts |
| Kindle Create | Free | Mac + Windows | Amazon-only ebook, no print formatting |
Step-by-Step Vellum Guide
Import your manuscript
Open Vellum and drag your Word (.docx) or rich text (.rtf) file onto the import area. Vellum automatically detects chapter headings (using Heading 1 styles), scene breaks (three asterisks or hash marks), and front/back matter sections. Clean up any import issues in the editor.
Choose your book style
Select a Vellum style from the Style Gallery. Each style controls: ornament/divider type, chapter heading font, body font, drop cap style, and series title page appearance. Match your style to genre conventions — romance uses script-accented styles, thriller uses clean minimal styles.
Configure front and back matter
Add: Title page, Copyright page, Dedication (optional), Table of Contents (for non-fiction), Author's Note (optional), About the Author, Also By [Author], and a link to your newsletter signup. Vellum auto-generates the TOC for ebook formats. Ensure your Copyright page includes the year and rights statement.
Preview across device sizes
Use Vellum's device preview to check your book on iPhone, iPad, Kindle Paperwhite, and Kindle Fire. Verify: chapter headings render correctly, drop caps display properly, images (if any) scale well, and the reading experience flows naturally across all devices.
Generate and export your files
For ebooks: Generate ePub (for Apple Books, Kobo, Draft2Digital) and Mobi/KFX (for Amazon KDP). For print: Generate PDF with the trim size matching your KDP or IngramSpark specifications. Vellum Pro generates all formats simultaneously. Upload to your publishing platform immediately after export.
Vellum Style by Genre
Romance
Recommended: Script Flourish, Classic Serif
Use ornamental dividers; drop caps work well with romantic aesthetics
Fantasy
Recommended: Illuminated, Old World
Decorative chapter headers signal epic scope; avoid overly modern clean styles
Thriller/Mystery
Recommended: Clean Minimal, Modern Sans
Sleek typography matches genre's pace; avoid ornate decorations
Non-fiction
Recommended: Professional Sans, Academic
Clear hierarchy matters more than decoration; use Vellum's TOC features
Great Formatting + Reviews = Maximum Conversion
Vellum ensures your book looks professional — no reader will leave a review complaining about formatting. But reviews are the second pillar of Amazon conversion. iWrity's ARC platform builds your review foundation before launch, so your beautifully formatted book has the social proof to match.
Build Your Review Foundation →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vellum worth $200 for indie authors?+
Vellum is worth it if you publish multiple books and care about interior quality. It's a one-time purchase that pays back quickly: professional formatting raises perceived book quality, reduces reader complaints about formatting issues in reviews, and saves 3–6 hours per book compared to manual Word formatting. Most professional indie authors consider it essential.
Does Vellum work on Windows?+
Vellum is Mac-only. Windows authors have two alternatives: Atticus ($147, cross-platform, nearly as capable) or using Vellum through a Mac rental service like MacInCloud. If you're committed to Windows, Atticus is the most direct Vellum equivalent.
What file format does Vellum export for KDP?+
For Amazon KDP, Vellum exports a Kindle Package Format (.kfx) file and a Mobi file. KDP accepts both, though KFX is preferred for newer Kindle devices. For print, Vellum exports a PDF at your specified trim size. KDP accepts standard trim sizes including 5×8, 5.5×8.5, and 6×9 inches.
Can Vellum format print books as well as ebooks?+
Yes. Vellum handles both ebook (ePub, Mobi/KFX) and print (PDF) formatting. The print layouts include proper margins, gutters, headers/footers, and spine-appropriate typography. Vellum Pro includes all print formats; the basic Vellum license covers ebooks only.