Freedom251 › Desktop Publishing Software

Vellum

Name: Vellum
Price: 199.99 USD

Free plan Mac

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 also prepares paperback and hardcover editions with automatic margins, page numbers, headers, and footers. Import DOCX manuscripts created with Word, Scrivener, or Pages, then choose styles with features such as drop caps and embedded fonts or add custom ornaments and backgrounds. Vellum previews ebook and print layouts and can generate both editions together, keeping them in sync after edits. Listed ebook outputs include EPUB 2 and EPUB 3, along with 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 can be used indefinitely to import, explore styles, and preview, but publishing files requires a 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.

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.

What it does well

Creates ebooks for major listed stores
Paperback and hardcover output with Vellum Press
DOCX import from Word, Scrivener, and Pages
Free download supports previewing without a time limit
Updates are free

What to know first

Runs only on Mac
Requires macOS 13 or newer
Publishing files requires a purchase

Limits

The free download supports importing, style exploration, and previewing without a time limit, but generating files for publishing requires a purchase. Vellum Ebooks covers unlimited ebooks; paperback output is included with Vellum Press.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Vellum Ebooks	One-time purchase · Unlimited ebooks	$199.99, paid once
Vellum Press	One-time purchase · Unlimited ebooks + paperbacks	$249.99, paid once

As vellum.pub lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit https://vellum.pub/ and download Vellum for Mac.
Use the free download to import a DOCX manuscript and explore styles or previews.
Choose Vellum Ebooks for unlimited ebook output or Vellum Press for ebooks and paperbacks.
Purchase the selected one-time license to generate files for publishing.

Verdict

Vellum offers book-specific layout and preview tools for ebook and print editions, with a free download for exploring before purchase. Its Mac-only requirement and separate one-time purchase plans are important to weigh.

Questions

Is there a free plan?

Yes. The free download has no time limit and allows manuscript import, style exploration, and previews. Generating files for publishing requires a purchase.

How much does Vellum cost?

Vellum Ebooks costs $199.99, paid once as a one-time purchase. Vellum Press costs $249.99, paid once as a one-time purchase.

What platforms does Vellum support?

Vellum runs on macOS 13 or newer and supports Apple silicon and Intel Macs.

What does Vellum Press include?

Vellum Press provides unlimited ebooks and paperbacks. Vellum can create paperback and hardcover print editions.

Can Vellum import a manuscript?

Yes. It imports DOCX files, including documents created with Word, Scrivener, and Pages.

Can I share a Vellum license?

A license can be installed on another computer that its owner has, but it cannot be shared with another person.

Facts from Vellum's own pages

Accessible files: The product page lists validated EPUB 3 and EPUB 2 files and ACE-approved accessible output. · vellum.pub, 4 Oct 2026
Ebook output: It creates platform-specific ebooks for Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, and other stores. · vellum.pub, 4 Oct 2026
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. · help.vellum.pub, 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. · help.vellum.pub, 4 Oct 2026
Manuscript import: Vellum imports DOCX files, including files created with Word, Scrivener, and Pages. · help.vellum.pub, 4 Oct 2026
Platform: Vellum runs only on Mac, requires macOS 13 or newer, and supports Apple silicon and Intel Macs. · help.vellum.pub, 4 Oct 2026
Preview and generation: Vellum previews ebook and print appearance and can generate both editions together, keeping them in sync after edits. · vellum.pub, 4 Oct 2026
Print features: Print features include 24 trim sizes plus large print, full-bleed pages and backgrounds, and PDF/X-1a output. · vellum.pub, 4 Oct 2026
Print output: Vellum Press can create paperback and hardcover print editions with automatic margins, page numbers, headers, and footers. · vellum.pub, 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. · vellum.pub, 4 Oct 2026
Purpose: Vellum is software for creating and formatting books. · vellum.pub, 4 Oct 2026
Security: Vellum says it uses secure encryption when transmitting information and does not sell personal information to third parties. · vellum.pub, 4 Oct 2026
Styles: Users can choose book styles with drop caps, embedded fonts, and flourishes, and add custom ornaments and backgrounds. · vellum.pub, 4 Oct 2026
Support: The maker offers help pages and a contact option for questions. · help.vellum.pub, 4 Oct 2026
Updates and refunds: Updates are free, and a purchase can be canceled for a refund within 30 days. · help.vellum.pub, 4 Oct 2026