Vellum review
A focused Mac app for turning Word manuscripts into polished ebook and print files.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Vellum is a macOS desktop application for authors formatting books for self-publishing. It imports DOCX manuscripts, applies book styles, and creates files for ebook and print editions. Its workflow covers EPUB 3 and EPUB 2 output, PDF/X-1a print files, paperback and hardcover layouts, automatic title pages and tables of contents, and controls for typography, trim size, margins, bleed, page numbers, headers, and footers. It is particularly suited to Mac-based authors who want a dedicated book-formatting tool rather than a general desktop publishing application.
The freemium model provides a way to download and use the application without time limits, while publishing-file generation requires a paid license. Vellum Ebooks supports unlimited ebooks, and Vellum Press supports unlimited ebooks and paperbacks, including paperback or hardcover print editions. This plan split makes the product easier to evaluate before committing, while Press is the relevant option for authors preparing both digital and physical books.
Vellum’s strongest differentiator is its book-specific output workflow. Users can preview ebook and print editions, optimize and compress images, validate EPUB files with EPUBCheck, and assess accessible output. It also supports full-bleed pages and detailed print-layout settings, giving authors control over both reflowable ebooks and fixed print files. The main constraint is platform access: Vellum runs on macOS, while Windows users need to access a rented cloud Mac rather than use a native Windows version. Choose Vellum for focused book production on a Mac; choose another tool if native Windows support or broader page-layout capabilities is essential.
Vellum pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Imports DOCX manuscripts and creates EPUB and PDF/X-1a files
- Previews ebook, paperback, and hardcover editions before export
- Includes trim, bleed, validation, and accessible-output controls
- Where it doesn't
- Runs only on macOS
- Paid license is required to generate publishing files
- Focused on book formatting rather than broad page-layout work
Vellum fact sheet, pricing and score →
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