It’s official. As of August 1, KDP no longer accepts files in the MOBI format. If you try to upload one, you’ll receive an error stating “Reflowable mobi input is not supported.”
To publish your ebook with KDP, you’ll need to upload Vellum’s Kindle EPUB output. Details can be found in our earlier post: Changes at KDP.
With its wide reach and years of experience, IngramSpark is an important option for print-on-demand.
That’s why we’re excited about Vellum 2.8.5, featuring an all-new PDF system that makes it easier to use IngramSpark for your paperbacks and hardcovers.
Vellum now creates files in the PDF/X-1a format, an industry standard for print-on-demand. That means the PDFs you create with Vellum will be immediately accepted by IngramSpark: no warnings, no waivers. (Though we still recommend ordering a proof!)
Vellum’s new PDF system is enabled for every PDF you create. No extra configuration is necessary. And Vellum’s PDFs still work great at Amazon KDP, the most popular option for print-on-demand.
Vellum 2.8.5 is a free update and requires macOS Mojave or newer.
To get Vellum 2.8.5, use Check for Updates. Or download Vellum from vellum.pub.
As you may have heard, Amazon KDP will stop accepting MOBI files on June 28 August 1, 2021. Instead, you’ll need to upload your ebook in the EPUB format.
Vellum has you covered. In fact, we’ve been continually making changes to Vellum’s Kindle output as Amazon has moved away from MOBI files. Here are some tips for publishing or updating your ebook at KDP:
Use Check for Updates to confirm you have the latest version of Vellum (at time of writing: 2.8.4). Current versions of Vellum produce an EPUB file for Kindle, ready for KDP.
When uploading your ebook to KDP, always use Vellum’s Kindle-specific EPUB file. (Vellum’s Generic EPUB output is not intended for Amazon.)
To review your ebook before publishing, you can use Amazon’s Kindle Previewer tool, which will open EPUB files created for Kindle.
You’ll need an EPUB file for KDP, but you may still want a MOBI to send to an advance reader. If so, you can configure Kindle Ebook Formats to generate a Kindle.epub file for publishing and a Kindle.mobi file to send to readers.
Vellum currently requires macOS Mojave or newer.
If your Mac is running Sierra or High Sierra, you won’t be able to update to Vellum 2.8. You still have the option to create an EPUB file in Preferences, though: you just won’t have the option to generate both at once.
If your Mac is using El Capitan, please contact us for options.
You’ll find more information about this change at Amazon in their FAQ.
Have a question not covered there? Let us know!
Update 6/28/21: Amazon has shifted this deadline from June 28 to August 1, 2021
Update 8/2/21: As promised, KDP no longer accepts mobi files
Vellum 2.8.4 is a minor update that includes these improvements:
This release is a free update, available now.
Vellum 2.8.3 is a minor update with many improvements, including:
This release is a free update, available now.
Vellum is now optimized for Apple’s M1, the chip found in new Macs arriving later this week.
Vellum 2.8.2 is a universal app, so it will run natively on both existing Macs and on those using the new M1. And on the M1, Vellum is fast, with significant speedups for importing, previewing, and generating books. If you’ve purchased a new Mac, be sure to update to Vellum 2.8.2, available now.
Apple has released macOS Big Sur, featuring a brand new look for your Mac. If you upgrade your Mac to Big Sur, make sure you’re running the latest version of Vellum (2.8.1), which has been updated for this new release of macOS. You can do that using Check for Updates.
Apple also announced brand new Macs featuring the all-new M1 processor. If you’re planning to purchase one of these new models, you can look forward to a version of Vellum optimized for the M1, coming early next week.
Update 11/17/20: Vellum 2.8.2 is now available, and is optimized for the M1.
Vellum 2.8.1 is a minor update with the following improvements:
This release is a free update, available now.