PDF/X-1a

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.

Make sure you are up-to-date

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.

Upload Vellum’s Kindle output

When uploading your ebook to KDP, always use Vellum’s Kindle-specific EPUB file. (Vellum’s Generic EPUB output is not intended for Amazon.)

Use Kindle Previewer to review your book

To review your ebook before publishing, you can use Amazon’s Kindle Previewer tool, which will open EPUB files created for Kindle.

Vellum can still create a MOBI file

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.

Can’t update to 2.8? You have options

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!