Kindle Create vs Vellum: Free vs Paid Formatting

Last reviewed by Robert Prime — June 2026

Self-publishing authors in the UK face a bewildering array of choices when it comes to formatting their books for Kindle and print. Two of the most talked-about tools are Kindle Create and Vellum—one free, one premium, both promising professional results but with very different approaches.

As someone who has wrestled with formatting headaches for years—spending countless hours and over £130 on poor freelancers before building publishing.co.uk—I want to cut through the noise. This article is a deep, UK-focused, no-nonsense comparison that will save you time.

If you’re a UK author preparing a manuscript for Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or print on demand, the choice between Kindle Create and Vellum matters more than you might think.

Kindle Create is Amazon’s own free tool designed for Kindle ebook and paperback formatting. It’s accessible, but has limitations in design flexibility and export options. Vellum, on the other hand, is a macOS-only paid software widely praised for its elegant book formatting capabilities across multiple platforms, including Kindle, Apple Books, and print. It costs a pretty penny upfront but offers refined control and professional output.

The publishing industry is still archaic: I remember when I was formatting Google. Panic. Repeat.—a deeply personal best-seller about my health anxiety. Despite my technical background, I spent hours navigating file formats quirks. I paid £130 to a freelancer for formatting; the result was a shambles. I turned to Kindle Create and Vellum, and it became clear these tools weren’t created equal—and neither are their price tags.

Side-by-side screenshot comparison of Kindle Create and Vellum user interfaces

Key Definitions

• EPUB: The standard ebook file format readable on most devices including Kindle (via conversion).
• MOBI: An older ebook format used by Kindle; now largely replaced by Kindle Format 8 (KF8).
• Trim Size: The physical size of the printed book. Critical for print formatting.
• Bleed: Printing term where images extend beyond the trim edge; necessary for some print designs.
• Table of Contents (TOC): Hyperlinked navigation in ebooks and print, essential for usability and KDP acceptance.

Step-by-Step Guide

Kindle Create Workflow

1. Download and Install Kindle Create from Amazon’s official site. It’s Windows and macOS compatible.
2. Import your manuscript, preferably in DOCX format. Kindle Create supports DOC and DOCX but not PDFs or EPUBs.
3. Choose a Theme: Kindle Create offers a limited set of formatting themes tailored for novels and textbooks.
4. Edit and Preview: Use the built-in preview to see how your book looks on Kindle devices and apps.
5. Generate Table of Contents: Kindle Create auto-generates a clickable TOC based on your headings.
6. Export: Output is a KPF file ready for direct upload to KDP. No need to convert further.

Detailed Menu Path Examples in Kindle Create

• Import Manuscript: Go to File > Open and select your DOCX file.
• Manage Chapters: Navigate to Edit > Manage Chapters to insert or adjust chapter breaks.
• Preview: Use View > Preview to select device types like Kindle Paperwhite or Fire tablet.
• Export: Click File > Export, save your KPF file, and upload directly to KDP.

Vellum Workflow (macOS only)

1. Purchase and Download Vellum from the official website; a free trial lets you preview formatting but watermarks exports.
2. Import Manuscript: Supports DOCX files; you import your raw manuscript into Vellum.
3. Format Your Book: Vellum provides extensive style options—drop caps, chapter styles, custom headers, block quotes, and more.
4. Generate TOC: Vellum creates a professional, hyperlinked TOC for ebooks and print automatically.
5. Export Options: Export to Kindle (KPF), EPUB for Apple Books, PDF for print, and more.
6. Upload to KDP or other distributors: The exported files are KDP-ready with clean coding and formatting.

Detailed Menu Path Examples in Vellum

• Import Manuscript: Select File > Import Manuscript and choose your DOCX file.
• Adjust Styles: Open Format > Styles to customise drop caps, paragraph styles, and chapter headings.
• Edit TOC: Use Contents > Edit Table of Contents to reorder or rename chapters.
• Export: Navigate to File > Export, select your desired formats (Kindle, EPUB, PDF), and save.

Pricing in GBP and Market Context

Unlike US-centric guides, UK authors face unique pricing hurdles. Nielsen is the exclusive ISBN agency here, charging £93 for a single ISBN or £174 for a block of 10 as of 2026. Many UK authors overlook this when budgeting for self-publishing, as free KDP ISBNs list Amazon as the publisher, which can restrict your rights and control.

When you purchase your ISBNs from Nielsen, you own your publishing metadata, maintain your imprint’s integrity, and ease distribution to UK bookshops. It’s a small price to pay for control over your work.

Regarding formatting tools:

• Kindle Create is free but limited in advanced formatting features.
• Vellum charges a one-off licence fee of approximately $199 USD (~£160) for ebook export only, and $249 USD (~£200) if you want print (paperback/hardcover) formatting too. Apple’s macOS-only restriction means Windows users must find alternatives or use virtual machines (which adds cost and complexity). Over 750,000 self-published books exist in the UK, up 68% in five years. This growth puts pressure on authors to produce professional-quality books that compete with traditional publishers, making formatting tools and services crucial.

The UK’s market nuances include:

• Distribution Channels: UK authors often seek IngramSpark or local printers in addition to KDP Print to reach bookstores and libraries. Print formatting flexibility is essential.
• VAT on Ebooks: Unlike print books, ebooks attract the full 20% VAT in the UK, affecting pricing strategy and net royalties.

Print Considerations for UK Authors

UK print standards differ slightly from US ones. For example, common UK paperback trim sizes include 198 x 129 mm (B-format), whereas US sizes are usually 6 x 9 inches (152 x 229 mm). Vellum offers flexible trim size options, but Kindle Create is more rigid, which can be a problem for UK print distribution.

If you want your book stocked in UK bookshops or distributed via wholesalers like Gardners or Bertrams, using Nielsen ISBNs and print files formatted to UK trim sizes is essential. Vellum’s advanced print layout features support bleed text, all critical to professional print presentation.

Mistake #1: Using Free KDP ISBNs Without Consideration

Many UK authors grab free ISBNs from KDP, unaware it lists Amazon as the publisher. This removes your control over metadata and rights. Paying Nielsen for ISBNs is a better business decision, even if it’s an upfront cost.

My Experience: I once advised a UK author who had used free KDP ISBNs for their entire backlist. When they tried to switch distributors to widen reach, the metadata was locked to Amazon, causing a logistical nightmare that cost weeks of rework.

Mistake #2: Expecting Kindle Create to Handle Complex Formatting

Kindle Create is fine for simple novels, but it chokes on complex layouts like tables, bullet lists, or non-fiction elements. I saw this firsthand when formatting a non-fiction title for a client—the tool simply couldn't handle their tables and footnotes, forcing us to switch to Vellum.

Mistake #3: Ignoring UK Print Trim Sizes and Bleed Settings

Kindle Create’s limited print options can cause issues with UK distributors other than KDP Print. If you want to get your book stocked in UK bookshops or through IngramSpark, Vellum is better suited due to its advanced print formatting capabilities.

Mistake #4: Overpaying for Low-Quality Formatting Services

Before founding publishing.co.

• ISBNs: Consider buying your own via Nielsen to keep control.
• Proof Copies: Print proofing costs from £3-£6 per copy via KDP or IngramSpark.
• VAT: Remember, ebooks attract 20% VAT in the UK, while print books are zero-rated.

Comparisons with Alternative Approaches

While Kindle Create and Vellum dominate conversations, several alternatives deserve mention:

• Atticus: A newer cross-platform tool gaining traction for combining writing and formatting. Priced competitively, it supports UK trim sizes and exports multiple formats. Good middle ground for Windows and Mac users.
• Reedsy Book Editor: Free and online, easy for beginners but limited in print layout flexibility. Great for simple ebooks but not for professional UK print standards.
• Hiring a UK-Based Formatter: Outsourcing can deliver high-quality, tailored files but costs £130+ and requires vetting. Beware freelancers unfamiliar with KDP’s quirks or UK print trim sizes.
• DIY with Scrivener + Calibre: For tech-savvy authors, writing in Scrivener and converting via Calibre is possible but requires patience and technical know-how.

Quick verdict

Use this if:

• You're publishing your first 1-3 books and want a fast workflow
• You don't want to learn complex software
• Cross-platform compatibility matters

Skip it if:

• You're publishing 10+ books and need granular control
• Your books have complex layouts (cookbooks, picture books)
• You already have a workflow that works

Best alternative: depends on your priority — speed (paid tool), price (free Calibre), or polish (paid service).

Frequently asked questions

Is Vellum free?

No - Vellum is a one-time paid purchase (around $199-$249 / £160-£200) and runs on macOS only; there is no free version. The free option for KDP is Amazon's Kindle Create, covered throughout this guide - it costs nothing but is Amazon-only with limited design control.

What's the cheapest viable option for serious self-publishing?

Calibre (free) for conversion, Atticus (£147 one-off, cross-platform) for layout, Canva Pro (£11.99/month) for cover. Total: under £200 for full workflow.

Should I learn the tool myself or pay someone to format for me?

If you'll publish 3+ books and enjoy software, learn the tool — it'll save thousands long-term. If this is a one-off launch, paying a formatter (£100-£300) is faster and avoids the 20-30 hour learning curve.

Does the tool affect KDP acceptance?

Indirectly. Tools that produce cleaner output (Vellum, Atticus) reduce KDP rejection rates. Calibre conversions and DIY Word formatting cause about 40% of formatting rejections in our queue.

Can I switch tools mid-project?

Most tools let you export to DOCX. You lose tool-specific features (snapshots, dynamic captions) but the manuscript transfers. Re-formatting in the new tool typically takes 2-4 hours.

About this guide

Written by Robert Prime for publishing.co.uk. Last reviewed May 2026. Specs and pricing change — verify current figures with the linked sources before relying on them.

Related guides

• Vellum Vs Atticus
• Kindle Create Review
• White Vs Cream Paper
• Self Publishing Vs Traditional Uk
• Reedsy Vs Scrivener

External references

• Amazon's official spec is at KDP's Help Centre.