SparkPrep vs Vellum vs Atticus: which one gets your book printed?
Updated October 28, 2026 · Book formatting software compared
Vellum and Atticus are popular formatting apps, and both make good-looking interiors. Here's what each one covers, and what's left for you to do.
Side by side
| Vellum | Atticus | SparkPrep | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.99 ebook only, $249.99 with paperback | $147 | Designing is free; one price per book for the print-ready files |
| Runs on | Mac only | Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook, browser | Any browser, any computer |
| Interior formatting | Yes | Yes | Yes (Interior Studio, Word import) |
| Full cover design (front, spine, back) | No | No | Yes (Cover Studio, sized to your printer) |
| Checks your files against KDP / IngramSpark rules and fixes them | Not what it's built for | Not what it's built for | Yes: bleed, margins, spine, ink, fonts, DPI |
| Fix a book made somewhere else | No, you rebuild it inside the app | No, you rebuild it inside the app | Yes, upload your existing PDF |
Vellum and Atticus prices and platforms from Kindlepreneur's comparison, updated September 2026. Check each vendor for current prices.
What that means for you
With Vellum or Atticus you still need a cover from somewhere, and you still find out about printer problems when the rejection arrives. Vellum also needs a Mac.
SparkPrep covers the whole path: design the cover and pages for free, then check and fix both against your printer's own rules in minutes. Already formatted in Vellum or Atticus? Upload that PDF to SparkPrep for the printer check.
The bottom line: price and time
| Hire a professional cover designer and interior formatter | SparkPrep | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | About $930 for the cover plus about $800 for the inside pages: around $1,730 | One price per book for the cover, the inside pages, or both |
| Time | Book a freelancer, wait for their schedule, then go back and forth on changes | Upload and get your fixed, print-ready files in minutes |
| Printer check | Depends on the freelancer | Checked against your printer's own rules, every time |
Freelancer prices are Reedsy's own published figures (source). A great designer is worth it for original artwork. If you just need your files right for the printer, you don't need to pay designer prices.
Get it done in minutes
Don't buy software, learn it, and still risk a rejection. Design free in SparkPrep and get a cover and interior your printer accepts, in minutes.
Try SparkPrep freeQuick answers
How much does Vellum cost?
Vellum costs $199.99 for ebooks only and $249.99 with paperback formatting, and it runs only on Mac.
Does Atticus or Vellum make book covers?
No. Both format the inside of your book. You need a separate tool or designer for the full wrap cover. SparkPrep's Cover Studio designs the front, spine and back sized to your printer.
More guides
- Should you hire a freelancer to format your book? Cost, speed and risk compared
- SparkPrep vs hiring on Reedsy: what it really costs and how long it takes
- New to self-publishing? Why your book needs a preflight check before you upload
- All guides
SparkPrep is an independent tool and is not affiliated with Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble Press or Lulu.