What is the BIZ file format?
A .biz file is a proprietary desktop-publishing project created by The Print Shop, a consumer layout application originally developed by Broderbund Software. It stores a complete business card design including layout data, text formatting, fonts, and embedded imagery, sized to the standard 3.5 × 2 inch business card.
The file uses the OLE2 Compound Document format (Microsoft Compound File Binary), identifiable by the D0 CF 11 E0 magic bytes at offset 0 - the same container used by legacy .doc, .xls, and .pub files. Inside, application-specific binary streams hold the design content; the internal structure is not publicly documented.
Broderbund's consumer software line was eventually acquired by Encore Software. The Print Shop 5.0, released in 2020, is the current version; it is unclear whether it still writes .biz or has migrated to a newer container format. PrintMaster, another Broderbund/Encore product, also used .biz for business card files.
Older .biz files from significantly earlier versions (Print Shop 12, 15) may not open correctly in the current application due to version-coupled internal structures. No third-party tools can read .biz files outside of The Print Shop family.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWOLE2 document format; historically some OLE2 files have carried macro-based malware, but The Print Shop project files do not support scripting. Low risk.
Format details
in a nutshell- Microsoft BizTalk Server Schema File - BizTalk Server (Microsoft middleware) uses .biz for XML-based business schema definitions - a completely separate, enterprise software use.
Programs that open BIZ files
Windows2 apps
The Print Shop
Paid File → Open, select .biz file. Version compatibility depends on which Print Shop version created the file.
PrintMaster
Paid Open .biz file through File → Open. PrintMaster shares file compatibility with The Print Shop for business card projects. 
macOS1 app
The Print Shop (Mac, older versions)
Paid Older macOS versions of The Print Shop could open .biz files; verify with current version. Technical details
deep spec| Container format | OLE2 Compound Document (Microsoft Compound File Binary Format, CFBF) |
| Magic bytes | D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1 at offset 0 (OLE2 compound document signature) |
| Encoding | Binary, little-endian |
| Embedded image depth | 24-bit (raster images stored in OLE2 streams) |
| Fixed output dimensions | 3.5 × 2 inches (88.9 × 50.8 mm) - standard business card |
| Version coupling | Internal format tied to Print Shop major version; older files may not open in newer releases |
| Typical file size | 100 KB - 5 MB (depending on embedded images) |
| Associated OS | Windows (primary); macOS supported in older versions only |
| Specification | Not publicly documented; proprietary Broderbund/Encore format |
| Related product | PrintMaster (also Broderbund/Encore) also produced .biz business card files |
| Current release | The Print Shop 5.0 (2020); migration to updated format uncertain |
| Third-party tool support | None - only The Print Shop family can open .biz files |
| Released | ~1998-2002 (The Print Shop 12-15 era) |
| Latest version | The Print Shop 5.0 (2020) - compatibility uncertain |
BIZ conversions
Community Q&A
asked by usersNo questions yet - be the first to ask about BIZ files.
