What is the ZDL file format?
.zdl files are associated with Avery DesignPro, a professional label design software developed by Avery Dennison for Windows. The files store basic label data such as size and layout, as well as:
- graphics and images,
- EAN barcodes,
- text,
- text formatting settings,
- links to mail-merge records (managed through a companion .zdb file).
DesignPro allows users to design professional labels for virtually any product. It offers a rich library of label templates in .zdl format covering gift cards, envelopes, business cards, dividers, price tag labels, and T-shirt prints.
All versions of Avery DesignPro support .zdl files. Some versions, however, use different formats as their default:
- .zdp (DesignPro 3.5 - 4.0),
- .zds (DesignPro 5.1 and later),
- .avery (Avery Design & Print, the successor to DesignPro).
Avery DesignPro is now a legacy desktop application. Avery's current platform - the browser-based Avery Design & Print at design.avery.com - does not directly open .zdl files, so migrating older designs may require access to the original DesignPro software.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWA .zdl is an inert layout document with no executable code, so the file itself is low risk. The real cautions are about sourcing the software: Avery DesignPro is legacy, so 'DesignPro download' searches can lead to third-party sites bundling adware/PUPs - get it only from avery.com, or use the official browser-based Avery Design & Print. The files are safe to share.
Format details
in a nutshellPrograms that open ZDL files
Windows2 apps
Avery DesignPro
Free Open the .zdl in Avery DesignPro (the program that created it). DesignPro is legacy - if the official download is unavailable, the modern path is Avery Design & Print online, which cannot open .zdl directly. Verify the download before recommending. 
Avery Design & Print (online successor)
Free Avery's current browser-based label/card designer. It is the modern replacement but does NOT directly open old .zdl files - use it to re-create designs, not to open existing ones. Technical details
deep spec| File encoding | Proprietary binary; no published specification or magic bytes |
| Developer | Avery Dennison (Avery / Avery Zweckform) |
| Platform | Windows |
| MIME type | application/octet-stream |
| Typical file size | Tens of KB to a few MB, depending on embedded images |
| Companion file | `.zdb` - stores mail-merge data linked to the label design |
| Stored content | Text objects, graphics/images, EAN barcodes, font settings, label layout and dimensions |
| Template basis | Each design is tied to a specific Avery label/card product template; dimensions are template-bound |
| Color depth | 24-bit typical, matching placed images |
| Mail-merge support | Yes - field placeholders in the design link to records in the associated `.zdb` file |
| Compression | Internal (proprietary, undocumented) |
| Version compatibility | File version is tied to the DesignPro release that saved it; later DesignPro versions can typically open earlier `.zdl` files |
| Superseded by | Avery Design & Print (browser-based at design.avery.com); does not natively import `.zdl` files |
| Released | Avery DesignPro (desktop label software, 2000s) |
ZDL conversions
Community Q&A
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