What is MIME type "application/x-vnd.corel.designer.document+zip"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

application/x-vnd.corel.designer.document+zip is the MIME type used for Corel Designer documents.
It wraps a design project in a compressed archive using the ZIP standard. This allows for all design elements—such as vector graphics, text, embedded images, and layout data—to be stored together efficiently.
Files using this format are identified by the DES file extension.
Main uses:

Combining multiple design resources into one compressed package
Storing layered vector artwork and complex page layouts
Facilitating file sharing in professional design workflows
Embedding necessary assets (images, fonts, styles) to maintain document integrity

This MIME type supports the efficient exchange and management of intricate design projects. For further reading, visit Corel's website.

Associated file extensions

.des

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: application/x-vnd.corel.designer.document+zip

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/x-vnd.corel.designer.document+zip">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');    
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {    
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/x-vnd.corel.designer.document+zip');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.des

FAQs

What application opens files with the MIME type application/x-vnd.corel.designer.document+zip?

This MIME type is explicitly used by Corel DESIGNER, which is part of the CorelDRAW Technical Suite. It identifies files with the .des extension, which are used for technical illustrations and precision vector graphics.

How do I configure Apache to serve .des files correctly?

To ensure Apache serves Corel Designer files with the correct headers, add the following line to your .htaccess file or main configuration: AddType application/x-vnd.corel.designer.document+zip .des. This prevents browsers from misinterpreting the file as a generic binary.

Why does this MIME type end with +zip?

The +zip suffix indicates that the file format uses the ZIP compression standard as a container. Even though the extension is .des, the internal structure is an archive holding XML data, images, and styles, allowing for efficient storage and transport.

Can web browsers display application/x-vnd.corel.designer.document+zip files natively?

No, standard web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge cannot render Corel Designer documents natively. When a user clicks a link to this file type, the browser will typically prompt to download the file so it can be opened in the appropriate desktop software.

Is application/x-vnd.corel.designer.document+zip a standard IANA MIME type?

The x-vnd prefix stands for experimental vendor, meaning this is a proprietary type defined by Corel rather than a standard established by the IANA. It is specific to the Corel ecosystem and is used to distinguish these technical drawings from standard ZIP archives.

What should I do if my .des file is detected as application/octet-stream?

If a server returns application/octet-stream, it means the server does not recognize the .des extension. You should update your web server's MIME map to associate the extension with application/x-vnd.corel.designer.document+zip to ensure clients handle the file correctly.

Are there security risks associated with this MIME type?

As with many complex document formats, these files can potentially contain embedded macros or scripts. Always ensure that files downloaded with this MIME type originate from a trusted source before opening them in Corel DESIGNER.

General FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.