QXPMarkz — Preview & Convert QuarkXPress (.qxp) to IDML, PDF, Images & More
QXPMarkz from Markzware is a focused, production-ready utility that lets designers, prepress teams and archivists
preview QuarkXPress (.qxp) files and export them into modern, editable and archival formats (IDML, InDesign, PDF, PNG/JPEG/TIFF,
RTF/TXT/HTML and JSON). It’s designed to remove roadblocks when handling legacy DTP files — no QuarkXPress required.
Preview full QuarkXPress documents, inspect resources and prepare accurate exports.
Why QXPMarkz Matters
Legacy QuarkXPress assets often live on backup drives and client archives. Rebuilding layouts from scratch is time-consuming and error-prone.
QXPMarkz gives you a fast path to reuse that content by exporting into formats compatible with modern layout tools — preserving text, images,
styles and page structure as faithfully as possible.
Top Use Cases
- Archive rescue & migration (QuarkXPress → InDesign/IDML).
- Prepress intake: preview incoming client QXP files without Quark installed.
- Batch conversion for publishers and agencies converting back catalogs.
- Extract styled text for repurposing (RTF / HTML / TXT).
Supported Exports & Outputs
QXPMarkz supports a wide range of outputs you’ll actually use in production:
- IDML / INDD — editable handoff to InDesign and compatible apps.
- PDF — proofing and distribution copies.
- JPEG / PNG / TIFF / GIF — page images or web assets.
- RTF / TXT / HTML — extract stories and copy for reuse.
- JSON — export document inventory / metadata for asset management.
Thumbnail strip + zoomable pages let you inspect multi-page files quickly.
Feature Deep-Dive
High-Fidelity Preview & Document Inspector
Open a QXP file and see an accurate preview, plus an inspector showing file size, pages/spreads, fonts used (and missing), images, color swatches,
and story counts. This upfront intelligence helps you decide whether to convert, extract text, or rebuild manually.
Export Hub — All Outputs in One Place
The export dialog centralizes choices: IDML for editable handoffs, PDF for proofs, image exports for web, and story exports for copy reuse. You can
select post-export actions such as revealing the folder or opening the file in a specific app.
Export panel — choose formats and control post-export behavior.
Automation & Batch Processing
QXPMarkz supports automation preferences, AppleScript, and a custom URL scheme. Set default exports, output paths and let QXPMarkz process hot-folders
or script-driven pipelines — ideal when converting dozens or thousands of legacy files.
Automation pane — configure exports and output pathing for batch jobs.
InDesign Integration via Scripts
QXPMarkz ships with scripts that add “Open QuarkXPress File…” menu items to InDesign, letting designers convert and open QXP assets directly inside their
native tool — a handy shortcut that keeps teams productive.
Step-by-Step: Convert a QXP File (Practical Walkthrough)
- Open QXPMarkz. The main UI shows a toolbar, thumbnails, and preview pane.
- Drag & drop the .qxp file into the window (or use File → Open). Thumbnails and the Document Inspector populate automatically.
- Inspect the Document Inspector. Note missing fonts and linked images — gather those font files and images if you have them.
- Click Export → Choose IDML (recommended). IDML gives you maximal editability inside InDesign and compatible apps.
- Configure post-export behavior. Choose to open the file in InDesign, reveal in Finder, or simply export to a folder.
- Open IDML in InDesign and finalize. Relink any missing assets, adjust font substitutions and run overset/fix checks.
Real-World Case Studies
Publisher: Massive Archive Migration
A European publisher converted over 10,000 QuarkXPress assets to IDML using automation profiles and batch workflows. QXPMarkz enabled a staged migration,
preserving editorial metadata, images and page structure — saving months of manual rebuild time.
Print Shop: Accept Everything
A regional print shop uses QXPMarkz to accept client files they would have previously rejected. The ability to preview and produce press-ready PDFs or
IDML handoffs increased the shop’s throughput and reduced client back-and-forth.
Comparison: QXPMarkz vs. Alternatives
| Capability |
QXPMarkz |
Manual Rebuild |
Other Tools |
| Requires QuarkXPress | No | Yes | Varies |
| IDML export | Yes | No | Limited |
| Automation & scripting | Yes | No | Limited |
| Best for | Batch conversion & archive rescue | Full manual control | PDF-centric conversion |
Highlighted Testimonials
“QXPMarkz has been invaluable for us; we have been able to gradually migrate documents over to ID with very little complication.”
— Diarmid Langley, Senior Designer
“QXPMarkz conversion is extremely easy and accurate — saved countless hours with legacy client files.”
— Bernie Maopolski, Graphics
“Opens up QuarkXPress files with ease and very little tweaking needed… Highly recommended.”
— Jean Drew, Production Manager
Common Questions
Do I need QuarkXPress or InDesign installed?
No — QXPMarkz is stand-alone. You only need InDesign if you will open and edit the exported IDML/INDD files there.
Will conversion be flawless?
Conversion is high-fidelity for the majority of documents. Complex custom Quark features, unusual text-frame behaviors, or missing fonts may require post-export fixes.
Can I automate thousands of files?
Yes. Use QXPMarkz’s Automation preferences, AppleScript or a hot-folder approach to batch-process large archives.
Practical Tips & Best Practices
- Run a small sample batch first to verify font substitution and image link strategies.
- Gather and make available original linked images and fonts to reduce relinking and substitution time.
- Use IDML for editable handoffs and PDF for review/archival copies.
- When converting archives, add automation logging so you can review problematic files later.
Conclusion
QXPMarkz is the practical bridge between old QuarkXPress archives and modern editorial workflows. If your team regularly encounters .qxp files,
needs to rescue legacy content or wants a reliable automation-ready solution to produce IDML, PDFs and images, QXPMarkz will save time and reduce
manual labor — while allowing designers to continue working in familiar editing tools.