Multilingual Desktop Publishing (DTP) Services

We adapt your designs across 233 languages to ensure consistency and cultural relevance. Trust us to deliver visually compelling, print-ready content that speaks to audiences worldwide.

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Why Choose Translated for Your Multilingual DTP Needs?

At Translated, we specialize in multilingual desktop publishing services. We combine linguistic expertise with in-depth knowledge of various file formats. With over 20 years of experience, our team ensures your files are print-ready while maintaining the integrity of your original designs across multiple languages.

When Is Desktop Publishing (DTP) Necessary for Translation Projects?

Incorporating DTP services is crucial when preparing content for publication, especially in scenarios such as:

  • Expanding Text in Translation: Languages like French and Spanish often require text expansion, necessitating adjustments in layout or font size.
  • Handling Long Words: Languages such as German, Russian, and Polish contain lengthy words that may require resizing graphics and menu items.
  • Right-to-Left (RTL) Languages: Languages like Arabic, Hebrew, and Farsi read from right to left, requiring repositioning of text and graphics.
  • Character-Based Languages: Chinese, Japanese, and Korean often need specific software versions for proper formatting.

Unsure if DTP services are right for your project? Contact our multilingual DTP experts for personalized guidance.

How to Obtain a Quote for Multilingual DTP Services

To receive a tailored quote for our professional translation and DTP services, please:

  • Prepare Your Files: Refer to the table below to determine the appropriate export format for your source files. If you’re not too sure how to export them, just reach out to us and our Account Managers will help.
  • Submit Your Files: Use our contact form or email us at info@translated.com with your files attached, providing the information of the target languages required for translation. Our team will reply to you with a customized quote.

Software Accepted source files to export
we will deliver in the same format
Adobe Acrobat PDF / Spreadsheet / Word / PowerPoint / HTML ?
Adobe Captivate HTML ?
Adobe Dreamweaver HTML / XML ?
Adobe Fireworks HTML / XHTML ?
Adobe FrameMaker RTF / MIF ?
Adobe Illustrator PNG / JPEG / TIFF / PDF ?
Adobe InDesign ICML / IDML / IDAP (recommended) ?
Adobe Photoshop PNG / JPEG / PDF ?
AutoCAD DXF / DWG + PDF ?(PDF necessary for quote)
CorelDRAW CDR / JPG / TIFF + PDF ?(PDF necessary for quote)
MadCap Flare HTML / XHTML / DITA / PDF / WORD ?
Microsoft Publisher PUB + PDF ?(PDF necessary for quote)
QuarkXPress QXD + PDF ?(PDF necessary for quote)

Our Multilingual DTP Process


1

Quotation

Our team will analyze your files and requirements, providing a comprehensive quote that includes translation and DTP costs. Factors such as page volume, source file quality, and turnaround time influence pricing.

2

Translation

Upon approval, we’ll start the translation process. Supplying style guides and glossaries ensures quality, consistency, and adherence to your brand's voice.

3

Desktop Publishing

Post-translation, a DTP specialist will format the content. Whenever possible, a native speaker of the target language will handle this step. Otherwise the translator reviews the final output to ensure content accuracy, delivering a print-ready file.

High-quality translations with quick turnaround times. Google Ads and Facebook campaigns for overseas markets are no problem for us now!
Laura Corallo - Eataly,
Translated helped Airbnb develop a new translation workflow maximizing quality, control and cost efficiencies.
Salvo Giammarresi - Airbnb
The Translated team has always been professional and helpful. They are quick to respond to requests for assistance and they respect the agreed deadlines.
Fabio Vanek - Italiaonline,
Translated has been localising Google Ads and Facebook marketing campaigns for us for several years. We consider them one of our trusted partners, and they have never let us down.
Alberto Mauri - GroupM,
The Translated team is efficient from both a sales and an operations perspective. They are especially diligent when it comes to delivery deadlines, and they quickly take action where necessary to resolve any issues after delivery.
Davide Scalvi - Docebo,
Thanks to Translated, our website is now available in 20 languages instead of 6, allowing us to enter new markets - the number of countries where we operate has risen from around 10 to 50!
Pierre Massol - TravelCar,
Over the last few years, I've used Translated for translations from German and Russian into English. Their service is normally quick and efficient, with a transparent pricing structure.
Marcello Pasquali - Enel Green Power

Our clients

We proudly serve over 373,706 clients worldwide, including young innovative startups and large global enterprises from varying industries. We have optimized our processes to meet their unique needs, adapting from small, on-demand tasks to high-touch, fully managed solutions.

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Use Cases & Practical Applications

Adapting Marketing Materials for International Markets


Expanding into global markets requires more than just translating text; it involves adapting marketing materials to resonate with diverse audiences. This process, known as multilingual desktop publishing (DTP), ensures that brochures, advertisements, and other promotional content are both linguistically accurate and culturally appropriate. By utilizing multilingual desktop publishing services, businesses can effectively communicate their brand message across various regions.

Challenges in Multilingual DTP

Text Expansion and Contraction

Translating content can lead to variations in text length. For instance, translating English text into Spanish may result in a 25-30% expansion, while Chinese translations might contract the text. These changes can disrupt the original layout, necessitating adjustments to maintain visual appeal and readability.

Cultural Nuances in Design

Design elements such as colors, images, and symbols carry different meanings across cultures. A color considered auspicious in one culture might have negative connotations in another. Therefore, adapting these elements is crucial to ensure the content resonates with the target audience.




Implementing Multilingual DTP

Collaborative Approach

A successful multilingual DTP project involves collaboration between translators, designers, and cultural experts. Translators ensure linguistic accuracy, designers adjust layouts to accommodate text variations, and cultural experts provide insights to tailor content appropriately.




Benefits of Multilingual DTP in Marketing

Consistent Brand Identity

By adapting marketing materials through multilingual DTP, businesses maintain a consistent brand identity across different languages and cultures, fostering trust and recognition among global consumers.

Enhanced Market Reach

Localized marketing materials are more likely to engage target audiences, leading to increased market penetration and customer engagement.

Improved User Experience

Content that is both linguistically and visually tailored to the audience enhances the user experience, potentially boosting conversion rates and customer satisfaction.

Conclusion

Integrating multilingual desktop publishing into the adaptation of marketing materials is vital for businesses aiming to establish a global presence. By addressing linguistic and cultural nuances, companies can effectively communicate their brand message, ensuring relevance and appeal to diverse audiences.

Localizing Technical Manuals for Global Users

In today's globalized market, products are distributed worldwide, necessitating the localization of technical manuals to cater to diverse user bases. Multilingual desktop publishing (DTP) plays a pivotal role in this process, ensuring that manuals are accurately translated and formatted for various languages and cultures.

Challenges in Localizing Technical Manuals

Complex Terminology

Technical manuals often contain specialized terminology that requires precise translation to prevent misinterpretation. Accurate translation is crucial to ensure users understand the product's functionality and safety guidelines.

Layout Adjustments

Different languages can alter text length, affecting the manual's layout. For instance, translating from English to German may result in longer text, requiring layout modifications to preserve readability and aesthetics.

Compliance with Local Standards

Technical manuals must adhere to local regulations and standards, which may vary between countries. This necessitates adjustments in content to ensure compliance and avoid legal issues.




Implementing Multilingual DTP in Technical Manuals

Terminology Management

Utilizing glossaries and translation memory tools ensures consistency in terminology across all language versions, maintaining the manual's accuracy and reliability.

Flexible Design Templates

Employing adaptable design templates allows for efficient adjustments to accommodate text expansion or contraction, ensuring a consistent and professional appearance across all versions.

Collaboration with Subject Matter Experts

Involving experts familiar with local regulations and cultural nuances ensures that the manual meets all necessary standards and resonates with the target audience.




Benefits of Multilingual DTP in Technical Manuals

Enhanced User Comprehension

Accurately translated and well-formatted manuals improve user understanding of the product, leading to better user experiences and reduced support inquiries.

Regulatory Compliance

Ensuring that manuals comply with local standards helps avoid legal complications and enhances the product's credibility in the market.

Global Brand Reputation

Providing high-quality, localized manuals demonstrates a company's commitment to its global customers, enhancing brand reputation and customer loyalty.

Conclusion

Multilingual desktop publishing is essential in localizing technical manuals for global users. By addressing linguistic accuracy, design adaptability, and regulatory compliance, businesses can ensure their products are user-friendly and meet the expectations of diverse markets.

Ready to Start?

Our Account Managers are ready to assist you—just fill out the form below for personalized support.

FAQs

What are Multilingual DTP solutions, and why are they essential for global businesses?

Multilingual Desktop Publishing (DTP) solutions involve translating, formatting, and localizing documents for international audiences while maintaining visual and cultural accuracy. These services ensure your materials—such as brochures, manuals, or marketing collateral—look polished and resonate with target markets. DTP bridges language gaps for businesses expanding globally and avoids costly design errors caused by text expansion, layout shifts, or incompatible fonts.

What challenges arise when adapting designs for right-to-left languages in multilingual DTP?

Adapting designs for right-to-left (RTL) languages, such as Arabic and Hebrew, involves more than just reversing text direction. The entire layout, including images and navigation flow, must be mirrored to align with the reading habits of RTL audiences. Additionally, incorporating left-to-right elements like numbers or brand names within RTL text requires careful formatting to maintain readability and aesthetic coherence.

How do DTP services for global markets ensure cultural accuracy?

Professional DTP services adapt visuals, colors, and layouts to align with local cultural norms. For example, graphics may be modified to reflect regional preferences, and text direction (e.g., right-to-left for Arabic) is meticulously handled. Experts also ensure compliance with regional printing standards and accessibility requirements, making your content both professional and culturally appropriate.

Why is font selection crucial in multilingual DTP, and what issues can arise with improper font choices?

Appropriate fonts are vital in multilingual DTP to ensure that all characters and scripts are accurately represented. Some fonts may lack the necessary characters for specific languages, leading to missing text or incorrect glyphs. Additionally, licensing restrictions on specific fonts can limit their use in translated materials, requiring the selection of alternative fonts that support the target language's character set and comply with licensing agreements.

How cost-effective are professional multilingual DTP services for scaling globally?

Investing in DTP upfront reduces long-term costs by preventing reprinting errors, miscommunication, or brand inconsistency. Streamlined workflows and expertise in localization minimize delays, making it a scalable solution for businesses entering diverse markets.