Multilingual DTP Services for Translation Agencies
In large-scale multilingual translation projects, translation agencies may request final translated documents that are authentic to the original version. Desktop publishing is the optimal method for books, magazines, and large-scale multilingual documents. By providing a professional, reliable, and effective DTP service, the main goal is to enable translation agencies to convert various translation files — including InDesign files — and deliver authentic final translated documents in all languages.
per page starting rate for IDML files
languages covered across all projects
years of multilingual DTP experience
How does the desktop publishing process work?
Whether it's a book, magazine, or corporate document, Adobe InDesign (.idml) files are translated and exported via Trados or similar CAT tools and forwarded for DTP processing. Within the context of multilingual DTP services, the translated document is comparatively processed and edited to arrange the page layout in the desired format and fix any problems such as cut-offs or overlapping texts.
After the original images and typefaces from the client's folders are implemented, the document is exported in its final format — typically PDF. The file is then forwarded for a final check by the assigned translator or proofreader. Upon confirmation, the final package is prepared and delivered.
The minimum rate for a single-page DTP process is 4 € per page for .idml files. Other file formats may require an initial workload assessment before pricing can be proposed.
DTP services are provided in all languages as long as the translator or proofreader team is reachable. Experience across 40+ languages including:
RTL Languages
- Arabic (Modern Standard)
- Arabic (Gulf)
- Arabic (Levantine)
- Arabic (Egyptian)
- Hebrew
Asian Languages
- Burmese
- Chinese (Simplified)
- Chinese (Traditional)
- Chinese (Hong Kong)
- Indonesian
- Japanese
- Khmer
- Korean
- Malay
- Thai
- Vietnamese
European Languages
- Albanian
- Bosnian
- Bulgarian
- Croatian
- Czech
- Danish
- Dutch
- English
- Estonian
- Finnish
- French (France)
- French (Canada)
- Georgian
- German
- Greek
- Hungarian
- Italian
- Latvian
- Lithuanian
- Macedonian
- Maltese
- Norwegian
- Polish
- Portuguese (Portugal)
- Portuguese (Brazil)
- Romanian
- Russian
- Serbian
- Slovak
- Slovene
- Spanish (Spain)
- Spanish (Latin America)
- Swedish
- Turkish
- Ukrainian
How much time is needed to finalise layout on an IDML file?
Project length varies according to file structure. The DTP process is quicker for documents prepared by designers using appropriate amounts of white space. A 30-page translated text can be put into final form in 1–3 hours — however, the process takes longer if the content is too condensed, without margin spaces, or header and footer sections were filled manually instead of using Master Pages. Right-to-left languages such as Arabic or Hebrew require the entire page to be restructured, which can double the project length.
How many languages can be covered in a single batch?
There are no limitations to the number of languages a single project can include. Usually, each project requires DTP services for 5 to 30 languages.
Are revisions included in the price?
Revisions are vital in the DTP process. The first and second revisions do not incur any fees — two revisions and final delivery are included in the initial pricing. Any post-delivery insertions, additional editing, amendments, or typos may require extra fees. Please utilise the first and second revisions productively and efficiently.
How can you be sure the final document is ready?
The DTP-processed document is returned to you for revision by the translator or proofreader. During the revision stage, any errors and amendments must be noted in the PDF file using the comment feature, or in a separate file with clear and detailed instructions including the page and location of the relevant text.
After the revision stage, the final document is delivered. Upon confirming the document is free of error, the second revision is finalised. The final package is prepared and sent to your email address.
Visit Proz.com to reach a wide pool of translators, proofreaders, and writers from all around the globe.
Onur was hands-down the best DTP expert we ever worked with. Detail-oriented, deadline-driven and a true problem-solver. We've done many complex design projects and he has always come up with creative solutions. He never misses a deadline — a must for tight deadlines and large-volume projects.
COO — Translation & DTP AgencyMr. Ilter proved to be a highly responsible and motivated person, able to handle short-term orders and high workload. He is always going the extra mile — something highly appreciated by us as well as our clients. I can highly recommend him at any time.
Head of Project Management — Nativy GmbH, ViennaOnur is highly accurate, reliable and responsive. We outsource regularly and are very satisfied with the services provided.
Translation AgencyFast and attentive delivery, always up for comments and reviews — makes it easy to work with.
UpworkPractical guides and in-depth articles on multilingual desktop publishing, PDF accessibility, and document production — written from day-to-day project experience.
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