Have you ever wondered what exactly DTP is and how multimedia formats are managed in a translation agency? We address the topic in this article.
What is DTP
DTP is one of the last steps in localization processes when working with documentation or multimedia formats, such as PowerPoint presentations, brochures, infographics, or interactive training. The purpose of DTP is to adapt or redesign translated material to fit the original project and client specifications.
The space that a translated text occupies is never the same as that of the original content, which is why the format and design must adapt. It is also likely that we will have to adapt details such as page size based on the target market, for example by changing the letter size to A4.
Sometimes it is necessary to change certain images or colors depending on the tastes and culture of the audience of the translated text. This means that it will not be enough, for example, simply to change the spelling and terminology, but also to replace the supporting images, when they do not reflect the culture of the target language, the one in which you want to localize.
The layout team is also responsible for correcting formatting errors in CAT (computer-aided translation) tools, such as missing or misplaced labels or documents containing images that the translator cannot directly edit.
Why companies should outsource DTP services to a language service provider rather than their in-house graphic design teams
DTP processes in a language service provider will always specialize in handling multilingual formats, while a freelance agency or in-house designer at a company in another industry may not have experience dealing with issues associated with translation processes.
Furthermore, by outsourcing this service to a language services company, the client ensures that the DTP specialist is always in direct contact with the linguists, so that format changes can easily be followed up by further linguistic revision before final delivery . This is very useful when deciding where to insert a line break, for example, or in cases where you need to change text at the last minute due to space limitations imposed by the original design.
The formats with which LingoYou works
As we said, the ideal is to work with the same file format as the original document. When this is not possible and the client only has the PDF version of the text, the DTP specialist will recreate the file with text editing software that will replicate the original format.
We work mainly with documentation in InDesign and also in Word and PowerPoint. Each of these can also contain image formats, which we process with Photoshop.
InDesign (.indd) and Word are word processors. Everyone has different approaches on the type of processing, and it can be said that InDesign is mainly used in high-quality paper materials or digital publications, such as marketing brochures and digital books for online courses.
Word (.doc or docx) is a word processor that can be used to generate documentation. It has a different market than InDesign and offers greater compatibility with various text editors.
PowerPoint (with the ppt or pptx extension) is the app par excellence for presentations and is part of the Office suite.
Images are usually processed in Photoshop and are saved in different formats depending on documentation needs; they are usually saved in jpg, png or tiff.
Illustrator (ai or eps) is typically used for designing infographics or single-page banners, which use vectorized images. Together with InDesign, it is the tool with which you can produce printed material of the highest quality in terms of design. Illustrator also generates vectors that link to InDesign documentation.
Marketing Team LingoYou
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