Desktop Publishing Service

 Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a desktop publishing (DTP) service?

  Desktop publishing (DTP) involves the design and layout of online and printed documents, such as flyers, using cutting-edge software and techniques. A professional DTP specialist will take care of the initial design (if requested), template customization or localization for publishing around the globe.
  
  Quality assurance is paramount at every step of the process, from content extraction to final delivery - especially if it is the last stage of multilingual document creation. The result is a polished end-product that is both professional and visually appealing to international audiences.
  
  Professional DTP services can also be integrated with tools such as Translation Management Systems (TMS) to optimize workflows and improve the final product. Whether it’s a small project or a large campaign - reliable DTP service bring your vision to life.

• What are the 5 examples of desktop publishing?

  Desktop publishing is a highly versatile service. When it comes to professional translation services, it is mainly used for pre- and postprocessing of translations. It helps prepare documents for processing by a translation management system (TMS), but also to layout the final documents in several languages.
  
  Most common DTP services provided by a language service provider include, for example:
  
  Formatting: With the help of a variety of DTP software, DTP specialists create the layout of the publications or insert translations into the layout according to the source file and set it correctly. File conversion: Documents are often not available in formattable formats, which are required for processing with a TMS. With the help of OCR software (Optical Character Recognition software) or OCR functions, you can automatically create a formattable file from a PDF file, for example. A DTP specialist pre-processes the documents before converting them. They make sure, for example, that the text is aligned horizontally and that distracting image noise is removed. They also post-processes the document ensuring a high-quality outcome. Picture captions: Even in formats that can be formatted, non-editable graphics and images with text, such as captions, can appear. These are prepared accordingly by the DTP specialist and the translations are later inserted into the document in consultation with the customer. Text preparation: Often, source texts are not formatted optimally, e.g. due to manually inserted breaks. This makes translation with TMS more difficult, as it cannot assign the segments correctly. By preparing the source texts in a TMS-friendly way, the tool can segment the text correctly and provide an ideal basis for translation. Layout check: Even if formatting is not required, a DTP specialist often performs a layout check in the target document making sure that all text is visible and set correctly.

• How experienced is your team in providing DTP services?

  Our team of professional desktop publishers and linguists has extensive experience in providing comprehensive desktop publishing services across a wide range of industries - in over 220 languages. With proficiency in various publishing software and a deep understanding of the DTP process, we are able to tailor our services to cater to the specific desktop publishing needs of each client. From creating high-quality marketing materials to designing page layouts for multilingual content, our expert team ensures the highest quality service delivery within stringent timelines.
  
  In addition, we have a global network of translators and localization experts available to address linguistic and cultural nuances of a document and perform a check in the final layout.

• How much do DTP services cost?

  The costs for DTP vary depending on: language, format, and service level to be provided. A price is set either per page or an hourly rate for processing.
  
  If you would like a non-binding quote for a specific project, feel free to contact us.

• What are the benefits of professional desktop publishing services?

  Professional desktop publishing services offer a number of benefits for businesses worldwide. One is obvious: these services ensure that your translated content can be delivered in the target language in a ready-to-print or ready-to-publish format. Working with a sole provider also ensures that delivery deadlines can be met, regardless of time zones.
  
  In combination with translation management systems, however, these services are often also used for document preparation in order to utilize all the advantages of a TMS. This saves time and money overall. It also enhances the design of your documents in different languages to improve readability and consistency across different industries.