When the translation of a catalogue is finished, the job is not finished; the text has to be placed in the original page layout. Because languages express the same meaning at different lengths, this placement does not happen by itself. The desktop publishing specialist is responsible for this stage.
Definition
The desktop publishing specialist places the translated text in the original page layout. The role is technical and visual. The stage comes after translation.
Why it is needed
Text length varies by language and the layout shifts. The correction is done by hand. The need can be measured.
Managing the difference in length
Room is made for text that has grown longer, and the white space is balanced where text has grown shorter. The intervention respects the design. A balance is struck.
Font compatibility
Fonts that do not support the characters of the target language cause problems. Compatibility is checked in advance. An alternative is prepared.
Turkish characters
The letters specific to Turkish are missing or corrupted in some fonts. A check is carried out. The problem is solved early.
Line breaking
Breaking words at the right place requires knowledge of the language. If the specialist cannot read the target language, errors arise. A check is needed.
Review by someone who knows the language
After typesetting, the text is checked by someone who knows the target language. This step is not skipped. The rule is established.
Text inside images
Text embedded in an image is processed separately. The source file is requested. The operation is extra effort.
Tables and charts
Table cells may overflow and chart labels may shift. Each one is checked individually. A list is used.
Page numbers and the index
The table of contents and the cross-references are updated. Automatic fields are refreshed. A check is carried out.
Header and footer
The areas at the top and bottom of the page are also translated and placed. These areas are often skipped. They are put on the checklist.
Languages written from right to left
In some languages the whole layout changes direction. This is a separate specialisation. The scope is assessed separately.
Preparing for print
On jobs that will be printed, the colour and bleed settings are checked. The technical requirements are obtained from the printer. Compliance is ensured.
Digital output
In files that will be read on screen, the links and bookmarks are checked. Accessibility tags are preserved. The type of output is decisive.
The need for the source file
Without the original design file, placement becomes difficult. The file is requested at the start of the job. The request is made early.
Compatibility with translation tools
Design files can be exported to the translation tool and imported back. This flow saves time. It is set up.
Preserving the tags
The formatting tags inside the text must stay in place in translation. A shifted tag breaks the typesetting. The check is done with a tool.
The final check output
After typesetting, the output is reviewed from beginning to end. What appears on screen and what is printed may differ. The check is done in full.
Its place in the time plan
Typesetting is usually squeezed into the end of the plan, and this is where delay occurs most; yet its time should be calculated separately from the outset. This stage is not an extension of the translation but a separate job. The plan is built accordingly.
What it is confused with
Desktop publishing is often taken to be a part of translation and is assumed to be included in the fee. Yet it is a separate specialisation and a separate item of work; if it is not stated clearly in the quote, it leads to a dispute later.