Desktop Publishing (DTP) DTP is the comprehensive process of preparing, formatting, and finalizing translated content to match the layout, design, and formatting of the original document, which also includes preparing files for translation beforehand. Our dedicated team will make sure the intended content is properly translated while still respecting the original layout or any other requirement in the output file.

It involves the use of specialized software and hardware to layout text, images, graphics, and other visual elements in a visually appealing and organized manner. The goal of desktop publishing is to produce high-quality documents that are suitable for publication, printing, or electronic distribution.

Why should I request DTP?

Some of the reasons why you should consider requesting this service include:

• It allows companies and individuals to create professional looking documents -brochures, reports, newsletters, flyers, marketing materials, and confidently translate their text content
• It enables the customization of documents to suit specific needs and audiences
• It ensures consistency in formatting and design across various documents
• It’s cost effective - reduces the need for expensive outsourcing by enabling in-house production of high- quality documents

What can be done with DTP?

Layout and typesetting

Consists of the arrangement of visual elements (such as text, images, graphics, and whitespace) on a page or within a digital space, formatting and selecting appropriate fonts, font sizes, line spacing, margins, and other typographic elements to optimize readability and the visual appeal of the document.

DTP File Processing

We perform file format conversion that allows documents to be sent for translation in an Unbabel-compatible format.
Optimization of source files for translation with the aim of eliminating any risks of mistranslations due to flawed text formatting and with the aim of reducing overall work time required for post-translation tasks.
Filtering of content which requires translation; it is possible to choose which content, if any, should remain untranslated.

DTP image handling:

Replacing text in an image as part of pre-processing; This is the process of localizing images by replacing the uneditable text inside an image in the source file with editable text for translation. The translated image text is arranged within the new editable file format, aligned around existing elements by preserving the same visual impact as in the source file.

Post Layout Checking

Review, by a linguist, of translated materials within Unbabel that have undergone DTP/layout work in Unbabel, to check for accuracy.

Supported file formats

DTP is available for non-binary files (with the exception of spreadsheet files).

DTP is mandatory for the following formats:

• Adobe Illustrator .ai
• Adobe Photoshop .psd
• Microsoft Publisher .pub
• Portable Document File .pdf (can be replaced with PDF Handling)

It is an optional service for:

• Microsoft Word .docx
• Microsoft Powerpoint .pptx
• Microsoft Visio .vsdx
• Adobe InDesign .idml
• Adobe Framemaker .mif

What do I need to provide?

Some formats require that you provide a DTP pack that our team can use. Your document will usually consist of this pack, and you need to share its elements with us. This is mandatory for some formats.

• InDesign

Standard InDesign package:
- .indd file
- Links folder
- Fonts folder

• Illustrator

Standard Illustrator package:
- .ai file
- Links folder
- Fonts folder

• FrameMaker

Standard Framemaker package:

- .fm file
- Graphics folder
- Fonts folder

How to request DTP

DTP, as other services, is request in step 4 of project creation. You can toggle the service to action further preferences, such as the option to translated images in the document. Further down, you'll see the Upload files button which you should use to upload any support files (such as the DTP pack, extra guidelines for the DTP team, etc).

Please note that the selection only applies to one file, so you will need to repeat this process for each file needing DTP.

Deliverables

The primary deliverables are the fully translated and formatted documents, ready for use or distribution, and in alignment with the client's specifications and design standards. For MS Word and Powerpoint projects, we provide target .docx and .pptx files.

Some formats may include different deliverables. For Adobe InDesign projects, the final package will include the target .indd and .idml files, along with both low and high-resolution PDFs.