What is DTP?
DTP, or Desktop Publishing, is the post-translation process of formatting and adjusting translated files to create a professionally designed document in the target language.
Why is DTP important?
Whether it's translating PDFs, PowerPoints, or design files, Desktop Publishing (DTP) is a crucial step in ensuring your translated content is displayed as desired in the final output file.
Different languages require varying amounts of space. For instance, German text typically takes up to 20% more space than English. In addition, text direction varies across languages; for example, some languages are read from right to left, which impacts formatting.
These factors make DTP a critical step in the translation process for certain file types that rely on specific layouts, stylized content, and images.
Who takes care of the DTP process?
Most translation vendors, including Smartling Language Services (SLS), offer DTP services. SLS can handle your DTP needs even if they are not your translation provider.
Tip: For more information on Smartling Language Services DTP services, contact your Customer Success Manager.
How long does it take?
The amount of time needed to perform DTP depends on the document size and complexity, as well as your vendor's SLAs.
Typically, Smartling Language Services can process up to 10 pages per hour.
When does DTP take place?
The DTP process should take place after your translations have been fully edited and reviewed, but before they reach the Published step in Smartling.
We do not recommend sending unedited or unreviewed translations for DTP, as any changes to the translations will require additional DTP work.
Where does DTP take place?
DTP is conducted outside the Smartling platform in the relevant design tool, e.g., Adobe InDesign. However, your Smartling workflow can help you keep track of this additional step in your translation process.
Steps to Complete DTP
Step 1: Add a DTP step to your workflow
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Add a Desktop Publishing step to the workflow where the files requiring DTP are translated.
- This should be the last step before the Published step in the workflow.
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Assign your DTP vendor to this workflow step.
- Once the content reaches this step, your vendor will receive an email notification indicating that the content has entered the DTP step in the workflow.
Tip: Ensure your vendor has applicable notifications enabled.
Step 2: Create a Job to translate the source file
Create a translation Job to translate the source file. We recommend indicating in the Job name that DTP will be required ("[Job name] + DTP"). Ensure to authorize the Job using the dedicated DTP workflow.
Step 3: Attach design assets to the job
To provide your DTP vendor with all the necessary information needed for the formatting process, we recommend adding the design package as a Job Attachment to your Smartling job:
This design package should be a .zip folder containing:
- All fonts
- All linked images
- Source files (e.g., INDD, IDML, PDF, PowerPoint files)
Your vendor can download these resources, as well as the translated file.
If the design package exceeds the supported file size for Job Attachments, use an alternative method for sharing the design assets (e.g. by uploading them to a Google Drive folder that is shared with your DTP vendor).
Step 4: Vendor attaches completed file
Once the DTP process is complete, your vendor can upload the completed file as a Job Attachment.
Step 5: Vendor submits strings to Published
When the completed file is reattached to the job, your vendor can submit the strings of the Job to the next step in the workflow (which should be the Published step) via the Strings View Actions. Assuming you have the appropriate notification enabled, you will be notified about the completion of your job.
Step 6: Download the completed file
Navigate to the Job Attachments within the Job Details to download the fully formatted translated files.