What is DTP?
DTP, or Desktop Publishing, is the post-translation production of translated files. The process includes formatting and adjusting elements in the translated file to produce a beautifully designed file in the target language.
Why is DTP important?
Whether it's translating PDFs, PowerPoints, or design files, Desktop Publishing (DTP) is a crucial step to ensuring your translated content is displayed as desired in the final output file.
Most languages differ from each other in the amount of space that they take up. For example, German translations typically take up 20% more space than English text. While many languages are read from left to right, some others are read from right to left - this is an important factor which needs to be considered when it comes to the formatting of your translated files.
These are some of the considerations which typically make a DTP (or Desktop Publishing) step an important part of the translation process when it comes to certain file types.
Who takes care of the DTP process?
Most translation vendors offer DTP as part of their services, including Smartling Language Services. You can avail of SLS's DTP services, even if they are not your translation provider.
Tip: For more information on Smartling Language Services DTP process, contact your Customer Success Manager.
How long does it take?
Typically, most translation vendors can process approximately 1-3 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 corrections to the translations which are made at a later stage would also require additional DTP.
Where does DTP take place?
DTP is a process that happens 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 DTP
STEP ONE: Make DTP part of your workflow
On the workflow that files requiring DTP are translated in:
- Add a "Workflow Hold" step type to the workflow.
- This should be the last step before your job reaches the "Published" ("Completed") step.
- Name this step "DTP Hold" to make it clear what it is referring to.
- Assign your DTP vendor to this workflow step.
- As soon as your job has gone through all necessary translation, editing and review steps, your DTP vendor then receives an automated email notification from Smartling, letting them know that a new job is ready in the DTP step.
Tip: Ensure your vendor has applicable notifications enabled.
STEP TWO: 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
- the source files (.indd, .idml, PDF/PowerPoint files)
Your vendor can download these resources, as well as the translated (Word or .idml) file.
STEP THREE: Vendor attaches completed file
Once the DTP process is completed in your target language, your vendor can once again upload the completed file as a Job Attachments.
STEP FOUR: Vendor submits strings to next step (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 FIVE: Download completed file
Simply navigate to the Job Attachments within the Job Details to download the fully formatted files in your target language.