1. Know your file types Files containing un-editable text, such as .jpg or .png images, can drive up the costs of translation fast. By providing your language service provider with an editable version of these types of files, whether it’s a design package or a Word document containing a copy of the text, you can expect to save 10 to 25 percent on desktop publishing costs.
2. Prep your translation packages Revisions can be pricey, so you should be absolutely certain your project is in its final draft before getting it translated. Go through your documents one last time for any changes to figures, word choice, and sentence structure to ensure you don’t have to pay for two rounds of translation.
3. Only translate images and video when necessary Sometimes the best way to stay within your translation budget is to be extremely selective of what you choose to translate. If you can present information in a written form rather than video, you can save a lot of money.
4. Keep content culturally neutral (if possible) When creating content that you know will eventually be translated for a different target market, be smart about what you write. By neutralizing slang, jokes, and symbols, you can save money on localization.
5. Reserve space for text expansion Some languages take more characters to say the same thing as others. For example, German is 35% longer than English. Keep this in mind when prepping your files for translation. If there isn’t enough room for expansion, you may be charged for the time spent adjusting the translation layout.
LGO strives to be 100% transparent when it comes to translation costs. If you have any questions regarding cost-effective solutions for your projects, we’d love to chat!
