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When it comes time to producing the foreign language version of your printed material, the actual translation is only one part of the process. Equally important is the preparation of your material for foreign language typesetting. Typesetting is an integral, and oftentimes overlooked, part of the entire translation process. Whether you’re creating a corporate brochure, an advertising piece, or even an installation manual, there are many things to consider that will facilitate the foreign language typesetting.

By keeping these tips in mind, you will make life easier for the graphic artist responsible for the foreign language version of your material, and you’ll end up with a final product that not only conveys your message, but looks good doing it! And that translates into a better bottom line for you and your company.

• Think about your target audience.
  You’ve probably spent numerous hours selecting just the right colors, photos, and graphics to make your printed material look perfect. And this doesn’t take into account the amount of time it took to write the copy. But remember, just because your material is acceptable for one culture doesn’t mean it is for another. It is vital that you perform all the necessary steps to assure that the copy, colors, photos, and graphics are acceptable to your foreign audience. A cultural faux pas will undoubtedly offend your audience, resulting in a loss of time, money, and ultimately, your target market.
• Use plenty of white space.
  Translated copy typically runs 25% longer than the English. If you know you’re going to have your material translated, leave a lot of “blank” space on the page to allow for expansion. Otherwise, point size and leading (the space between lines) will have to be reduced (sometimes significantly), resulting in copy that’s difficult to read. Keep the original version “light” and expect the foreign language version to grow.
  Keep in mind that for some languages you may have to change the format of your layout. For example, Arabic and Hebrew are read “back to front” and right to left. Or material for a European market may have to be changed from a traditional letter-size format to A4.
• Don’t forget the files…
  It’s imperative that you supply the translation company with ALL original language digital files (QuarkXPress, PageMaker, Freehand, Illustrator, etc.). Why? There is no point in wasting time, energy, and money creating a new layout and/or graphic file when they already exist. By using the existing file, it’s simply a matter of “flowing in” the translated copy with only minor adjustments.
• …and the fonts.
  Just as important as the digital files are the fonts you used in your original publication. More than likely, the foreign language typesetter will not have the fonts you used to create the original piece, especially if they are obscure.

These are just a few of the things to think about when preparing your material for a foreign language. Remember, you want your material to help you achieve your ultimate goal: Effective communication in the language your customers speak!