Formatting and desktop publishing
Our in-house Desktop Publishing division expertly handles layout and graphics. If necessary, it preps documents before translation to optimize them for processing using the most up-to-date CAT tools. When the translation is complete, our DTP division imports the files back into their source format and fixes the layout before delivery. Or, upon the client’s request, it reformats the files and/or prepares them to be printed. Our formatters and desktop publishers oversee the layout of each page, including text and any images or diagrams and captions. We carry out three types of formatting, as needed:
- Formatting of the entire document to match the original format;
- Formatting based on predefined standards in accordance with a publishing or corporate style or a specific concept;
- Original formatting, with the creation of creative, customized, captivating graphics tailored to any type of document.
After the last round of checks and final fine-tuning, the file is ready for delivery to the client (or printer). Upon request, Landoor’s DTP division also performs editorial formatting for texts that have not been translated (or that were translated by others) for publishers or companies, handling every step of the process up to preparation for printing. The client may provide us with the original text as a digital file (even a non-modifiable PDF) or printed document. If we receive a printed document, we perform an OCR scan and, once the text has been translated, we recreate the original layout in the final document (characters, symbols, size, color, position, proportions, etc.), or we create the client’s desired layout. We use all major last-generation DTP software programs in both MacOS and Windows in any code, language and alphabet:
- Acrobat
- AutoCAD
- Catalyst
- CorelDraw
- Fireworks
- Flash
- FrameMaker
- FreeHand
- FrontPage
- Illustrator
- InDesign
- InPage Professional
- Macromedia Dreamweaver
- Office
- PageMaker
- Photoshop
- Premiere
- QuarkXPress
In addition, we are fluent in the web development programming languages XML and HTML. In addition to formatting books and newspapers, Landoor’s DTP professionals adroitly manage the graphics and layout of complex documents in which the position of elements on the page and the fonts must be maintained for a smooth, seamless reading experience, with emphasis on the most important points. For example, these services are essential for annual financial reports, legal paperwork and sworn translations. We also translate all packaging material: labels, wrapping and packages of any kind, along with instructions for use (or drug information inserts). Obviously, we also format digital materials and e-books. One formatting issue we frequently face is the difference in length between the original text and its translation. Every language has its own lexical and grammatical peculiarities, which affect the number of characters of the transposed text. Sometimes, staying within the boundaries of a specific graphic framework is absolutely necessary. DTP software can be used to make adjustments that are nearly invisible to the human eye. This may consist of slight changes to the size of the font or the spacing between lines. In other cases, a professional must frequently cut, lengthen or reformulate the copy. Our expert copyeditors handle this. We manage formatting with any type of font, including Asian characters (e.g., Chinese and Japanese), Middle Eastern alphabets (e.g., Arabic) and Cyrillic characters, as well as languages written from right to left or from bottom to top (e.g., Japanese, Arabic and Hebrew).