Translate InDesign Files for Multilingual Publishing (Smart Way)

Published: 2024-08-15 | Author: Transl8ly Team

indesign idml translation multilingual publishing workflow how-to

The Goal: Consistent Designs Across Languages

Publishing materials in multiple languages requires more than just translating text. You need to ensure your carefully crafted InDesign layouts remain consistent and professional, regardless of the language. Manual translation processes often lead to broken layouts and endless tweaking. This guide outlines the modern, efficient workflow using IDML and a dedicated tool like Transl8ly.

Step 1: Prepare Your Source InDesign Document

Before you even think about translation, ensure your source .indd file is well-structured:

  • Use Styles: Define and consistently apply Paragraph and Character Styles. Avoid local formatting.
  • Check Text Flow: Ensure text frames are linked correctly.
  • Resolve Overset Text: Fix any text overflowing its frame.
  • Organize Layers: Keep your document organized.
  • Finalize Content: Make sure the source text is approved and finalized to avoid re-translating later.

Step 2: Export to IDML

This is the most crucial step for enabling automated translation while preserving layout.

  • In Adobe InDesign, go to File > Export....
  • Choose InDesign Markup (IDML) as the format.
  • Save the IDML file with a clear name (e.g., brochure_source_EN.idml).

Step 3: Choose Your Translation Method

You have a few options, but for efficiency and layout preservation, focus on IDML-based methods:

  • Manual (Not Recommended): Copy-paste text, translate externally, copy-paste back, reformat endlessly. (Avoid this!)
  • TMS Platforms: Comprehensive but often complex and costly (e.g., Redokun, Phrase).
  • Dedicated IDML Tool (Recommended for Simplicity & Cost): Tools like Transl8ly focus specifically on IDML translation.

Step 4: Translate Using Transl8ly (The Easy Way)

This workflow is designed for maximum efficiency and minimal hassle:

  1. Visit Transl8ly: Open the Transl8ly web application.
  2. Upload IDML: Drag and drop your exported IDML file (brochure_source_EN.idml).
  3. Select Languages: Choose the original language (e.g., English) and the target language (e.g., German).
  4. Start Translation: Click the button. Transl8ly processes the IDML, sends text to the DeepL engine, and re-inserts the translation.
  5. Download Translated IDML: Within seconds, download the translated file (e.g., brochure_source_EN_translated_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.idml).

Repeat this step for each target language required.

Step 5: Review and Finalize in InDesign

Machine translation is powerful, but a final check is essential:

  1. Open Translated IDML: Open the downloaded, translated IDML file in InDesign.
  2. Quick Layout Check: Scan pages for any obvious layout issues, particularly overset text. Text expansion/contraction is the most common cause.
  3. Minor Adjustments: Make small tweaks to text frames or formatting if needed.
  4. Hyphenation/Line Breaks: Review automatic hyphenation and line breaks for correctness in the target language.
  5. Proofread: Read through the translated content for accuracy, grammar, and tone. DeepL is excellent, but context can always be tricky.

Step 6: Save as INDD and Publish

Once you're satisfied with the translated version in InDesign:

  • Save the file as a standard .indd document (File > Save As...).
  • Proceed with your normal pre-press or digital publishing workflow (exporting to PDF, etc.).

Conclusion: Efficiency is Key

Multilingual publishing doesn't have to be a bottleneck. By leveraging the IDML format and using a streamlined, cost-effective tool like Transl8ly, you can translate your InDesign files rapidly while maintaining design integrity. This modern workflow saves countless hours compared to manual methods, allowing you to reach global audiences faster and more professionally.