InDesign Localization

Required files and assets from the client:

• • InDesign source files: .INDD files (native format) or .IDML files (preferred for better compatibility and text extraction)
• • Linked assets: All linked images, graphics, and placed files referenced in the InDesign document
• • Editable graphics: Source files (.PSD, .AI, .SVG, .EPS) for graphics containing text or requiring localization
• • Fonts: All fonts used in the document, including OpenType fonts, custom fonts, and font licensing information
• • Color profiles: ICC color profiles if color accuracy is critical
• • Reference materials: Style guides, brand guidelines, glossaries, and previous translations
• • PDF reference: Final output PDF showing intended layout and design

• • Use IDML format: Export to IDML format for better text extraction and compatibility across InDesign versions
• • Extract text efficiently: Use InDesign's built-in export features or third-party tools to extract text while preserving formatting and structure
• • Manage paragraph styles: Use consistent paragraph and character styles to ensure proper formatting in target languages
• • Handle text frames: Use flexible text frames with appropriate text frame options to accommodate text expansion
• • Separate graphics workflow: Extract text from graphics, translate separately, then update linked graphics or create new localized versions
• • Test text expansion: Account for 20-30% expansion in European languages and 50%+ in Asian languages; adjust layouts accordingly
• • Maintain object styles: Use object styles for consistent formatting of frames, images, and other design elements
• • Handle master pages: Update master pages for headers, footers, and page numbering in target languages
• • Check linked files: Ensure all linked files are accessible and properly updated for localized versions

• • Text expansion: InDesign layouts are sensitive to text length changes; complex layouts may require significant adjustments
• • BIDI languages: Right-to-left languages require text direction changes, alignment adjustments, and reading order modifications
• • Font substitution: Some fonts may not support target language characters; identify and replace with appropriate fonts early
• • Graphics with text: Graphics containing text require separate localization; uneditable graphics may need recreation
• • Table formatting: Tables often need width adjustments and cell formatting changes for text expansion
• • Paragraph breaks: Different languages have different hyphenation and line break rules; adjust paragraph settings accordingly
• • Color and imagery: Some colors and images may have cultural significance that requires adaptation
• • Version compatibility: Ensure InDesign version compatibility; IDML format helps with cross-version compatibility
• • Package collection: Use InDesign's Package feature to collect all necessary files for localization

1. File Preparation (DTP Prep): Analyze InDesign files, collect all linked assets, extract translatable content, and prepare files for translation (1 hour per 100 pages)
2. Export to IDML: Convert .INDD files to .IDML format for better text extraction and compatibility
3. Text Extraction: Extract text content using InDesign export features or translation tools while preserving formatting markers
4. Translation: Translate content using CAT tools, maintaining terminology consistency and style guide adherence
5. Graphics Localization: Extract text from graphics, translate, and update source graphics or create localized versions (1 hour per 10 editable graphics, 1 hour per 5 uneditable graphics)
6. Desktop Publishing (Round 1): Import translated content into InDesign, apply formatting, adjust text frames for expansion, update linked graphics, and modify layouts (15 pages/hour for Latin, 10 for Asian, 10 for BIDI)
7. Layout Adjustments: Resize text frames, adjust tables, update master pages, and ensure proper text flow
8. Quality Assurance: Review layout, typography, graphics placement, and ensure all elements are properly localized
9. Revision 1: Implement client feedback and corrections (30 pages/hour for Latin, 20 for Asian, 20 for BIDI)
10. Revision 2: Final corrections and refinements (60 pages/hour for Latin, 40 for Asian, 40 for BIDI)
11. Final Output: Package InDesign files with all assets, generate PDF proofs, and verify all links and graphics are correct