DTP

Saving the best for last – DTP and layout services

Don’t panic! We know that DTP usually comes at the very end of a language project. That’s exactly why you need professionals who work with precision and to a high standard – while still delivering fast turnaround times. Whether you need two pages or a hundred, our DTP specialists will prepare your publication for print. Even in languages that are notoriously tricky to format.

What does our layout service include, and which publications can benefit from DTP?

Our layout service for DTP covers all the steps necessary for professional print and digital media. This includes:

Layout for any type of publication
DTP including microtypography
Feedback rounds and market input
Final editing by native speakers
Preparation and final check of print-ready data
Recreation of files
Image editing/reconstruction
DTP with or without prior translation

We design layouts for presentations, books and catalogues, training materials, marketing materials (flyers, posters, brochures), newsletters and many other types of content.

We frequently work with watch brands, luxury publishing companies, sports associations and other organisations to produce high-quality publications. And we’re fast too – we know that deadline is looming!

Expertise

DTP and layout – we sort through the alphabet soup for you

We’ll take care of the alphabet soup and ensure flawless microtypography. If you are unsure how best to approach your layout project, just get in touch. Céline Rodriguez Barbur, Head of Project Management, will be happy to assist you. Even if you’re in a hurry!

beratung@diction.ch
+41 81 750 53333

Send us your DTP project and we’ll take care of the rest

We can do layout, lay-in, lay-under and lay-over. Joking aside, it’s true: with over two decades of experience producing multilingual brochures and large catalogues for the luxury sector and other industries, we’re equipped for anything – including fast turnaround times and managing market feedback. We’re often asked how we work and what’s required for good DTP. So here are a few insights:

What’s the best way to proceed with a DTP language project?

It’s best to contact our professionals for DTP, layout and microtypography. We usually handle DTP as part of a translation project, but of course you can also send us a finished text (in one or more languages), and we’ll format it for you. For complex campaigns, such as large watch catalogues in multiple languages, we also support you with project management, including gathering and processing market feedback from various target regions. Just let us know what you need – for example, DTP with microtypography – along with your deadline and the languages involved.

What tools and skills are required for effective desktop publishing?

When it comes to DTP and layout, we make sure text and visuals are perfectly aligned. In many languages, this isn’t always easy. Some translations end up considerably longer than the original, and line breaks may cause problems in certain scripts. A DTP professional needs skills with tools, fonts and microtypography, as well as a keen eye for visual consistency and creativity when tackling layout challenges. Typical issues include complex graphics or overflow text when a translation is longer than the source.

Which programmes and tools are used in DTP?

For example, Adobe InDesign and Creative Suite, along with Office applications, image-editing tools (such as Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) and OCR software such as ABBYY FineReader or Vision AI. So we’re fully equipped to handle all your documents and files.

How do you handle complex layout challenges such as Arabic, Russian or Asian languages?

Working with languages such as Russian, Arabic or Asian scripts if you don’t speak the language can be tricky – especially when it comes to hyphenation and line breaks. And translations into French or Russian are usually significantly longer than the original and and can easily throw off a carefully designed layout. Often, the text no longer fits on the page. Arabic adds another layer of complexity: click on the text in the top right-hand corner and the cursor jumps to the bottom left. Insert a word and it might appear in the wrong place. Some elements even end up are mirrored.

Yes, it’s a job full of challenges. So how do we approach DTP for “difficult” languages? With professionals who work accurately, reliably and fast. They know the tools inside out and are familiar with the languages. They understand the quirks of InDesign and, instead of cutting text at random, they consult the translator about any overflow. With plenty of skill and sensitivity, they make sure your layout looks perfect in every language for every publication.