Packaging translation between English and all major world languages is one of our core areas of translation work. better languages translates all kinds of packaging, including box or label copy, and inserts such as instructions and user guides. We can provide translated text in word and pdf formats to ensure correct display of accents and special characters, and can also proof finished artwork if sent a low res pdf. Typesetting services in most major design formats can also be provided, depending on your specific requirements.
Most of our work is multi-lingual, for example for clients Mothercare International, a large UK multinational retailer with stores in 50 countries, we translate the packaging for all their own brand products into 9 languages including Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Greek and Russian. For US client Zak Inc, we translate packaging for a wide range of children’s products including Thomas the Tank engine lunch boxes, and many Disney themed items. Translations include Spanish for the US market, French, German, and a range of Nordic languages including Swedish, Norwegian, and Finnish.
Our preferred approach is to work regularly with clients, so that we develop an understanding of your specific requirements, and can tailor our services to meet your specific needs. Contact better languages today, without obligation, to discuss your needs for packaging translation.
better languages – 5 top tips when preparing pack copy for translation:
1) Give thought to the layout implications if you want to show several languages. Too few, and your project may not be cost effective, too many, and you lose clarity of presentation.
2) Think about translation when choosing wording. Short clear sentences will work best, and avoid idiomatic expressions and plays on words.
3) Minimise copy: more text equals more cost, but it isn’t only about price, presentation is likely to be clearer with less words, and you will have more space to work with.
4) If possible supply the text in an editable format. Its usually safest for us to supply the translation alongside the original text, and its easier if the source is editable.
5) Think about font compatibility. We provide most translations in Arial, as it has good compatibility across platforms. Avoid none-standard fonts as it could all end in tears.
betterlanguages.com – Five top tips for packaging translation disaster:
1) Changing language layout:
If you change the layout on the packaging without checking that the translations are still valid, it can give problems. Even something like wrapping text should be checked with the translators.
2) Mix and match:
Playing “mix and match” between bits of translated text: translation is normally contextual, and grabbing a word or phrase or merging phrases together can create rubbish out of good original translation. A key adage in our work is minimal manipulation of text – less change = less room for error.
3) Not getting the artwork checked and signed off by the translators:
We charge for checking artwork, because it is time consuming and has a cost, so in theory you save time and budget by not getting the artwork signed off, right? Well not quite, the cost of getting it wrong can be much higher. Examples of things we’ve spotted before artwork going to print have included corrupted text (such as Arabic wrongly set and displaying wrongly), mingled languages where artworkers have inserted bits of one language and bits of another together. Missing bits of text, words broken in the middle, wrong spacing or capitalisation…these are just a few examples, better corrected before print, especially if an error results in the need to withdraw the product from sale, or to over-sticker or otherwise re-label.
4) Getting the translation aspect of artwork checked by none linguists:
We work a lot with clients involved in export. A particular danger, especially in the case of smaller companies who use local distributors for export and don’t have language skills in house, is over reliance on distributors or local agents checking translations, or even providing them themselves. Distributors are often chosen for their English ability, the problem with this, is that clients often think that someone who is bilingual or who has a degree of knowledge about two languages can translate, and therefore can edit or change wording. Translation is a specialist skill, the majority of our translators are post-graduate level qualified, are working into their native language, and are specialised in translating the type of technical or marketing wording required. If a distributor offers to translate, or amend text, you should be very cautious, and question them a bit more closely on how they will go about it. We’ve seen great translation ruined by people dabbling.
5) Not localising for the target market:
It is easy to give offence or to produce a product which won’t sell simply through not understanding your target market. A common mistake is to assume that all the text for your home market is also relevant to the destination country. Good examples of this not being thought through are UK companies including a contact phone number which includes an 0845 code – commonly used in the UK, but not accessible to international callers, so why quote it? Worse still translating all the reasons the 0845 number should be used, this will just alienate your international customers further. Even supplying a correct UK number in the international format may not help, do you really want your customer service team fielding calls in 10 European languages?
These lists are not intended to be exhaustive, and there are many other issues with packaging translation. If you want to make use of the above list, you can use it, providing it is attributed to betterlanguages.com
