Translate IDML files with ease

An IDML file is a document created using Adobe InDesign, a professional desktop publishing software that has become widely used across many creative, graphic design, publishing, and marketing sectors. These files are typically used for designing layouts for various forms of print and digital media, including brochures, magazines, eBooks, posters, greeting cards, infographics, menus, and others.

Because of the wide range of media that can be created with InDesign, there are multiple file extensions associated with the software platform. 

To prepare your IDML document for translation with Smartcat be sure to save it as .idml (markup file) within InDesign to ensure compatibility with the translation software.

The increasingly globalized nature of the modern economy has made it crucial for companies to translate their designs, from print brochures to posters and eBooks, to the native language of their target markets. However, translating such a complex file type, with precise layout and visual design elements, can be complicated.

Traditionally, in order to translate an InDesign file to a professional standard, you would send your file to a certified translator or agency specializing in the chosen language. They would then translate the text for you, but you would have to take the extra steps of reformatting your InDesign files with the translated text. This traditional model has many drawbacks—long delays, repetitive manual tasks, and high costs. It can be more efficient to use an advanced in-house translation platform instead.

Using Smartcat, you can simply upload your InDesign file to the Smartcat platform, translate it quickly using Smartcat’s adaptive AI, and then manage the entire review process from Smartcat’s intuitive collaboration platform. Smartcat ensures that your layout and design elements remain intact while providing accurate translation and streamlined workflows.

To change the language of an InDesign file in Adobe InDesign, you can select the text, go to the character panel, and choose the desired language from the language dropdown menu. 

For accurate, comprehensive document translation, a dedicated translation platform like Smartcat can optimize performance for global market launch. Smartcat can handle complex translation at an affordable cost while maintaining the integrity of your design.

Translating InDesign files, especially for multilingual projects, requires careful planning and attention to detail to maintain the integrity of the design while ensuring accurate translation. Here are some best practices for translating InDesign files:

• Apply paragraph and character styles to text: This helps ensure consistent formatting and organized layers for easier translation.

• Account for text expansion/contraction: Some languages will require more or less space to say the same thing than others—design with flexible text frames to handle different text lengths in the translated version.

• Maintain layout integrity: Adjust layouts for right-to-left languages and adapt or recreate graphics with embedded text.

• Use machine translation tools: Advanced AI translators that leverage translation memory and custom glossaries like Smartcat’s document translator will greatly speed up translation projects while maintaining a high level of accuracy.

• Work with native reviewers: Have native speakers review the translated document for accuracy and cultural relevance. Smartcat Marketplace makes it easy to source native language experts for a streamlined review experience.

• Implement version control: Keep backup copies and use clear file naming to differentiate language versions.

Smartcat offers a comprehensive solution for translating InDesign files, combining AI-driven translation with human expertise to deliver accurate, on-brand results. The platform supports large volumes of content, integrates seamlessly with your existing tools, and provides robust data security. Additionally, Smartcat’s collaborative features and access to a global network of professional linguists make it the ideal choice for efficient and high-quality translations.

Reasons to pick Smartcat as your translation platform include:

• Support for a wide range of languages: Smartcat supports translation in over 280 languages, catering to a wide array of global business needs. From world languages like English and Spanish to many less widely spoken languages, Smartcat allows you to target the markets you want with the highest standard of accuracy.

• Excellent translation quality at unbeatable speed: Smartcat combines AI and human workflows to deliver fast and consistently accurate translations. Built-in QA tools, including the Translation Quality Score (TQS), translation memory, and glossary integration, enhance quality by adapting to your preferences over time, allowing reviewers to concentrate on the most critical edits.

• Enterprise-level security: Smartcat adheres to stringent enterprise security standards, employing advanced encryption and industry-leading cloud security measures. Smartcat’s data centers are SOC-1, SOC-2, and SOC-3 compliant, with round-the-clock staffing and monitoring.

• Customizable workflows: Smartcat offers robust customization options. You can tailor workflows by setting specific translation guidelines, uploading company-specific glossaries, establishing approval processes, and integrating with various applications to meet your team’s needs.

The Smartcat AI Translator is a powerful feature of the Smartcat platform, enabling users to translate Adobe InDesign files and various other document and multimedia formats with speed and precision using AI.

What sets Smartcat apart as a translation tool is that It selects the optimal algorithm for your specific content type and offers extensive customization options. It leverages advanced translation resources, such as translation memory and glossaries, to deliver fast translations that align with your brand’s voice and terminology. You can further refine these translations by manually editing them, inviting team members to collaborate, or hiring professional linguists from Smartcat’s Marketplace to perfect the results.

Smartcat offers over 30 integrations, seamlessly connecting with popular workplace software solutions, from coding platforms like Github to popular workplace productivity and web publishing apps such as G-Suite or WordPress. 

Don’t see your preferred workspace tools on the list? Custom API access is also available for specific development needs, ensuring smooth integration with your existing tech stack.