Rates: Freelance DTP QA Resource
Thread poster: peter parker (X)
peter parker (X)
peter parker (X)
English
Mar 26, 2007

I am looking into freelance opportunities as a DTP QA resource for various localization companies in the U.S. I would like to know approximately how much I should charge other U.S. localization companies for my services.

QUALIFICATIONS:
I have an exceptional eye for detail and a background in graphic design and page layout. I am well-versed in many language-specific punctuation and numbering conventions. I provided DTP QA from English (source language) to the following target
... See more
I am looking into freelance opportunities as a DTP QA resource for various localization companies in the U.S. I would like to know approximately how much I should charge other U.S. localization companies for my services.

QUALIFICATIONS:
I have an exceptional eye for detail and a background in graphic design and page layout. I am well-versed in many language-specific punctuation and numbering conventions. I provided DTP QA from English (source language) to the following target languages: Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Hebrew, Japanese, Eastern and Western European language groups. I am adept at analyzing PDFs for problems and inconsistencies as well. Documents ranged in size from small stickers to 250 page long manuals.
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Nicole Schnell
Nicole Schnell  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 08:15
English to German
+ ...
In memoriam
Hi! Mar 30, 2007

I am not aware of any freelance opportunities in this particular field. This is a job that is done in-house - and I dread the results that I receive back from translation agencies for review.

There are too many people out there claiming that they can do typesetting in foreign languages without having proficiency in any of them.

Peter - how come that you even remotely feel comfortable with taking care of typesetting in various alphabets from all over the world and near
... See more
I am not aware of any freelance opportunities in this particular field. This is a job that is done in-house - and I dread the results that I receive back from translation agencies for review.

There are too many people out there claiming that they can do typesetting in foreign languages without having proficiency in any of them.

Peter - how come that you even remotely feel comfortable with taking care of typesetting in various alphabets from all over the world and nearly 20 different languages (just an estimate according to the "language groups" stated) without speaking any of them?

So, you know how to hyphenate words at a line-break in all those different languages? Good job!

And you know how to correct professional translators in punctuation and numbering conventions, not to mention "eye for detail", even if you don't speak the language? Hey, you are hired!

Sorry, Peter. Only Spidey can do that.

))))))))

Greetings,

Nicole Schnell

Art Director and Translator
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peter parker (X)
peter parker (X)
English
TOPIC STARTER
DTP Quality Assurance (i.e. DTP QA) Mar 30, 2007

Ms. Schnell,

Thank you for taking the time to read my posting.

DTP QA stands for Desktop Publishing Quality Assurance. It is a separate service from Desktop Publishing (DTP), Editing and Proofreading, respectively.
As for the language-specific punctuation and numbering conventions I referred to, I did not mean to suggest that my DTP QA services take the place of Editing or Proofreading. But rather, that my knowledge of some of these conventions have, in fact, pro
... See more
Ms. Schnell,

Thank you for taking the time to read my posting.

DTP QA stands for Desktop Publishing Quality Assurance. It is a separate service from Desktop Publishing (DTP), Editing and Proofreading, respectively.
As for the language-specific punctuation and numbering conventions I referred to, I did not mean to suggest that my DTP QA services take the place of Editing or Proofreading. But rather, that my knowledge of some of these conventions have, in fact, proven useful in the delivery of quality projects.

The quality of multi-lingual DTP work reflects on everyone involved in the localization of such projects. The DTP is the presentation.

DTP QA is a service that can be outsourced (or provided in-house) depending on the company's preference.

Best,
Peter


Nicole Schnell wrote:

I am not aware of any freelance opportunities in this particular field. This is a job that is done in-house - and I dread the results that I receive back from translation agencies for review.

There are too many people out there claiming that they can do typesetting in foreign languages without having proficiency in any of them.

Peter - how come that you even remotely feel comfortable with taking care of typesetting in various alphabets from all over the world and nearly 20 different languages (just an estimate according to the "language groups" stated) without speaking any of them?

So, you know how to hyphenate words at a line-break in all those different languages? Good job!

And you know how to correct professional translators in punctuation and numbering conventions, not to mention "eye for detail", even if you don't speak the language? Hey, you are hired!

Sorry, Peter. Only Spidey can do that.

))))))))

Greetings,

Nicole Schnell

Art Director and Translator

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Nicole Schnell
Nicole Schnell  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 08:15
English to German
+ ...
In memoriam
Hi Peter! Mar 30, 2007

I am well aware what QA means. I am a translator. I also don't need an explanation of DTP.

However, if I were you I would try some websites of companies offering those services. Some of them are offering free estimates. This will give you an idea regarding the fees. I don't think that asking for specific rates will be very fruitful in this forum.

A hint: Whenever I am outsourcing tech jobs I go by the rates charged by local specialists, e.g. typesetting by means of par
... See more
I am well aware what QA means. I am a translator. I also don't need an explanation of DTP.

However, if I were you I would try some websites of companies offering those services. Some of them are offering free estimates. This will give you an idea regarding the fees. I don't think that asking for specific rates will be very fruitful in this forum.

A hint: Whenever I am outsourcing tech jobs I go by the rates charged by local specialists, e.g. typesetting by means of particular software which I don't happen to own or conversion of files.

In my city I won't get any of such services under $xx.xx / hour, but you don't indicate where you live, what you do, yet you expect a universial price list. Hmmm...

Geddit?

Best.

)))
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Angelina Galanska
Angelina Galanska  Identity Verified
United States
Member (2014)
English to Bulgarian
+ ...
DTP QA Dec 20, 2014

Dear Peter:

Quality Assurance for DTP is a task which is usually done in-house. It is possible to get Freelance QA jobs as well but I would suggest becoming a vendor of DTP services in general.


 


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Rates: Freelance DTP QA Resource







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