Can't see the wood from the trees? Have a look at our FAQs below for some answers...

Turnaround depends on word count. Translators typically handle 2,500 words of non-specialised text per day, with proofreading at 4,000–6,000 words daily. Our minimum turnaround is about three days, but we’re happy to discuss faster options if needed.

Brightlines is ISO 9001:2015 certified, ensuring high-quality standards. We follow the “four-eyes principle,” with every translation checked by a second professional proofreader (not the translator). For internal or reference-only use, or if you prefer to skip proofreading, we can adjust the process accordingly.

We have an extensive database with hundreds of trusted and tested translators covering all commercial languages.

Sorry, we do not translate for individuals.

Generally the transcreators will aim to offer you two to three alternatives for your slogan, including a back translation and the rationale behind each choice.

On average, a translator can process 2500 words per day for standard text, less for more technical or creative text. We guarantee project timescales when we quote, or when a range of projects have been specified and timescales agreed. We are extremely flexible and can usually help when times are tight.

To provide the best quality we only use tried-and-tested translators, matched to the specific industry domain of the client. We always recommend the translations are proofread by a second translator to guarantee the quality. The client is also free to deal with this themselves if they have employees willing and able to carry out proofing tasks.

Yes, it depends on the requirements and word count. For simple text needing only a standard translator for reference purposes (not for publication or legal use), that’s no problem. For more complex text, we can explore options like splitting it between translators. We’re happy to help with tight deadlines—just get in touch to discuss.

Google lacks the accuracy of a human translator because it can't understand context. For example, the Spanish word “molestar” could mean disturb, bother, irritate, hassle, or inconvenience. In a formal document, “inconvenience” might be best, while “bother” could suit a conversation in a book. Google can’t make that distinction—but a professional translator can, ensuring the most appropriate translation every time.

Yes, for standard translations we can provide an estimate of costs over the phone. If we can see and analyse the source file, we will be able to provide a more accurate quote, which could save you money.

New clients usually pay 50% of the project costs upfront and 50% on delivery. Regular clients are eligible to set up an account with us which will allow payment terms of 14 days.

Yes. When we have analysed the file you may be entitled to discounts based on repetitions (repeated words) and, if you are a regular client, matches with previous translations picked up by our translation memory. If ours is not the best quote but you would like to work with us, please do get in touch and we will see if there is room to manoeuvre on price whilst retaining quality.

We have internal admin costs and translator costs which are the same for a 50-word project as they are for a 500-word project.

Yes, always. All our translators are native speakers and most are still resident in their native country. We pride ourselves on ensuring that all Brightlines’ translators are native. We do not accept applications from non-native candidates or allow them to register on our online recruitment database. All our translators are rigorously tested.

Since our translators are all native, most are based in-country. This is extremely beneficial as it means that the translator is up-to-date with language trends, cultural trends, slang, news and the general mood in their native country. The advantages of this cannot be overstated.

All our translators undergo rigorous testing before working for Brightlines. They have a minimum of five years’ experience and only translate into their mother tongue, usually from within their home country to stay current with the language. We carefully match translators to projects based on subject matter, and most have industry experience in their speciality. Costs reflect translator experience, speciality (e.g., medical, creative, scientific), and language choice.

Yes, we aim to keep the same translators for specific projects and clients to ensure consistency and familiarity with your business and style. One of our longest-standing clients (13+ years) has had the same German translator for 10 years. We also use translation memory and glossaries to maintain consistency.

Transcreators often request the opportunity to sleep on their ideas and look at their slogans with fresh eyes the next day or so.

In general, it is fine to email the files over. If they are large files you could send them using WeTransfer, FTP/SFTP, or through a link to the file in Google Drive, Dropbox or any other cloud storage system.

Yes, you can send scanned documents for translation. The quality of the scan is important – if it is badly scanned or faded then the translators may have to spend more time deciphering the text which can have an impact on costs. For high quality scans we can use OCR technology to extract the text. If we receive a scanned document, we will deliver a translated Word document in return, unless you have requested an alternative format. If you would like the translation formatting in the same way as the original with images and logos etc., this can be arranged at an additional cost.

We have an extensive font library, but if you have used a special font for your InDesign project you will need to supply us with it (if the license allows this) when you send the source files over. Not all fonts support all languages; if you have a specific font you want to use we can help you source an equivalent or a different version that does support the languages required.

Without the images for an InDesign project we will be unable to check that the document is typeset correctly before delivering the file back to you. If the size of the links are large we can start with just the InDesign file and the links can be uploaded whilst we are translating the document. We generally only need the links at the typesetting stage.

We can translate the slide text and the notes directly in the PowerPoint files so you do not need to supply the text separately.

Yes. We can re-create a file using just the PDF but we may need you to provide high-resolution versions of any images within the document if it is to be used for high quality printing.

Below is a list of file types we can accept. If one is not listed, we can usually accommodate it. Adobe FrameMaker (mif), Adobe Illustrator (fxg, svg), Adobe InDesign (idml, optional indd), Adobe Photoshop (asp, aspx, dita, html, htm, ini), iPhone apps (strings), Java property files (json), Microsoft Office (doc, docx, xls, xlsx, ppt, pptx), Microsoft Visio (vdx), Open Office (sxw, odt, ods, odp), Trados (ttx), Wordfast (txml), as well as pdf (returns MS Word doc), resx, php, po / pot, rc, rtf, sdf, srt, svg, tpl, txt, xhtml, xht, Xlf, xliff, sdlxliff, xml, yml, and yaml.

We can enable the upload of files to our portal where you can generate instant quotes and start translations, or you can email them to us. We also have a secure workflow where all documents are exchanged on secure (SFTP) file servers. This could be used for embargoed or commercially sensitive documents.

Specialised terminology refers to any words or phrases within the translation which are used within a specific industry domain. For example, a text relating to Nanotechnology makes reference to ‘Nanopillars’. This is a specialised term and would need a specialist translator well-versed in nanotechnology to know how it should be translated.

When we talk about typesetting (or DTP), we are generally referring to the formatting of the translated text in the target document so that it retains the same style and layout as the original. Typesetting is usually carried out in page layout software such as Adobe InDesign or QuarkXPress, but we can also typeset in other packages such as MS Word, MS Publisher or PowerPoint. Translations can cause the text to expand by as much as 30%, so experts are needed to make sure the text fits back into the original layout without losing the design style of the original. We have typesetting specialists who can make your translated documents look as close to the original as possible in any language.

“Repetitions” or “reps” refer to repeated words or phrases within a document. If you have a clothes catalogue that requires translation of the term, “100% organic cotton”, then this may appear multiple times within the document. These terms will only need to be translated once, subsequent instances would just have to be checked. We are able to offer price discounts for projects where repetitions occur.

This generally means that you need a certificate from the translation agency or translator to say that, to the best of their knowledge, the translation is an accurate representation of the source text. This is generally only required for legal translations.

Transcreation is a much more creative way of translating that is particularly useful for marketing text and slogans. For more information, please see our blog articles on transcreation.

We have secure audited workflows available for clients that need highly confidential documents translated. Please contact us for more information.

Yes, we can send you a bi-lingual file when the translation is finished.

Yes you can. Our office usually closes at 5:30pm and we are closed at weekends. But clients often need to deliver files later or over the weekend, and a 24 hour service is provided if required.

We use both, Macs and PCs.

Yes we can take care of this. However, once we have started translating the file, any changes or amendments to the source text may be chargeable as client amendments.