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Contact info@skrivanek.com +420 605 221 857 Production and localisation studio of the Skřivánek group
Technical localisation · DTP

Technical documentation every market understands

We translate technical documentation and typeset it too: manuals, operating instructions, service handbooks and spare-parts catalogues in every language version you need. We work directly in your source files (Adobe FrameMaker, InDesign, Acrobat, AutoCAD or Microsoft Visio) and keep the structure, numbering, cross-references and index of the original.

Request documentation work Tools we work in
Technical documentation translation – a multilingual manual typeset in Adobe FrameMaker
Technical documentation

What multilingual technical documentation is

Technical documentation is the set of materials that describe how to install, use, maintain and repair a product safely, from the operating manual to the spare-parts catalogue. If you sell the product abroad, the manual and the safety information usually have to be in the language of the country of sale. European regulations for machinery or medical devices, for example, require it.

Localising technical documentation is therefore more than translation. It combines specialist translation, terminology management and typesetting in the source tool, so that every language version is as accurate, clear and usable as the original.

  • 110 languages

    CZ, EN, DE, FR, PL, ES, IT, SK, NL, RU, HU, PT and more…

  • Certified processes

    ISO 9001, 14001 and 27001 within the Skřivánek group

  • 30 years of experience

    of the Skřivánek language group

  • Outputs

    MIF/FM, PDF, XML, HTML, INDD/IDML, DWG/DXF, VSDX

04 — Technical documentation

What's included

Translation, typesetting and the technical preparation of the documentation come as one delivery, so you do not have to coordinate several suppliers. We keep the structure, styles, numbering, tables, cross-references and index even when the translated text is longer or shorter than the original.

  • Manuals and operating instructions – user and service
  • Assembly and installation documentation, work procedures
  • Spare-parts catalogues, data sheets and technical sheets
  • Safety data sheets, labels and warning texts
  • Technical drawings, schematics and process maps
  • Training materials, e-books and online help (HTML)

Large manuals and structured documentation with frequent updates.

More about the tool
Process

How technical documentation translation works

  1. 01

    Source file analysis

    We go through the supplied files (FrameMaker, InDesign, PDF, DWG, Visio or Word), the scope, the number of language versions and the repeated content, and propose a procedure and a deadline.

  2. 02

    Preparation for translation

    We export the text into a translation format that keeps the document structure and leaves untranslatable elements alone. For scans or PDFs without a source file we use OCR or conversion into an editable form.

  3. 03

    Specialist translation and terminology

    The Skřivánek group translates using translation memories and terminology databases, so terms stay consistent across all manuals and language versions.

  4. 04

    Typesetting in the source tool

    We return the translated text to the original tool and typeset every language version separately: we watch line breaks, tables, images, labels in drawings and cross-references.

  5. 05

    Linguistic and technical QA, delivery

    We check terminology, typography, character rendering, links and images. We deliver output for print and web and stay available for further updates.

Tools

Tools for technical documentation

We process the documentation in the tool it was created in, so you can keep editing the resulting files yourself. No licences to buy, no specialist for a particular piece of software to find – just send us the files.

  • Adobe FrameMaker

    Large manuals and structured documentation

    The specialist tool for large technical manuals, service handbooks and structured documents with frequent updates. We handle typesetting, localisation and multilingual versions including validation before export, translation memory management and long-term documentation management.

    OutputsMIF/FM, PDF, XML, HTML, EPUB

    Learn more
  • Adobe InDesign

    Visually demanding guides and parts catalogues

    Suited to guides, handbooks and spare-parts catalogues with a large share of graphics and images. We typeset every language version in the original layout, keeping the typography and the brand's visual style.

    OutputsINDD, IDML, PDF for print and web

    Learn more
  • Adobe Acrobat

    PDFs, scans and technical drawings in PDF

    When your documentation exists only as a PDF or a scan. We convert it with OCR into an editable form, translate notes and comments, process technical drawings and schematics in PDF or prepare a conversion to InDesign for further typesetting.

    OutputsPDF, DOC(X), FDF/XFDF, INDD/IDML

    Learn more
  • AutoCAD

    Technical drawings, plans and schematics

    We translate the labels in drawings without disturbing their technical logic. We watch layers, scales, units and SHX fonts. Drawings available only as PDF can be rebuilt into editable DWG.

    OutputsDWG, DXF, PDF, DWT templates

    Learn more
  • Microsoft Visio

    Schematics, process maps and diagrams

    Diagrams, electrical and process schematics, work procedures or organisational charts in every language version, with the translated text fitting the original layout and the visualisation staying clear.

    OutputsVSDX, VSDM, PDF

    Learn more

Which tool for which kind of documentation

Type of documentationToolOutput formats
Large manuals, service handbooks, structured documentationAdobe FrameMakerMIF/FM, PDF, XML, HTML, EPUB
Graphics-heavy guides, spare-parts cataloguesAdobe InDesignINDD, IDML, PDF
Documentation only as PDF, scans, forms, drawings in PDFAdobe AcrobatPDF, DOC(X), FDF/XFDF
Technical drawings, plans, production documentsAutoCADDWG, DXF, PDF, DWT
Schematics, process maps, diagrams, work proceduresMicrosoft VisioVSDX, VSDM, PDF
All tools
Why Formatiqo

Why entrust your technical documentation to Formatiqo

  • Translation and typesetting from one place

    The documentation does not travel between a translation agency and a DTP studio.

  • Certified quality and security

    Processes to ISO 9001, 14001 and 27001, proven in regulated sectors such as medtech, automotive or pharma.

  • Consistent terminology

    Translation memories and terminology databases keep terms consistent across manuals, versions and languages. Updates only retranslate the changed text.

  • Technical output checks

    We check links, numbering, characters and non-Latin scripts, layers in drawings and the parameters for print and web.

Who it is for

Who the service is for

Manufacturing, engineering and technical companies that export and need manuals, guides and service documentation in several languages. Foreign manufacturers entering the Czech market that need a Czech version of their manual. Product teams with frequent documentation updates, and companies in regulated sectors such as medtech, automotive or pharma.

FAQ

What people ask most often

  • The price of translation and typesetting depends on the size of the document, the number of language versions, the tool used and the state of the source files. Repeated text lowers it too, because translation memories mean we do not translate it again. After a no-obligation inquiry we prepare an indicative tailored quote.

  • It depends on the scope, the number of languages and the amount of graphics. We process language versions in parallel, so each additional language does not extend the deadline much. As a guide, days to weeks from receiving the files. We state the exact deadline in the quote.

  • No. Send us the files and we process them in the original tool. You receive the finished files in a format you can keep working with.

  • We convert the text into an editable form with OCR. The document can then be converted to InDesign (INDD/IDML) and drawings from PDF rebuilt into DWG, so a new language version can be prepared.

  • Yes. We return the translated text to the source tool, so styles, chapter numbering, tables, cross-references and the index are preserved. Everything is checked in the final QA.

  • Yes. We work with processes certified to ISO 9001, 14001 and 27001 within the Skřivánek group, proven for medtech, automotive and pharma.

  • Thanks to translation memories we translate only new or changed text and the terminology stays consistent. For companies with frequent updates we offer long-term documentation management with priority deadlines and a dedicated project manager.

  • As standard we work in 12 languages: Czech, English, German, French, Polish, Spanish, Italian, Slovak, Dutch, Russian, Hungarian and Portuguese. We are happy to discuss other languages, including non-Latin scripts.

Have documentation that needs translating or typesetting?

Send us a sample of the source files and the list of languages. We will advise on the right procedure and prepare an indicative tailored quote.

Request documentation work