A preflight analysis is a structured evaluation process that examines every aspect of your source files relevant to translation and DTP production. The goal is to eliminate unknowns before work begins, so that cost estimates are accurate, timelines are realistic, and the production team has clear instructions for handling every file in the project.
Step 1 — File Inventory and Validation: We catalog all received files, verify they open without errors in their native applications, check version compatibility, and confirm that all linked assets (images, fonts, external data sources) are included or can be obtained. Missing fonts are a common issue — we identify them upfront and either source them, recommend substitutions, or flag them for client resolution.
Step 2 — Editability Assessment: We determine whether each file is fully editable, partially editable, or non-editable. Fully editable files (live text in native format) proceed through standard DTP. Partially editable files (some text flattened, some live) require a hybrid approach. Non-editable files (scanned documents, rasterized layouts) need full reconstruction, which we scope separately.
Step 3 — Content Extraction and Word Count: We extract translatable text using application-native methods and produce per-file word counts. We distinguish between unique text and repeated text (which may benefit from translation memory), and between body text and peripheral text (headers, footers, captions, callouts).
Step 4 — Risk and Complexity Assessment: We evaluate factors that affect production complexity: text expansion space available in the layout, number of languages with right-to-left script requirements, font availability for target languages, image-embedded text requiring graphic recreation, and any elements needing cultural adaptation.
Step 5 — Workflow Recommendation and Quote: Based on the analysis, we recommend one-step or two-step DTP (or a hybrid), provide a detailed cost estimate per file and per language, and propose a production timeline. The preflight report becomes the project specification document that guides all subsequent production work.
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