As more clients request fully localized digital and print materials, the question isn’t just about what to translate, but how to translate images in a way that preserves design and meaning across languages.
Translation companies know better than anyone that content is more than words; it’s layout, design, and visual impact too.
At Foliage Solutions, we specialize in partnering with LSPs to deliver seamless, accurate, and visually consistent image translations through professional DTP services that elevate the final deliverable.
Why translating images is a growing opportunity for LSPs
Whether it’s infographics, product packaging, brochures, or training materials, images are often packed with embedded text. These visual assets are crucial in marketing, compliance, and product communication.
And, when your end client expands into new markets, they expect those visuals to be translated and ready to publish, without losing their original impact.
But translating images takes more than linguistic skills. It takes extraction from images to texts, multilingual layout expertise, and knowledge of professional DTP software and graphic formats.
That’s where Foliage Solutions steps in; to support LSPs in delivering polished, production-ready results.
How to translate images (Foliage Solutions’ 5-step production process)
Here’s how we help translation companies like yours take image localization to the next level:
1. Extracting text (images to text conversion)
We start by converting non-editable image formats into editable files.
Using a mix of OCR tools and manual checks, we pull text accurately from images, diagrams, and scans, ready for your translation team to work with.
2. We work with your translated content
Once your linguistic team completes the translation, you send us the localized content. Our DTP specialists reinsert the translated text back into the visuals, preserving design integrity while making adjustments for text expansion, font differences, or right-to-left scripts.
You control the words, and we take care of the layout.
3. Rebuilding the design with multilingual DTP services
Using tools like Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop, we reconstruct the original layout with the new language version.
We ensure the visual structure, branding, and formatting match client expectations across every file and language.
4. Image localization
We can localize more than just text.
If your client requests visual adaptation, like swapping images, changing icons, or updating culturally specific elements, we can handle those modifications too.
5. Final QA and delivery
Before delivery, our team runs a multi-step quality assurance process, checking everything from line breaks and fonts to language-specific punctuation and layout balance. You receive files that are visually polished, linguistically consistent, and ready to deliver to your client.
Common image formats we work with
When it comes to translating images, not all file formats are created equal. Some are editable and layered, while others are flattened and require more manual handling.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common formats we handle:
Non-editable or flattened formats (require OCR or recreation)
- JPG/JPEG & PNG – Widely used on the web and in static visuals. We extract text via OCR, then rebuild layouts if needed.
- TIFF – Often found in scanned documents. Higher resolution, but usually requires full reconstruction for localization.
Editable formats (preferred for faster workflows)
- AI (Adobe Illustrator) – Ideal for logos, product labels, infographics, and marketing visuals. We retain layers and vector elements for easy localization.
- PSD (Adobe Photoshop) – Used for more complex visuals, especially when design and photo manipulation are involved.
- INDD/IDML (Adobe InDesign) – Common for brochures, catalogs, and manuals. We handle layout-heavy documents across multiple languages.
- SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) – Great for web and digital content. Easily scalable and editable, often used in e-learning and software UI.
Semi-editable or document-based formats
- PDF – Often used for final print or reference. Depending on how it’s exported, we may extract content via OCR or edit directly in Adobe tools.
- PPT/PPTX – Frequently used in training and corporate presentations. We handle text reflow and design adjustments across slides.
🔄 Bonus: Embedded images in Word or Excel
Text within charts, tables, and screenshots also needs extraction and reintegration – something we regularly handle during desktop publishing for LSPs.
No matter what file type your client provides, we adapt our process to ensure the translated version maintains the same professional visual standard.
FACT: Translated images matter for web SEO
LSPs are increasingly involved in localizing websites, and images play a key role there too.
According to Google Lens:
“A high proportion of Google Lens results are pulled from images high up on a page. In fact, approximately 1/3rd of all Google Lens image results appear in the top 25% of a web page.”
That means if your client’s visuals aren’t translated, they’re missing out on visibility in visual search.
Pinterest and Amazon rank for a large number of visual searches, as published by recent research from Backlinko. In fact, 11.3% of all Google Lens results come from these two platforms alone.
What do they have in common? They feature images prominently at the top of the page, load fast, and are mobile-friendly – all factors that contribute to strong visual SEO performance.
But, there’s more! 80.2% of Google Lens results come from the “other” category, which means that no single site dominates the visual search landscape. This is good news for your clients – it means that with high-quality, well-localized images, they too can rank in visual search.
Foliage Solutions helps you deliver those results: localized images that not only communicate effectively across languages, but also contribute to SEO and accessibility goals.
Why LSPs choose Foliage Solutions
When LSPs need a reliable, flexible DTP partner to handle how to translate images, they turn to Foliage Solutions. Here’s why:
✅ We integrate seamlessly with your workflows
✅ We handle all common file types and DTP & design tools
✅ We maintain brand consistency across all language versions
✅ We act fast without compromising quality
✅ We help you say “yes” to more client requests, without stretching your team
Let’s work together
If you’re an LSP looking for a DTP partner to manage the technical side of image translation, Foliage Solutions is here to help. 📩 Get in touch with us to discuss your next multilingual visual project.