How to choose an international translation company
Selecting an international translation company can make or break global growth. This guide shows what to check—from standards to pricing—so you can buy with confidence.
Table of Contents
What an international translation company delivers
A mature international translation company blends expert linguists with proven processes. You should expect scalable capacity, consistent terminology, and transparent communication across time zones. Beyond raw word-rates, look for proactive risk control: early queries resolved, reference materials managed, and final files formatted to spec.
The right partner also offers breadth without losing depth. That means core translation services supported by project management, QA, and desktop publishing for multilingual content. If your teams are launching products in multiple countries at once, an international translation company reduces coordination friction and keeps deliverables aligned.
How an international translation company ensures quality
Quality is a system, not an afterthought. A credible provider applies a documented workflow—translation, independent revision, and final verification—to every file, not only “important” ones. They keep a living glossary and style guide, and update both after each project so knowledge compounds.
Ask how they train people and measure results. Continuous learning and audits matter more than slogans; review evidence of ongoing training and a measurable commitment to “Zero Errors — Total Satisfaction” (see the programme here: Zero Errors — Total Satisfaction). The right international translation company will show sample QA reports, not just promises.
Quality standards and ISO 17100 explained
Standards turn good intentions into repeatable outcomes. ISO 17100 defines roles, competencies, and the required two-linguist process (translator + independent reviewer). It also requires project prep, terminology control, and traceability so you can audit who did what and when. When you see ISO 17100, you’re buying a workflow with built-in checks.
Still, certification is a floor, not a ceiling. Ask how the provider extends it—e.g., with terminology QA, risk registers, or client-approved checklists. A truly international translation company will align its process with your internal SOPs and regulated-industry needs, then prove conformance through reports.
If you need sworn or certified outputs, verify the company’s experience with certified translations and local filing practices. Requirements vary by country; the vendor should explain differences clearly and prepare documents accordingly.
Turnaround time, pricing, and scope control
Speed depends on preparation more than on throwing people at the file. Provide glossaries, references, and context early; in return, expect a realistic schedule with milestones, handoffs, and named reviewers. When an international translation company quotes a rush, ask what changes in the workflow and how they protect quality.
Pricing should be transparent. You want a clear split between translation, revision, engineering/layout, and any extras such as certified copies. Agree on review rounds, file formats, and delivery packs so scope doesn’t creep. Use termbases and reference packs to avoid rework that inflates cost.
For ongoing programmes, request a playbook: how updates are handled, how memories and termbases are maintained, and how changes trigger re-translation or delta review. Tie this to SLAs so service quality is measurable over time.
Specialised sectors: legal, technical, and life sciences
Domain expertise is non-negotiable. Contracts, patents, manuals, labels, and clinical content each carry specific constraints. Your provider should map jobs to specialists—legal translation to legal linguists, technical translation to engineers, and so on—then validate with a second expert review.
Regulated fields require extra diligence. For legalisation and apostilles, ensure the team understands local procedures; for life sciences, align style with agency expectations and keep a change log. A strong international translation company will volunteer past case studies and sample redactions that demonstrate control without exposing confidential data.
Workflow, tools, and confidentiality at scale
Ask how projects move from quote to delivery. Look for structured intake, reference curation, pre-flight checks, and tracked queries. Memory-assisted translation should be standard; termbases must be client-specific and locked down. Security matters too: access control, NDAs, and encrypted transfer should be routine, not exceptions.
Culture is the multiplier. A provider with continuous improvement in its DNA will solicit feedback and act on it. If they say “we translate the world,” confirm the mindset with real practices—see their values page (we translate the world) and ask for examples. An international translation company that couples process with people will deliver consistent results release after release.
Finally, pick for fit as well as skill. An international translation company should adapt to your tools and governance, not the other way around. Start with a pilot, agree on KPIs, and expand once the team proves reliable under real-world conditions.
FAQ
Q1. What’s the difference between translation, revision, and proofreading?
Translation is the first pass that converts source meaning into the target language while following your style and terminology. It requires subject-matter knowledge and access to previous materials so choices stay consistent and relevant to your audience. A good translator makes reasoned decisions and documents any uncertainties as queries.
Revision is a second-linguist review that compares source and target line by line. The reviser corrects errors, resolves ambiguities, and enforces glossary rules. Proofreading, by contrast, is a final check of the target text alone: layout, punctuation, breaks, and visual issues. In professional workflows, revision and proofreading are separate steps so nothing slips through.
Q2. Do I need ISO 17100 certification for every project?
You don’t need the certificate itself, but you do want the underlying practices. ISO 17100 formalises the two-linguist process (translation + independent review), role competencies, and documentation such as glossaries and project records. Those controls help keep quality consistent across teams and time.
In regulated industries, auditors expect traceability: who touched the file, when, and under what checks. Even for marketing content, the same structure reduces risk and rework. If a provider follows ISO 17100 faithfully and can show evidence—checklists, QA logs, corrective actions—you benefit whether or not the paper certificate is attached to each delivery.
Q3. How can I compare quotes from different providers fairly?
Normalize scope first. Ensure each quote covers the same files, languages, and deliverables, including engineering and layout. Share the same glossary, reference pack, and sample segment so vendors estimate against identical assumptions.
Then compare more than price: assess timeline, review rounds, QA steps, and who performs the independent check. Ask for a sample QA report and the escalation path for issues. The “cheapest” option often omits revision or uses generalists; a transparent quote shows where time is spent and how quality will be protected.
Q4. What should a good kickoff pack include?
At minimum: goals, audience, tone, and any non-negotiable terminology. Add previous translations, reference PDFs, and a short list of “do/don’t” examples. Include correct product names, trademarks, units, and formatting quirks so the team doesn’t guess.
Operationally, provide file formats, delivery dates, reviewer contacts, and how to name files. If you have preferred tools or platforms, specify them and share access. The more context you give up front, the faster the team can move without sacrificing quality—and the fewer edits you’ll need later.
