How can I reduce the cost of printing foreign language versions of my brochure?

（Edited by freelance Chinese translator li – English to Chinese or Chinese to English translation services）

All too often, we see designs for promotional literature where a simple change of text to a foreign language results in a complete set of 4 colour printing plates being required at great expense, not to mention the resultant 4 colour printing costs. If planned from the start, costs for a multi-lingual leaflet can be reduced by designing it such that all of the text which will be translated is black only and is separate from any photos or other graphics. At the initial printing stage, the print run would consist of 4 colour process printing, including the black text. If the printer has suitable facilities, the text can be run as a 5th colour and the text plate swapped to the foreign language version mid way through the print run, thereby minimising set up costs. If changes to the text are subsequently required, only one set of printing plates, i.e. the black text ones must be changed, rather than a complete set of 4 colour plates. Using such a technique, if the quantity requirement for foreign language versions is initially unclear, a number of blanks, i.e. Colour brochures minus text can be printed at the same time. This can subsequently be printed with the appropriate text in relatively small quantities on a simple one colour black only printing press at an economically attractive rate.