Your Guide to Chinese Fashion Translation (Fashion and Global Luxury Brands)

Do you have a ton of product catalogs that need Chinese translation? So, what’s your next step?

If you’re in the fashion and luxury industries, this post serves as your guide. Whether you need Chinese versions of a pile of documents, a powerpoint presentation or any marketing campaign, you need to work with translators who have creative translating and writing skills in Chinese.

This guide will cover how to get started, the translation workflow of the team, how to save more on high-volume orders, and other things to consider when localizing and translating materials, and more.

The skills required in translating fashion content are different from the legal and healthcare industries.

Why should the fashion industry embrace Chinese language solutions?

The value of the global fashion industry is $3 trillion, which is 2% of the world’s GDP (gross domestic product) according to Fashion United. Meanwhile, the retail value of the luxury goods market is worth $339.4 billion.

Chinese consumers are heavy spenders when it comes to western brands like luxury goods, from clothes to bags and accessories. Western brands should keep up with what consumers want and also embrace localization and translation strategies to promote their products and services. 

According to the Boston Consulting Group, the Chinese fashion industry is set to become the world’s second fashion market by 2020. So, for the western brands, there are a ton of opportunities to unlock in this market. 

In a nutshell, western brands should embrace Chinese language solutions because consumers are willing to pay more when they can shop and read product features written in their native language. 

Small or big brands-Chinese fashion translation process is a must

An established translation workflow helps in managing the projects. It also streamlines the communication from the client to the team. And it ensures that everyone is in sync with the deliverables.

Here’s how our team handles fashion translation projects.

#1 Free Quotation

We ask our clients to sends the documents, so we can provide an estimate of the entire project based on requirements and number of words. The quotation is received within 24-48 hours (business days). And ideally, even within the day if the client can send the documents as soon as possible.

Pro tip: If you are a new client, you’re automatically given 20% off on your first translation project. If you have thousands of pages that need translation, this is the best time to maximize the discount.

#2 Preparation of documents for the team

Assuming the client already agreed with the price and the contract was already signed, we prepare the documents and assign them to the approved translators. For fashion translation projects, we import the files to the CAT tool and check any repetitions of words and phrases. This is an efficient way to spot redundancies and help the client save money. Whatever resources that were given to us, we capitalize on them and also check the deadlines for each task. 

Pro tip: If you have magazines and brochures that need to have Chinese versions, you may also avail the DTP – desktop publishing. This is where the documents and layout are localized, including strokes, paginations, fonts, and among others, while still maintaining the exact design and style of the original materials.

#3 Translation process

This is where the real action takes place. Throughout the project cycle, we have constant communication with translators (we also have private group chats and use other project management tools to keep everyone in sync). We also track the time and schedule and create a progress report for the client. We also have back up resources like translators to avoid delays.

Pro tip: You may request for sample translation before the team runs the translation, especially for extensive volume work. We usually recommend translators that have skills and knowledge about your industry (e.g., for medical and healthcare sectors, medical translators work on these high-volume, delicate texts).

#4 Proofreading 

We assign editors and proofreaders to ensure that the translators’ work doesn’t have typos, errors, and misspellings. They check the fluency of the texts and style that matches the client’s requirements. 

Pro tip: You may request for the draft translation as your reference. 

#5 Project Manager QA

The project manager is like a gatekeeper. He or she ensures that all texts before being released will go through a final check and review. He or she will check that the terms are consistent, and the Chinese translation matches what the client requires. He also checks the pagination and layout if needed.

Pro tip: We encourage that you have constant communication with the assign project manager so that both sides (client and LIMPID) can manage expectations regarding the final deliverables.

#6 Delivering 

Lastly, we make sure we address and highlight any possible issues for the client to check. We welcome feedback and also improve whatever is needed our attention based on the client’s feedback. 

Pro tip: The deliverables will include drafts, proofread translations, and the final translation. We submit the updated translation memory and also QA report for the client as references. 

3 Things to Consider When Translating and Localizing Materials

Hopefully, this fashion translation workflow will help your team collaborate efficiently with LIMPID. We also would like to highlight some important factors to consider when you’re translating and localizing materials for the Chinese market.

China remains as one of the largest markets in fashion and luxury goods. So, for your translation and localization strategies, always diversify your channels and content.

#1 The young affluent consumers born in post-’80s and ’90s – these are the drivers of growth when it comes to buying luxury goods. They’re not just after brands, but although that is important, too. But they’re more after the value and also trust the recommendations of their circle of influence.

#2 Combining offline and online retailing – just because China has the biggest number of internet users, it doesn’t mean that everything is a done deal online. When it comes to buying luxury goods and high fashion brands, they still want to buy in-stores. But you can use digital marketing for brand exposure and engagement, but still, don’t rely heavily on your sales from online channels.

#3 Increasing number of Chinese tourists traveling overseas – the outbound tourism is constantly increasing and surely more customers are coming in stores in your home country, so make sure you have a good localization strategy not just your operations in China but also at home.

Let us know where you are right now and if you’re ready to get started.