Start your project informed
Your questions.
Clear answers.
What does translation cost? Which files do we need? How is information kept confidential? Find the key answers here, with direct links to price lists, quality documentation and your personal contact.
From the first inquiry to delivery.
Languages. Service. Quality. Technology.
- Turnaround
- Hours–days
depending on project volume and requirements
- Experience
- 30+ years
localization experience at zappmedia GmbH, since 1993
- Projects
- 90,000+
completed localization projects
- Client testimonials
- 1,047
published feedback from our clients
- Languages
- 80+
for translation, voice recording, subtitling and transcription
- Certification
- ISO 9001
TÜV-audited quality management at zappmedia GmbH, since 2006
01
Inquiries & orders
Turn your inquiry into a clearly defined project.
How do I commission a translation?
Send your source files, target languages and preferred deadline through our inquiry form. After analysis, you receive a non-binding quote with price and delivery time. Order using the attached form or the customer portal; we confirm the order in writing.
What information do you need for a quote?
Source material, source and target languages, intended use and your preferred deadline. Existing glossaries, earlier translations and information about formats or approvals help us define the appropriate scope.
How do I get access to the customer portal?
We set up a free online account for clients on request. You can track projects, exchange files and view quotes, invoices and correspondence.
02
Prices & delivery
Price lists provide guidance; your individual quote sets the binding terms.
How much does translation cost?
Confirmed starting rates are Budget from €0.04, Standard from €0.08 and Premium from €0.12 per word. The minimum order value is €75 per language pair. Text type, subject, volume, file preparation and language pair determine your specific quote.
Where can I find voice-over and other service prices?
Our price overview brings together translation, voice recording and voice-over, plus audiovisual text and script services. Additional information about software-assisted production and technology is available on zappmedia.io.
Are repetitions and previous translations taken into account?
Yes. Editable earlier versions and existing translation memories help identify identical and similar passages. We analyse your documents to determine the repetitions and applicable terms, which are set out in your quote.
How long does a translation take?
Depending on volume, language pair, subject and task, delivery can take hours to days. The specific date is agreed in your quote. For larger projects, we assess whether a coordinated team can work in parallel.
03
Files & transfer
Suitable source files reduce preparation and coordination.
How do I send confidential documents?
Use the existing inquiry form or your protected customer portal account. Transfer is TLS-encrypted. For confidential documents, we recommend these channels rather than ordinary email.
Which file formats can you process?
The existing service covers Word, Excel and PowerPoint, XML, HTML, PO and resource files, plus layout interchange formats such as IDML, MIF, XTG and XLIFF. Source format, technical preparation and the required delivery format are agreed for the project.
Can I send a PDF or scan?
Yes. Non-editable text needs preparation first. Under the existing standard workflow, such material is translated into Word unless another output format has been agreed. The work involved and required output are clarified in your quote.
04
Data security & confidentiality
Personal coordination and defined access are part of the process.
How are our files handled confidentially?
Client files are treated confidentially and made available only to staff involved in the project. Transfer through the inquiry form and customer portal is TLS-encrypted. Our information security management is ISO 27001 compliant.
Can we sign a confidentiality agreement?
Yes. We can agree an individual written confidentiality undertaking on request. Any special requirements for sensitive information are discussed before transfer.
05
Specialist teams & quality
Appropriate expertise and the agreed review scope make the difference.
How do you maintain quality across ongoing translations?
Regular specialist teams, maintained translation memories, project glossaries and systematic query management support consistent results. Our quality management has been ISO 9001 certified since 2006. Scope and review stages are agreed for the project.
What is checked before delivery?
The existing standard workflow includes plausibility and format checks with sample reviews. For publication-ready texts, we recommend additional bilingual revision by a second specialist translator. This is agreed separately.
Who translates our specialist texts?
Qualified translators specialising in the relevant subject work into their native language. We preferably use specialists who live in their native-language country and actively use their subject terminology. Project management coordinates communication and deadlines.
What are the benefits of working with a translation company?
A central project manager brings together specialist translation, terminology, technical preparation and the agreed checks. Multiple languages and contributors are coordinated in one workflow; files and communication for ongoing projects remain traceable in the customer portal.
Are marketing copy and slogans ordinary specialist translations?
Marketing copy may require creative adaptation to its audience and culture. For slogans and taglines, we offer transcreation with variants, explanations and personal advice. We quote for the work based on your brief.
Client references from zappmedia
A selection of our clients and partners.
More about your translation project
Quotes, placing orders and prices
How can I place a translation order?
Please first send an inquiry using the Request a quote link on our website. The inquiry form lets you submit the documents to be translated, your contact details and processing requirements.
We analyse your documents and promptly email a non-binding PDF quote with detailed delivery and pricing information.
The quote includes an order form. Returning the signed form places your translation order. Alternatively, you can order online through the zappmedia customer portal.
We confirm your order in writing by email and begin the translation.
How can I submit documents for translation?
zappmedia offers several ways to transfer documents:
By email to service@zappmedia.de: this is straightforward but is unsuitable for confidential documents; through our website, by clicking Request a quote and uploading documents through the inquiry form: we recommend this for confidential files because transfer is secure and encrypted; through your personal online service pages in the zappmedia customer portal, a secure password-protected area: we offer this particularly to clients who regularly commission translation projects.
What does a translation cost?
The work involved in translation varies according to text type, volume, subject, difficulty, technical preparation and language pair.
We therefore do not have fixed price lists. We calculate an individual, favourable price for each document, taking account of factors such as the most suitable specialist translator, repetitions and file formats.
Detailed information about our translation prices
How are repetitions or overlaps with earlier document versions calculated?
A discount is granted on redundant passages.
The specific redundancy rate and associated discount are determined from the actual source documents.
In general, overlaps with earlier document versions can only be identified in editable text. We distinguish between full redundancies (repetitions or identical passages that can be reused from earlier versions with no changes) and partial redundancies (75–99% matches with passages from earlier versions).
Repetitions and matches with existing translations can be taken into account when pricing a project. Scope, review effort and agreed terms determine the calculation; specific discounts are stated in the quote.
To calculate redundancy rates, earlier versions must be available either as editable files in the source and target languages or as a translation memory.
For ongoing translation projects, zappmedia maintains translation memories and updates them for every subsequent translation.
Read more about using translation software (CAT tools) here...
File formats
In which format should texts for translation be supplied?
In principle, we can process texts in any format.
Editable formats are translated and returned in their original format. This applies to common Microsoft Office formats such as Word, Excel, Publisher and PowerPoint, as well as special formats such as XML, HTML, TYPO3, PO and coded resource files.
Text from DTP applications such as InDesign, FrameMaker and QuarkXPress is translated in the relevant interchange formats, including IDML, MIF, XTG and XLIFF.
Non-editable formats such as PDF, JPG or paper are translated into Microsoft Word unless otherwise specified.
Data security / confidentiality
How secure is data at zappmedia?
zappmedia ensures the confidentiality of client files through secure TLS-encrypted internet connections.
After upload, your files are assigned to your project in OTM and made available for the agreed work. Our quality page explains data transfer, access processes and quality management.
All client data and files are treated confidentially. They are accessible only to staff directly involved in the project.
Strictly confidential data is marked “classified” throughout processing.
We can conclude individual written confidentiality agreements with clients on request.
Quality management
How is consistently high translation quality maintained?
Regular translation teams are assembled for ongoing projects. With sufficient notice, the same staff are used repeatedly for the same documentation line. A translation memory is created and maintained for every project and language pair to ensure consistency across document versions. Project glossaries contain specialist terminology and key concepts. Linguistic questions are resolved quickly and clearly through systematic query management. Our quality management is ISO 9001 certified. Revision by a second specialist translator is agreed according to project requirements. Further information about certifications is available here. Online Translation Manager (OTM) supports project administration, quality assurance and communication.
Is a QA or acceptance check performed before delivery?
Every document undergoes an in-house acceptance check at zappmedia, comprising plausibility and format checks with random samples.
For translations to be published without further adaptation or editing, we recommend additionally commissioning bilingual revision.
Are delivery deadlines met?
zappmedia is known for availability at short notice, efficiency, speed and reliable delivery.
Translation begins immediately after the order is received.
Delivery is always on time, even under very tight deadlines.
To shorten the quoted delivery period, project documents can be divided and processed in parallel by teams led by an experienced project manager.
Are translations carried out by in-house translators?
Translations should always be performed by qualified specialists working only into their native language.
In our experience, even language professionals have perfect command of their native language only in particular specialist fields and when they keep up to date in that field and actively use their language daily in their own country. We therefore work exclusively with qualified translators specialising in particular subjects and preferably living in their native-language country.
Despite sometimes considerable distances and time differences, the necessary discretion and communication flexibility are maintained as in an in-house working relationship. Documents are exchanged with translators through fast, secure, TLS-encrypted channels.
All our specialist translators have modern communication equipment so they can be reached at short notice.
General questions
What are the benefits of commissioning a translation company?
Your project. Your quote.
Send us your source material, target languages and preferred deadline. We clarify the requirements and quote for the services your project needs.