Are you in the retail or fashion industry?
Read on to discover how our team managed a large-scale fashion translation project for a high-end fashion brand — with a smooth workflow, high quality, and fast turnaround.
Project Background: A 100-Page Product Catalog
We received an inquiry from Shanghai Tang, a high-end tailor-made fashion brand.
They needed fashion translation support for a 100-page catalog featuring clothing, accessories, and jewelry.
When we reviewed the catalog, we noticed high repetition in the product descriptions across various lines.
Because we only charge 10% of the standard price for repeated segments, the client was eager to take advantage of this cost-saving structure.
(Other agencies often charge up to 30% for repetitions.)
Seamless Workflow for Chinese Fashion Translation Projects
The client provided a simple glossary, which proved very helpful during the translation process.
We also created a translation memory and terminology base specifically for their project. This allowed us to run QA checks against the glossary to ensure terminological consistency throughout the fashion translation workflow.
Bilingual Layout for Easy Review
The layout was critical to the client. We kept the English and Chinese text in a bilingual format, so they could review both versions side by side.
Before starting, we analyzed the catalog with our CAT tool, which confirmed significant repetition. We sent the word count report to the client, proposing the 10% rate for repetitions.
They were pleased with the substantial discount and appreciated our effort to optimize their fashion translation budget.
Handling Formatting in Chinese Product Catalogs
Although the client had InDesign source files (we saw the metadata in the PDF), they preferred sending the Word version for easier review.
They emphasized formatting, so we took special care to meet their requirements.
Protecting the Source Text
Before translation, we processed the catalog into a bilingual-ready format:
- Converted to bilingual structure.
- Manually hid the English source text throughout the catalog to protect it from accidental changes.
- After translation, the hidden text was automatically replaced with the Chinese translation generated by CAT tools.
This method ensured formatting integrity and a clean bilingual output — a key step in maintaining quality for fashion translation projects.
Translation and QA Check
Once the catalog was processed, we imported it into the CAT tool for translation and proofreading.
After completing both steps, we ran a full-length QA to catch and correct any errors.
Finally, we unhid the source text, reviewed the formatting, and produced a fully bilingual catalog ready for client review.
Professional Chinese Fashion Translator on Board
The client was a returning customer and specifically requested Mr. Eric Chen, their preferred translator.
Although Eric’s schedule meant the project could take up to 14 days, they chose quality over speed.
While our team handled formatting, Eric focused solely on translation.
- For general content, translators typically work at 2,000–3,000 words per day.
- Fashion content, however, requires a mix of translation and transcreation, demanding more time and creativity.
Eric translated at 1,500 words per day, completing the entire catalog in 10 working days.
Results and Client Feedback
The client was delighted with:
- High translation quality
- Earlier delivery than expected
- Affordable overall cost
This fashion translation project demonstrated our ability to combine speed, quality, and cost-efficiency for luxury brands.
Project Summary
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Language pair | English → Simplified Chinese |
| Word count | 26,221 words |
| Repetitions | 10,453 words |
| Translator | 1 (Eric Chen) |
| Lead time | 10 working days |
How About You?
Do you need fashion translation support?
Are you looking for a team that can handle complex catalogs with cost-saving workflows and fast turnaround?
Our AZ-Loc fashion translators and project managers are ready to help you get started.
