Another language can change the whole label
The English version fits well. Then the next translation arrives and needs two extra lines. Another country needs a different contact address, while one pack must show two languages together.
Preparing artwork for a country or language is often called localization. It includes the translated words and any other changes needed for that version.
For the designer, the question is where to put the extra text. For the operator, it is how to choose the right content and produce the correct files. The reviewer needs to know which version they are checking.
The work becomes easier when the languages stay organized and the team agrees how to handle the differences.
Keep the words with the right product
A content colleague may collect descriptions and translations. A local reviewer may check wording for their country. A specialist may confirm required warnings or product statements.
They need a clear place to prepare and check the text before it goes into Illustrator.
In Paqira, product information and language versions can be kept together in a collection. A collection groups related work, such as labels for a product range. Content can also be imported from CSV or Excel.
A locale identifies a language version. For example, en identifies English and pl identifies Polish. If the team uses locale
codes in an import, agree which codes belong to which content.
Having a place to store translations does not make them approved. Someone familiar with the language still needs to check the words.
Give each person a clear part of the job
The designer should not have to guess whether a translated sentence is final. The operator should not have to choose between two similar spreadsheets without knowing which one is current.
Agree who does what:
- The content colleague supplies and checks the text.
- The local reviewer confirms the language and country-specific details.
- The designer decides how the layout should handle different text lengths.
- The person maintaining the script prepares the rules.
- The operator runs the agreed job and checks the generated files.
In Paqira, a workflow is the saved sequence of production steps. A Design Script contains instructions for creating or updating Illustrator artwork.
Preparing those instructions is a separate task from running a ready workflow. Make sure the person running it knows whom to ask if a version looks wrong.
Test the longest text early
Ask for several translations before treating the layout as finished. If they are not ready, use clearly marked sample text of a realistic length, then repeat the check with the final translations.
Test a long product name, a long ingredients list and a version with two languages on one panel.
Decide:
- Can a text box grow?
- Can the next element move to make room?
- What is the smallest acceptable text size?
- Can a long list continue in another column or page?
- When does a version need a separate layout?
These choices can become rules for repeated artwork. Check the results at the size people will read them.
Avoid solving every problem by making the text smaller. A label that contains all the words still needs to be readable.
Prepare the differences between countries
A language and a country are not always the same thing. Two countries may use the same language but need different addresses, symbols or product statements.
Keep these choices clear in the content and setup. The people responsible for the local version should confirm them.
Rules may decide which languages appear together, whether a badge is shown or which image belongs to a version. They can also control file naming.
For example, a shared label may use the same product name and picture but need a different contact panel in one country. The content colleague supplies the panel text, and the designer checks that the layout works.
Software applies the prepared choices. It does not decide which product statement is allowed in a country.
Follow corrections from the source to the file
Suppose the French description changes after a test run. Update the agreed source and identify which items use that content.
Paqira can show when content, a workflow or its scripts have changed since the previous run. In a normal run across several items, unchanged items can be skipped.
The operator can use this information to follow what needs attention. After generating new artwork, check that the preview shows the corrected text.
Keep the source text and the generated result distinct. A new sentence saved in the content does not mean the previous artwork file has already changed.
This helps the team avoid sending an old preview during a busy round of corrections.
Give reviewers the right version
Ask each reviewer to check the language or market they know. Make it clear which product, size and country the preview is for.
A useful review includes both content and appearance:
- Is the intended language present?
- Are names, weights and contact details correct?
- Are required statements and symbols included?
- Is any text cut off or too small?
- Are there leftover words from another language?
Use workspace roles and collection access to give colleagues the access they need for their part of the work. Keep a named person responsible for accepting the final result.
Start with a few different versions
Choose one product and two or three versions that have real differences. Include a long translation or a different contact panel.
Prepare the content, run the artwork and review the files together. Keep notes about unclear steps and repeated manual fixes. Improve the shared setup before adding the rest of the range.
The team can then reuse the working steps for more products. Designers get time to handle difficult layouts, operators have a clearer routine, and reviewers can focus on the versions they need to check.