- What Determines Translation Pricing?
- How to Reduce Translation Costs (Without Compromising on Quality)
When outsourcing a translation project, no one wants to pay more than necessary. To stay within budget, it’s worth understanding the key factors that influence the cost of a translation service. By knowing what can raise or reduce the price, you can avoid unnecessary expenses while still getting high-quality results.
What Determines Translation Pricing?
There are four main factors that influence translation rates:
- Type of translation
- Language combination
- Length and complexity of the text
- Turnaround time
Let’s take a closer look at how each of these can impact the final quote.
1. Type of Translation
The basic distinction is between written and spoken (interpreting) translations.
- Standard written translations tend to be more affordable. They don’t require any special certification and usually cover general texts like websites, marketing materials, contracts, or books. These are typically billed per 1,800 characters with spaces (per “standard page”).
- Certified translations (often required for official documents) are more expensive. They must be carried out by a sworn translator and include legal validation. These are usually billed per 1,125 characters with spaces, as regulated in many markets.
Interpretation services, by contrast, often cost more than written translations. This is due to the level of difficulty – the interpreter must translate spoken language in real time, often under pressure. These assignments may also involve travel, specialised equipment, or coordination between multiple linguists.
2. Language Combination
The cost of translation is also influenced by the language pair. Translations from or into widely spoken languages, such as English, Spanish or German, are typically cheaper due to the availability of qualified translators. Meanwhile, rare or less commonly spoken languages can be more costly, as there are fewer specialists available.
3. Text Length and Complexity
In written translation, cost is usually calculated per page, word or character. However, technical, legal or scientific texts can significantly raise the price – not just due to their length, but because they require high precision and subject-matter expertise.
In interpreting, rates are typically charged per hour or per full day. Longer sessions or high-stakes events such as business negotiations or international conferences may be priced at a premium.
4. Urgency and Delivery Time
Urgent translations with short deadlines (such as same-day or overnight delivery) often come at a higher cost. If your timeline is flexible, giving the translator sufficient time can help lower the price.
How to Reduce Translation Costs (Without Compromising on Quality)
Looking to save on translation without cutting corners? Here are a few tips to keep costs under control:
- Clearly define your needs from the beginning. The more precise your brief, the faster the quote and turnaround.
- Choose the right type of translation – not all documents require certification or complex formatting.
- Avoid last-minute requests if possible. Standard delivery times are more affordable.
- Don’t sacrifice quality for the lowest price. Investing a little more in a professional translator can save you from costly mistakes down the line.
At Omero Language Solutions, every project is assessed individually to ensure transparent, fair pricing based on your specific needs. Want a quick quote or have questions about your next translation? Get in touch with our team – we’re happy to help.