Types of Manuals: From Labels to Service Manuals
Technical manuals vary by volume, target audience, and regulatory requirements. In our practice we distinguish the following categories:
- User Manual — product functionality for end consumers. Volume: 20–200 pages. Language: plain, without complex terminology.
- Operation Manual — for technical personnel. Includes startup, maintenance, and troubleshooting procedures. Volume: 50–500 pages.
- Installation Guide — step-by-step instructions with illustrations. Accuracy of terms and units of measurement is critical.
- Service Manual — for repair specialists. Diagrams, specifications, tolerances. Volume: up to 1,000 pages.
- Quick Start Guide — 2–8 pages, minimal text, maximum illustrations.
Safety Warnings: Zero Tolerance for Errors
Safety warnings are the most critical section of any manual. ANSI Z535.6 and ISO 3864-2 establish a unified system of signal words:
- DANGER — immediate threat to life
- WARNING — potential threat to life or serious injury
- CAUTION — risk of minor to moderate injury
- NOTICE — risk of equipment damage (no health threat)
We have translated manuals for manufacturers of industrial equipment, medical devices, and consumer electronics. Safety warnings are always verified separately — by two independent specialists.
CE Marking and Regulatory Requirements
To sell products on the EU market, the manual must be translated into the language of each country where the product is sold. Directive 2006/42/EC (machinery) requires:
- Original instructions in the manufacturer's language marked "Original Instructions"
- Translations marked "Translation of the Original Instructions"
- A Declaration of Conformity in the language of the country of sale
For manual translation under CE marking, we select translators familiar with the relevant directives: LVD (electrical safety), EMC (electromagnetic compatibility), ATEX (explosion protection).
CAT Tools for Terminology Consistency
A 200-page manual contains 50–100 recurring terms and phrases. Without CAT tools, the same switch may be translated differently across sections. Our stack:
- SDL Trados Studio — primary tool for large projects. Supports all file formats including XML, DITA, FrameMaker.
- memoQ — for multi-translator projects. Built-in QA system checks numbers, units of measurement, and terminology.
- Termbase — terminology database with approved terms. The translator sees the correct variant right in the interface.
For regular clients we maintain a Translation Memory (TM). When a manual is updated (new product version), recurring segments are translated automatically — saving 20–60% of budget. Details on our technical translation page.
DTP Layout: Translation Is Not Just Text
Manuals often feature complex layouts: tables, illustration callouts, multi-column text, warning insets. After translation, text volume changes (Russian text is typically 10–15% longer than English), and the layout must be adapted.
Our designers work in Adobe InDesign, FrameMaker, QuarkXPress, and Microsoft Publisher. DTP layout cost starts from 300 RUB per page. For illustrated manuals, we also translate captions in graphic files (AI, PSD, SVG).
Translating Text on Illustrations
Captions on diagrams, screenshots, and photos are a separate type of work. Options:
- Source files available (AI, PSD) — we replace text directly in the file. The optimal approach.
- Raster images only (JPG, PNG) — we retouch the original text and apply the translation. More expensive and time-consuming.
- Callouts and captions in PDF — we create a new layer with translated text over the original.
Pricing and Timelines
Approximate prices per page (1,800 characters with spaces of translated text):
- Translation from English / German — from 850 RUB
- Translation from Chinese / Japanese / Korean — from 1,600 RUB
- DTP layout — from 300 RUB/page
- Text on illustrations — from 200 RUB/image
- Urgent translation — ×1.5 surcharge
We work under contract, no VAT (simplified tax system). Regular orders receive up to 15% discount. More about specification translation and technical documentation on a dedicated page.
Max