Workflow for creating multilingual flyers with different branding but the same layout

Question

Okay, due to a rebranding of our company I thought I'd sit down and try to find a structure that works to create out datasheets.

We sell machines, every machine has its own informational datasheet/flyer in three different languages. now since we also have dealers, we offer a version without our branding and some 'special snowflake dealers' managed to get our boss to accept their request to make the flyer with their logo, information and brand colors. In the beginning I created the documents thinking it would only be our branding and then one without which is easily done, but now with two dealer versions which also include a color change of all the block colors I'm a little overwhelmed at what the best possible way to go about it is. Until now I just created new InDesign files and put them all together in the same package so everything is nicely together. But our company is growing quite a bit and there are so many changes happening constantly that I just can't keep up with keeping these packages neat and accessible in case someone needs the whole file. Now we're about to change our company colors, that includes the colors of the machines so I have to redo all the datasheets and I feel like I'm hitting a wall since I'd have to change everything manually. Then repackaging one of the 4 versions and manually put the other InDesign files in there and relink everything? I am not a trained media designer, I did study crossmedia design which is very brought and teaches more about the idea and concept process than the print production. I am sure I'm not doing it the most efficient way. How do you go about creating a) multilanguage files that are basically the same layout (but have slightly different variations in sizes of colored text boxes since some languages require more space) and b) different brandings for the same content? Do you just use a ton of masters and apply them to it? I am a little bit overwhelmed and I need a break but would like to have figured out at least the system I want to continue working in when I come back from the Christmas holidays... Also, I'm happy to provide an existing package as an example if it helps. I probably haven't described it very well. Thanks in advance.

David Popham · Accepted Answer

Oh thats what you mean. Unfortunately, yes... I had it smaller in the beginning then my chef told me it's too small he cant read it. I tried to argue, he was nodding, completely understanding what I was saying.. But: 'I cant read it without glasses, the text needs to be bigger.' End of story. 😕😕

One possibility that would help in the case you illustrated with sidebars and images needing adjustment when sizes change would be to use a combination of Conditional Text, Auto-Size and Anchored Objects. Keep each language in the same text frame but give them different conditions (e.g. English, German, etc), then anchor the image at the end of the story and set it to Unconditional. Set the Auto-Size options of the text frame to adjust for Height Only.

datap6156868 · Answer

Hey there, For you question a):Create a common layer and place all the common objects in that layer then create other 3 layers for 3 different languages with text frames in it. So you will get all the 3 languages in a single file. You can hide the layers (language) which you don't want to print.

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