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How Do Translation Companies in Beijing Set Their Prices?｜Elite Translation Service Guide
When clients contact a translation company, one of the most common questions is:
“How much does translation cost per page?”
Unlike standardized goods, translation pricing is influenced by multiple factors—ranging from language pairs to subject matter and urgency.
So, how do translation companies in Beijing typically determine their pricing? What should you know before requesting a quote?
Elite Translation explains the most common pricing models and influencing factors.
Common Pricing Models in the Translation Industry
Most translation companies in Beijing (and globally) adopt one or more of the following pricing structures:
1. Per-word or per-character pricing
This is the most common method for written translation.
For Chinese source files, pricing is usually calculated per Chinese character.
For English or other foreign languages, pricing may be based on either source words or target words.
2. Per-page pricing
Often used for standardized documents such as ID cards, academic transcripts, business licenses, and other short-form certificates with fixed layouts.
3. Per-hour or per-day pricing
Applied primarily to interpreting services, such as business escort interpreting, meetings, or simultaneous interpretation. Pricing varies depending on duration, topic complexity, and event format.
4. Project-based or bundled pricing
Used for complex, multi-language or multi-format projects such as localization, software UI translation, product manuals with DTP, etc.
Key Factors That Influence Translation Pricing
Different translation providers may offer different rates, but the most commonly considered pricing factors include:
1. Language pair
Mainstream language pairs (e.g. Chinese-English) are more competitively priced due to translator availability.
Less common combinations (e.g. Chinese–Arabic, English–Czech) tend to be more expensive due to lower supply and higher handling difficulty.
2. Technical complexity
General business or marketing content is typically less costly.
Documents involving legal, financial, medical, technical, or scientific content require domain-specific translators and specialized review, which affects pricing.
3. Urgency and turnaround time
Expedited projects—especially those requiring same-day or overnight delivery—may include rush fees or surcharges for weekend/holiday work.
4. Formatting and layout requirements
If the original documents are in PDF, scanned images, InDesign, PowerPoint, or contain charts, tables, or diagrams, desktop publishing (DTP) or formatting fees may apply.
5. Certified translation and stamps
For official submissions (e.g. immigration, customs, embassies, notarization), clients often need translations with a company seal and official certification statement, which may be included in the quotation as a formal service.
How to Request a Quote Efficiently
To help the translation company provide an accurate quote, it's best to prepare the following information:
Source files or estimated word/character count
Language pair(s) required
Intended use (internal, legal submission, publication, etc.)
Formatting expectations (e.g. editable files, layout recreation)
Desired turnaround time and delivery format
The more transparent the request, the easier it is to offer a fair and tailored pricing solution.
About Elite Translation
Elite Translation is headquartered in Beijing and serves clients across industries including legal, engineering, healthcare, manufacturing, finance, education, and more.
We provide high-quality, customized translation and localization services with a clear focus on accuracy, efficiency, and transparency.
Whether you're a corporate client, institution, or individual, we are committed to offering professional guidance and straightforward pricing—because in translation, price is only the start; quality and trust are the foundation of every lasting partnership.
Need help assessing a specific project? Send us your documents and we'll provide a tailored quote with no obligation.
Elite Translation—your reliable partner in multilingual communication.
