Image translation for cross-border sellers: one product set, twelve languages
For cross-border sellers the slowest job is often not sourcing but turning Chinese detail images into local languages. Here is a layout-preserving translation workflow and the localisation pitfalls to avoid.
Launching one product across several Shopee markets in Southeast Asia and then on Amazon in Europe and the US, the slowest task is often this: changing every image that contains Chinese text into the local language. Traditionally a designer replaces the text image by image — dozens of images per SKU.
Three hard parts of image translation
- Keeping the layout: translations differ in length — German or Russian can run two to three times longer than Chinese — so font size and line breaks must adapt;
- Type and style: the hierarchy between headline, benefits and specs has to stay intact;
- Background repair: once the original text is removed, the pattern or gradient behind it must be filled naturally.
Localisation is more than translation
| Market | Watch out for |
|---|---|
| Japan | Concise, polite copy; short phrases work best |
| Germany / France | Metric units; avoid exaggerated claims |
| Middle East | Arabic reads right-to-left; conservative styling for people |
| Southeast Asia | Price-sensitive — clear, direct promo information converts |
Claims about efficacy, health or certifications are regulated differently in every country. Have someone who knows local rules review translated copy.
A recommended workflow
- Finalise the Chinese originals and check the text is correct;
- Batch-upload them to Image translation and choose target languages (12 supported);
- Spot-check: keep brand names, model numbers and proper nouns untranslated;
- If the main images need a full redo, choose "country + language" in Product image sets and the system plans a new set for that marketplace.
Keep the text complete
Many tools quietly shorten translations to fit the original text box. We keep translations complete and adjust size and line breaks instead — one missing benefit line is one less reason to buy.
For Amazon image rules see the Amazon image requirements; plans and credits are on the pricing page.
Upload one product photo and get a full set of listing-ready visuals in minutes.
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