Markforged: How we have grown to be part of their team through flexibility and commitment, supporting their global growth
Based in the US, Markforged is an innovative company in the industrial 3D printing sector that operates globally with exacting technical and communication requirements. Their earlier experience with a large localization company had exposed one shortcoming: the service was impersonal, highly rigid and a far cry from the close and specialized service they needed. Markforged's marketing and localization teams were looking for a language partner that really understood their technology and could integrate with their workflows, delivering an agile, flexible and tailored service with review by 3D printing experts.
In 2021, this led them to LocalizationLab, a team that combines technical insight, linguistic quality and dedicated, hands-on collaborative support. The mission? To ensure that every piece of content, from websites and case studies to technical manuals, echoes the precision and innovation characterizing the Markforged brand across all languages and markets.
Expert 3D printing localization: quality technical content for Markforged's global team
From the outset, LocalizationLab has operated as a seamless extension of Markforged's marketing, R&D and localization teams. We have adopted a close, collaborative approach to ensure content quality and consistency across multiple languages while adapting to their internal workflows, tools and priorities.
We have translated and localized user manuals, technical materials, case studies, newsletters, landing pages and web content with a fully custom process. Our rapid mastery of 3D printing terminology and ability to adapt the message to diverse markets has been key to earning their trust.
Initially, all of our translations were internally reviewed by Markforged's local teams to verify the terminology and corporate voice. However, over time, our proven consistency, reliability and grasp of their style and voice have rendered this review unnecessary, as they have complete trust in the linguistic quality we deliver.
Other key contributions include:
- Flexibility and fast turnaround, handling urgent requests without compromising on quality.
- Technical expertise applied with linguistic precision, particularly in highly specialized documents, which are always reviewed by specialists in 3D printing.
- Clear, direct communication, which has fostered trust and partnership.
- Management of changes and revisions, with a proactive and efficient approach that ensures the consistency and continuous evolution of content.
LocalizationLab, Markforged's strategic language partner in its global expansion
LocalizationLab has served as a key language partner for Markforged. Since 2021, we have worked together on the translation of manuals, technical materials, web content and marketing collateral from English into diverse languages, including French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Swedish, Polish, Romanian and Czech, and more.
LocalizationLab has contributed in a number of key ways:
· Specialized technical experience: Our knowledge of 3D printing and manufacturing terminology has ensured precise, industry-specific translations, which are always reviewed by 3D-printing experts in each language.
· Management of translation memories and glossaries: We have updated and consolidated translation memories from different providers to optimize terminological consistency.
· Multimedia content localization: We have synchronized subtitles in several languages and implemented video graphics, delivering final files ready for use in all countries where Markforged operates.
Steve Zitkovich, Senior Marketing Localization Manager at Markforged, describes LocalizationLab as an extension of his localization team that delivers high-quality translations with professional project management. This partnership has enabled Markforged to reach international markets effectively, ensuring that their message and products are both accessible and understandable to a global audience.
What we do differently with Markforged:
Build a solid foundation for linguistic coherence
We have developed their style guide, glossaries and translation memories, aligning documentation translated by a large language services provider that Markforged had previously worked with, to ensure a consistent and efficient base across all their multilingual content. After populating the translation memories with the initial content, we reviewed and updated them.
Strategic language services partner at the global level
We are their go-to provider for all multilingual content, providing solutions tailored to each market and ensuring effective communication on an international scale.
Unification of tone and terminology across departments
We coordinate with the company's teams – R&D, marketing, sales and others – to ensure that they all use the same terminology, style and level of quality, thereby maintaining brand consistency across all channels and materials.
End-to-end management of the translation and production process
We handle the entire workflow, from translation to final layout, delivering documents ready for use by the end customer without the need for further changes.
Ongoing optimization of linguistic processes
We analyze and implement improvements in their multilingual content management processes, boosting efficiency and quality to reduce costs and production time.
The result: a solid, enduring relationship and glowing recommendations
What started out as a one-time collaboration has evolved into a solid, long-standing relationship. Not only does Markforged rely on us for their localization projects, but they have become one of LocalizationLab’s biggest fans. So much so that they actively recommend us to other partners, contacts, and companies within their network, validating our role as a specialized and trusted language partner.
Testimonials
"Nice work by your teams to have delivered such excellent translations!"
Markforged, Seattle
"Thanks to you and your team for turning this around so quickly, Rosa and Montserrat! What a good way to start a Friday!"
Markforged, Seattle
Delivering early is always impressive :-))
Thank you for this!
Thank you for the answer, Rosa.
I sure like working with you/LocalizationLab! 🙂
🙂
"“A quick note to let you know that the big multilingual projects LocalizationLab consistently quickly turns around — including allowing us to simultaneously ship marketing support to our distribution partners in 5 languages — are being celebrated within Markforged as examples of our maturing as a global company.
Localization Lab is in the background of these highly visible successes within the company, but I recognize your key contributions! Thanks to you both, and to your teams, for being such a great partner and making me successful in my job and Markforged successful in our international business. Plus I enjoy working with you 🙂 "
Steve Zitkovich
Sr. Marketing Localization Manager, Markforged, Boston
