Cakedesk

Simple invoicing software for translators

Create professional invoices and proposals for translation, localization, editing and international projects. Bill flexibly, work offline and buy once.

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Cakedesk

How to structure your translator invoice

Break down the agreed services into clear line items so your client can immediately see how the fee is calculated. For example:

Line itemAmount
Website localizationStates the language pair, source volume and agreed per-word rate directly on the invoice.3,200 words, German–English, at €0.16 each€512.00
Terminology & project managementShows coordination and quality assurance as a distinct part of the project that you can bill as a flat fee, for example.Glossary alignment, queries and quality assurance€95.00
Editing & final reviewSeparates the additional review clearly from the translation itself.2 hours at €72 each€144.00
Total (net)€751.00

Bill translation services flexibly and transparently

By word, standard line, page or hour

Use the billing unit that fits the assignment. Quantities, unit prices and line items remain easy to understand on the invoice.

Show minimum fees clearly

Even short texts often involve questions and administrative work. Show your minimum fee as its own clearly described line item.

Multilingual invoices for international clients

Cakedesk supports invoices and proposals in many languages. Fixed invoice labels are translated for you, and numbers are formatted correctly.

Proposals for larger projects

Create persuasive proposals that clearly describe the scope, language pair, review rounds and additional services. Once accepted, simply convert them into an invoice.

No subscription and no cloud lock-in

With Cakedesk, you stay in control of your client and project data because it is stored locally on your Mac or Windows PC. If you choose the full version, you pay once instead of every month.

Focus on your translations. Not the bookkeeping.

With Cakedesk, invoicing is quick: select the client, add your services and export a professional PDF.

Professional invoice designs

Choose from professional templates and customize the logo, colors and fonts to match your brand.

Send directly by email

Send invoices directly from Cakedesk and attach delivery files or supporting documents.

Save services in your catalog

Save common services such as translation, editing or project management and add them again in seconds.

QR codes for easy payments

Add a payment QR code to invoices and make bank transfers easier for your clients.

E-invoices for business clients

Create standards-compliant XRechnung and ZUGFeRD invoices directly in Cakedesk when needed.

Duplicate recurring invoices

Duplicate invoices for retainers and regular clients; invoice and service dates update automatically.

For small businesses: Easily create invoices without VAT and include the appropriate small-business tax note. Learn more (in German).

Invoice examples for common translation projects

These eight example invoices show how you can bill different translation services clearly with Cakedesk.

  • Website localization
    €607.00

    Website localization

    3,200 German–English words with a separate flat fee for terminology and project management.

    View example invoice
  • Contract translation
    €427.50

    Contract translation

    135 standard lines of contract translation plus 1.5 hours for terminology and final review.

    View example invoice
  • Technical translation
    €881.00

    Technical translation

    An 18-page operating manual with tables and safety notices, plus a separate terminology review.

    View example invoice
  • Editing and proofreading
    €507.00

    Editing and proofreading

    6.5 hours for stylistic editing and proofreading of an English white paper.

    View example invoice
  • Minimum fee
    €85.00

    Minimum fee

    A short German–English translation shown as a transparent flat fee including the minimum charge.

    View example invoice
  • Multilingual campaign
    €1,380.00

    Multilingual campaign

    English campaign localization, coordination of French and Spanish translations, and a multilingual glossary.

    View example invoice
  • International client
    $1,520.00

    International client

    Localization of twelve product pages for the US market with a separate final review, billed in US dollars.

    View example invoice
  • Monthly retainer
    €1,684.00

    Monthly retainer

    A monthly allowance for ongoing translations plus three additional billed hours.

    View example invoice

Is Cakedesk right for you as a translator?

Cakedesk is right for you if you want a simple way to handle proposals and invoices while continuing to use your preferred specialist translation tools.

Cakedesk is a good fit if you …

  • want to bill translation, localization and editing flexibly.
  • want to create professional proposals and invoices in your client’s language.
  • want to export e-invoices as XRechnung or ZUGFeRD.
  • prefer an offline app with local data storage and no subscription.

Cakedesk is not designed for …

  • translation memories, terminology databases or automatic file analysis.
  • assigning jobs and deadlines to translation teams.
  • full financial accounting with payroll or inventory management.
  • a web-based team solution with mobile access.

Invoicing FAQs for translators

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Ready to simplify your invoicing?

Try Cakedesk for free and create your first invoice for a translation project.

Learn more about Cakedesk