Can a small agency use a purchase order to commission a freelance translator?
Yes. A purchase order works for services too: the translator goes in the supplier block, the word count is the quantity, the agreed per-word rate is the unit price, and the deadline is the requested delivery date. Leave shipping empty, use the notes for file format and confidentiality, and the freelancer then invoices against your PO number.
Why a purchase order for a service?
Agree a job in a chat and the details drift. Is the rate per source word or per translated word? Is a revision included? When exactly is it due? A purchase order pins it down on one page with a clear number. The translator quotes that number on their invoice, and you know at once which job you are paying for.
Example: translating a product brochure
A small marketing agency in Jeddah needs a product brochure translated from English into Arabic. Running the text through the Word and character counter gives roughly 8,500 words, and the translator agrees to 0.30 riyals per word. The Purchase-order generator works out 8,500 × 0.30 = 2,550.00, for a total of 2,550.00 SAR with no shipping and no tax.
- Put the agency under 'Your details (buyer)' and the translator's name and email under 'Supplier details'.
- Leave 'Delivery address' empty; the work arrives by email, not at an address.
- Set 'Requested delivery date' to the deadline.
- Description: 'English to Arabic translation of product brochure, including one revision (rate per source word)'.
- Quantity 8500, unit price 0.30. Leave shipping empty.
- If the translator is registered and adds tax, enter the rate their quote states.
What goes in the delivery terms and notes
- Format: 'Word file in the original layout, sent to the email above'.
- Confidentiality: 'The text is confidential and not to be used or shared outside this project'.
- Revisions: 'One round of edits within three days of delivery is included'.
- Invoicing: 'Please quote this PO number on your invoice'.
The tool prints these as written and adds no terms of its own. The purchase order documents what you asked for but does not replace your agreement with the translator, so send it and get their confirmation before work starts.
The final word count may differ
If you pay per word and the count is an estimate, add a note: 'Final amount based on the actual word count of the source file'. When the translator invoices, from their own system or with the Basic invoice generator, the quantity there is the final count, and the purchase order stays the reference for the agreed rate.
Common questions
Does a purchase order need a delivery address?
No, the field is optional. Left empty, delivery is understood to be to your address in the buyer block; you can say in the delivery terms that it is by email.
Can I use a rate like 0.125 per word?
Yes, the unit price takes more than two decimals; only the line total is rounded to the smallest currency unit.