WAN-IFRA celebrates the champions of the “International Color Quality Club” 2024-2026

Since 1994, WAN-IFRA hosts a bi-annual print quality competition, allowing newspapers worldwide to demonstrate their colour printing excellence. The 26th edition of the ICQC, held from April to May 2024 by the World Printers Forum (WPF), included rigorous evaluations based on objective measurements using the WAN-IFRA “Cuboid” print test element.

“The International Color Quality Club serves as a crucial benchmark for publications, especially those outsourcing their printing. It underscores their commitment to delivering high-quality products,” said Ingi Rafn Olafsson, Director of the World Printers Forum.

Winners of the International Color Quality Club 2024-2026

Candidates for the International Color Quality Club have been assessed based on a General Print Quality (GPQ) evaluation focusing on submissions’ visual quality. Five expert jurors, consisting of industry professionals and technical experts, evaluated each entry for visual defects. This evaluation ensured that submissions met the highest standards of visual excellence, offering valuable feedback and setting international benchmarks for the industry.

WAN-IFRA acknowledges the significant efforts involved in achieving consistent print quality. This edition of the ICQC celebrates 39 new titles that have earned membership. For a complete list of ICQC 2024-2026 members, visit ICQC 2026 Members.

Prabhu Natrajan, ICQC Project Manager, stated, “The percentage of qualifying members is increasing year over year, alongside more stringent norms.”

ICQC members, Star and Millennium Clubs laureates will be celebrated in Vienna and Hyderabad

The prestigious Star Club and Millennium Clubs recognise its members’ continued dedication and achievement in maintaining top-tier print quality. This year’s ICQC highlights notable additions to both Clubs, celebrating long-term excellence in print quality.

ABP Pvt Ltd, with its publication The Telegraph from Kolkata, India, joins the Millennium Club. This elite group acknowledges publications with ten or more stars for colour quality membership or ISO 12647-3 certification.

Expanding its roster, the Star Club welcomes three new Indian members: Bennett Coleman & Co Ltd with The Times of India from Pune; Sakal Media Pvt Ltd with Sakal from Pune; The Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Co Ltd with Mathrubhumi Daily from Kochi.

New ICQC members will be honoured at the World Printers Summit 2024 on 8 October 2024, at 17:30 CET in Vienna, Austria. New members will receive their certificates, and Star Club and Millennium Club members will be celebrated at the event. Additionally, companies from South and East Asia will receive their certificates at the WAN-IFRA India annual conference, the Indian Printers Summit 2024, on 23 September 2024, in Hyderabad, India.

Contact and Inquiries

For further inquiries, please contact:

Ingi Rafn Olafsson
Director World Printers Forum, WAN-IFRA.
ingi.olafsson@wan-ifra.org

Prabhu Natrajan
Research Engineer, ICQC Project Manager, WAN-IFRA.
prabhu.n@wan-ifra.org

For more information about the International Color Quality Club, the Star Club, please visit cqc.wan-ifra.org.

ABOUT THE WORLD PRINTERS FORUM. TThe World Printers Forum is WAN-IFRA’s central hub for the international news media print community. Its members include printing houses, materials suppliers, and equipment manufacturers involved in the entire print production value chain, from prepress and printing to product finishing and delivery. The forum addresses all print-related questions and is open to all WAN-IFRA members interested in the future of the newspaper printing business and related areas. For more information, visit wan-ifra.org/wpf.

The post WAN-IFRA celebrates the champions of the “International Color Quality Club” 2024-2026 appeared first on WAN-IFRA.