WAN-IFRA has officially announced the results of the International Color Quality Club (ICQC) 2026–2028, awarding membership to 17 new publications worldwide for excellence in print consistency and colour reproduction. Managed by the World Printers Forum, the 27th edition of the international print-quality contest evaluates participating newspapers and magazines against rigorous global standards.
Since its inception in 1994, the ICQC has served as a benchmark for print excellence. The evaluation process combines objective automated measurements with expert panel assessments. During a full week of testing in May 2026, participating plants printed a specialized test element known as the WAN-IFRA “cuboid.” According to competition organizers, these physical samples undergo strict technical analysis measuring dot gain, grey balance, and colour space.
Beyond instrument readings, a panel of industry and technical experts conducts a General Print Quality assessment. This phase evaluates print consistency, overall visual appearance, and potential defects across submitted editions. Together, these diagnostics provide operators with actionable feedback to refine press processes.
“Qualifying for Color Quality Club shows strong process control and gives advertisers confidence in consistent quality,” said Sarah Lesting, Director of the World Printers Forum.
Prabhu Natrajan, ICQC Project Manager, noted that an increasing number of facilities are successfully meeting these elevated standards, although maintaining ISO newsprint quality continues to present a primary operational challenge for press rooms worldwide.
The newly admitted cohort spans print sites across Europe and Asia:
- ABP Pvt.
- ABP Pvt.
- Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. – The Times of India (Ahmedabad, India)
- Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. – The Times of India (Bengaluru, India)
- Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. – The Times of India (Lucknow, India)
- Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. – The Times of India (Mumbai, India)
- Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. – The Times of India (Sahibabad, India)
- Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. – The Times of India (Manesar, Gurugram, India)
- DELO d.o.o. – Delo (Ljubljana, Slovenia)
- Druck Carinthia GmbH & Co. KG – Kleine Zeitung Kärnten (St. Veit/Glan, Austria)
- Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung – Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (Kassel, Germany)
- Jagran Prakashan Ltd. – Dainik Jagran (Noida, India)
- MHS Print GmbH – Stuttgarter Zeitung (Esslingen, Germany)
- Printing Partners Paal-Beringen – Het Nieuwsblad (Paal-Beringen, Belgium)
- Sakal Media Private Ltd. – Sakal (Kohlapur, India)
- Sakal Media Private Ltd. – Sakal (Pune, India)
Alongside club memberships, WAN-IFRA tracks long-term print consistency through an accumulation model linking Color Quality Club tenure and ISO 12647-3 certification. Each successful ICQC cycle earns a print site one star, while ISO 12647-3 certification contributes two stars. Facilities accumulating five stars enter the Star Club, whereas those reaching ten or more stars achieve Millennium Club status.
Newly recognized winners will receive their certificates at upcoming industry events. South Asian publications are scheduled to collect their awards on September 9, 2026, at the Indian Printers Summit at The Westin in Pune. All remaining successful international publishers will be officially honored on October 5, 2026, at the World Printers Summit in Rotterdam.
