WAN-IFRA Announces International Color Quality Club 2026-2028 Results

Global Print Excellence and New Club Additions

Held in May 2026 by the World Printers Forum, the print-quality contest evaluated newspapers and magazines from across international markets. According to WAN-IFRA, 17 new publications earned admission to the Color Quality Club following a comprehensive testing period that utilized objective measurements alongside expert evaluations.

The competition requires participants to print the standardized WAN-IFRA “Cuboid” test form for one full week. Technical parameters such as dot gain, grey balance, and colour space are measured directly. Simultaneously, a panel of technical and industry experts reviews print consistency, overall visual appearance, and potential defects.

“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, highlighting the direct commercial value of meeting these international benchmarks.

Detailed Breakdown of Newly Honored Publications

The newly inducted members span multiple continents, reflecting diverse operational standards in newspaper production. Publishing houses from India, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, and Belgium earned recognition for their production workflows.

In India, multiple print sites managed by ABP Pvt. Ltd., Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd., Jagran Prakashan Ltd., Sakal Media Private Ltd., and The Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Ltd. secured slots. Notable additions include Anandabazar Patrika and The Telegraph in Kolkata, several editions of The Times of India across Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Mumbai, Sahibabad, and Manesar, along with Dainik Jagran in Noida, Sakal in Kohlapur and Pune, and Prajavani in Hubli-Dharwad.

European publications also earned distinction. DELO d.o.o. secured membership for Delo in Ljubljana, Slovenia, while Druck Carinthia GmbH & Co. KG earned recognition for Kleine Zeitung Kärnten in St. Veit/Glan, Austria. In Germany, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung gained entry for its publication in Kassel, and MHS Print GmbH qualified for the Stuttgarter Zeitung in Esslingen. Belgium’s representation includes Printing Partners Paal-Beringen for Het Nieuwsblad in Paal-Beringen.

Overcoming Industry Hurdles and Technical Challenges

Prabhu Natrajan, ICQC Project Manager, noted that an increasing number of publications successfully meet the competition’s rigorous standards. However, maintaining consistent raw material quality remains an ongoing challenge for producers.

“More publications are meeting the tougher standards, although ISO newsprint quality remains the main challenge,” Natrajan stated regarding the technical hurdles faced by press operators.

Recognition Tiers: Star Club and Millennium Club

Beyond standard membership, WAN-IFRA recognizes long-term adherence to print excellence through higher-tier classifications. Publications that demonstrate sustained quality over multiple cycles by combining Color Quality Club membership with ISO 12647-3 certification earn star distinctions.

Each period of Color Quality Club membership earns one star, while ISO 12647-3 certification contributes two stars. Print sites accumulating five stars over their operational lifetime enter the Star Club. Furthermore, members achieving ten stars or more attain membership in the Millennium Club.

Upcoming Ceremonies and Industry Integration

Official recognition for the newly inducted members will take place at upcoming international gatherings. International winners will receive their certificates at the World Printers Summit 2026 in Rotterdam on October 5. Meanwhile, South Asian publications will collect their certificates at the Indian Printers Summit 2026, scheduled for September 9 at The Westin in Pune.

Organizations seeking to benchmark their production outputs against these global metrics can review criteria directly through the World Printers Forum.