Participants in the upcoming International Colour Quality Club rounds will make use of a redesigned cuboid test target patch.

Organised by WAN-Ifra’s World Printers Forum, the competition promotes excellence in print quality for newspapers and magazines, aligned with ISO 12647, ISO 2846 and the association’s own standards.

The 2026–2028 series evaluates participants based on the cuboid test patch as well as visual print quality, with both assessed by a panel of experts.

Publishers and printers can register under categories for coldset web-offset newspapers printed on standard newsprint (ISO12647-3); heatset/UV on standard newsprint (category 2) and on GNP/SC/LWC paper (category 3), for custom standard printing, such as on tinted paper (category 4), and for magazines produced with printing process (category 5).

Sarah Lesting, newly-appointed director of WPF, points to “numerous exciting elements” in this year’s edition, including a fresh look at the process and removal of the GSM restriction.

The changes have been developed following direct feedback from publishers and printers, with the new target transitioning from four rows to three, a geometric form that supports faster alignment and measurements.

Registration for the ICQC closes on May 5, with more details available from the website. Participants can also explore highlights from previous editions in the Hall of Fame.