Entries for what WAN-Ifra calls the "12^th edition" of its International Newspaper Color Quality Club have opened.

Newspapers wishing to enter the worldwide printing quality competition need to do so by December.

Newspapers that maintain rigorous printing standards are eligible for membership, a short list of the world's best-printed colour newspapers. The goal of the competition - held every two years since 1994 - is to improve the quality of reproduction and printing in production, while also increasing competitiveness as well as training and motivating all personnel..

Successful newspapers are awarded membership for a two-year period. Multiple winners and participants in the WAN-Ifra certification project also have the prospect of being awarded membership of the Star Club.


The organisers say participation can be "easily integrated" into a newspaper's normal production operations. A small ad-like test element is incorporated into a page, without requiring special print runs.

Tutorials are available to familiarise participants with the relevant ISO standards and Color Quality Club rules. One will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 29-30, and two more Chennai (July 9) and New Delhi (July 14) in India.