ICQC Enhances Print Quality Evaluation with Updated ‘Cuboid’ Test Patch

The International Color Quality Club (ICQC) has announced significant updates to its core evaluation process, most notably a redesigned “Cuboid” test patch. These changes, implemented to reflect modern printing standards, aim to improve accuracy, efficiency, and overall print quality assessment for newspapers and magazines worldwide.

What is the ICQC?

Established in 1994, the ICQC, organized by the World Printers Forum, is an ISO-aligned competition that promotes print quality according to ISO 12647, ISO 2846, and WAN-IFRA standards [1]. The contest evaluates both a print test element – the “Cuboid” – using colorimetric devices, and the overall visual print quality (GPQ) as judged by print quality experts [1]. Publications earn stars for successful contest participation, leading to recognition in the Star Club (5 Stars) and Millennium Club (10 Stars) [1].

The Redesigned ‘Cuboid’ Test Patch

The most prominent change for the upcoming contest is the overhaul of the “Cuboid” test patch design. According to WAN-IFRA, the new Cuboid focuses on “modern elegance,” featuring a clean geometric layout, contemporary color accents, and clearly defined measurement fields [1]. Key improvements include:

• Simplified Design: The patch is now “super simple and sharp” with straight lines and tidy geometry [1].
• Enhanced Measurement Access: Larger square patches and a reduction from four to three rows provide easier access for spectrophotometer devices, even those with shutter openings as small as 3mm [1].
• Improved Efficiency: A continuous middle row eliminates the need to shift measurement devices between empty spots, streamlining the measurement process and optimizing efforts [1].

Why These Changes Matter

These updates are designed to address the evolving needs of the printing industry. The changes aim to speed up measurement times, allowing printers to fine-tune presses more quickly and efficiently [1]. The improved accessibility and streamlined layout contribute to more accurate and reliable print quality evaluations, helping printers achieve higher standards [1].

ICQC Categories and Evaluation

Publishers and printers can register publications in five categories:

• Coldset offset on newsprint
• Heatset offset or UV-curing offset on newsprint (semicommercial)
• Heatset offset or UV-curing offset on SC or LWC paper (semicommercial)
• Printing under own standard or non-standard conditions (e.g., on tinted paper)
• Magazines printed using sheet-fed offset, heatset offset, gravure, or digital inkjet [2]

Quality is assessed through both technical measurements of the Cuboid test patch, based on ISO 12347-3 standard targets, and a visual evaluation of overall print quality by a jury [2].

Looking Ahead

The ICQC continues to serve as a vital benchmark for print quality in the newspaper and magazine industries. By embracing modern evaluation techniques and prioritizing accuracy and efficiency, the ICQC helps publishers maintain and improve the quality of their publications [4].