Westmont, IL — U.S. newspapers that rely on MAN Roland presses have received worldwide recognition for their hard work in the 2006-2008 edition of the International Newspaper Color Quality Club. Five of the seven U.S. INCQC winners run MAN Roland equipment. They are part of a worldwide fraternity of only 50 newspapers that achieved membership. Additionally, MAN Roland-equipped U.S. papers captured six of the ten North American regional awards in a new addition to the contest. All of these honors are significant achievements in the newspaper industry. INCQC awards are presented every two years by the Newspaper Association of America and Ifra to 50 of the world’s newspapers judged to have the best color quality. In this latest edition, 181 newspapers from 38 countries participated, subjecting themselves to what is thought to be the industry’s most stringent quality evaluation. New North American and Asian regional segments were initiated this year. “Printing quality color on newsprint takes a dedicated team,” says Vince Lapinski, COO of Web Operations for MAN Roland Inc. “Your crews have to be sharp; your prepress has to be tight; your consumables have to be of the highest quality; and your press has to be flawless. MAN Roland salutes our INCQC members for putting all the right elements together. We’re proud to have played a part in their achievements and look forward to supporting their continued success for years to come.” The five winners for the International Newspaper Color Quality Club were Paddock Publications’ Daily Herald, located in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, IL; the Democrat and Chronicle of Rochester, NY; Journal Register Company’s Times Herald of Norristown, PA; The Journal Star of Peoria, IL; and Missouri’s Springfield News-Leader. The Daily Herald is printed on their MAN Roland REGIOMAN presses, while the rest are produced on MAN Roland GEOMAN presses. The new North American regional contest was judged separately, and is segmented according to circulation. The six winners in the “Circulation Above 100,000” category were led by the Paddock Publications’ Daily Herald of Arlington Heights, IL, and the Democrat and Chronicle of Rochester, NY. The “Circulation of 100,000 or Less” group included the Times Herald, The Journal Star, the Springfield News-Leader, and a second Journal Register Company newspaper — the Daily Local News of West Chester, PA, which is also printed on MAN Roland GEOMAN presses. The judging criteria for the color quality club is extensive and exacting. Each newspaper must submit sample copies from its daily production. It also is required to print two test targets, an editorial image and a digital ad. In a three-stage evaluation process, the test targets are measured against a standard color gamut, the print reproduction quality of the daily newspapers is assessed, and the INCQC test prints are appraised a 14-member international jury. "Prior winners have told me that achieving membership in INCQC is the production equivalent to winning the Pulitzer Prize,” notes Vince Lapinski. “I look forward to personally congratulating this year’s members.” Awards to the ten North American regional members will be presented at NEXPO — April 1-4 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The 50 global winners will be honored at a ceremony during IfraExpo — October 9-12 in Amsterdam.