Wan-Ifra has signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with Anna University, Chennai, India, to transfer its IGT Printability Tester to the university’s Department of Printing and Packaging Technology at the College of Engineering Guindy (CEG).
The agreement covers the transfer of the equipment and the technical knowledge required to operate it. The agreement also leaves the door open for joint projects, with Wan-Ifra able to use the equipment for future testing when needed.
Investing in the next generation of print professionals
The initiative follows Wan-Ifra’s decision to close its print quality laboratory at the RIND premises in Chennai. The laboratory conducted paper and ink testing, research projects, and workshops related to printing.
The transfer of the IGT Printability Tester provides Anna University with additional resources for hands-on learning, technical research, and industry-oriented training.
The equipment will help students gain practical experience and support further research in printing.
Strengthening industry-academia collaboration
The initiative will strengthen the department’s laboratory facilities and give students more opportunities to carry out print quality testing, according to V Kumaresan, Registrar of Anna University.
“The donation of the IGT Printability Tester is a valuable contribution that will enhance our laboratory capabilities and promote collaborative research and consultancy activities. The collaboration with Wan-Ifra reflects Anna University’s continued commitment to strengthening industry-academia partnerships and advancing practical, industry-oriented education and research,” he said.
M Kanchana, Head of the Department of Printing and Packaging Technology at CEG, said the equipment would give students practical experience in printability testing and support research into improving print quality.
“The printability tester will provide our students with hands-on experience in printability assessment and facilitate research on print quality optimisation and the development of innovative, sustainable printing materials. We look forward to translating this collaboration into meaningful research outcomes aligned with the evolving needs of the printing industry,” she said.
For WAN-IFRA, the agreement builds on an established relationship with the department.
Magdoom Mohamed, managing director, Wan-Ifra South Asia, said: “Wan-Ifra has enjoyed a longstanding collaboration with the Department of Printing and Packaging Technology at Anna University. Most recently, the department contributed to the evaluation and jury process for the International Colour Quality Club 2026–2028 competition.”
“This initiative reinforces our commitment to industry–academia collaboration and nurturing future talent for the printing industry,” he added.
Supporting print quality assessment and research
Printability testing helps evaluate the interaction between paper, ink and printing processes. The equipment can help assess ink performance, paper runnability and other parameters that influence print quality under press conditions.
The IGT High Speed Printing Unit IV simulates the dynamics of a full-scale printing unit, enabling the evaluation of ink performance and paper runnability at press speed.
The IGT AIC 2-5 Printability Tester applies a controlled ink film to paper using a disk, allowing measurements of parameters such as ink mileage, drying rates, color gamut, set-off and print-through.
These capabilities can support the assessment of newsprint and ink against relevant ISO standards, including ISO 12647-3 and ISO 2846-2. This testing helps printers and publishers check paper and ink quality and improve print results.
Aultrin Vijay (aultrin.vijay@wan-ifra.org)
