IFRA, founded in 1961 as the INCA (International Newspaper Colour Association) when European publishers began to introduce the use of colour in newspapers, was the world's leading association for newspaper and media publishing. Based in Darmstadt, Hessen, Germany, more than 3000 publishing companies and suppliers to the publishing industry were members of IFRA. It changed its name in 1970 to IFRA and merged with the World Association of Newspapers in 2009.
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Founded in 1961 as the "International Newspaper Colour Association" (INCA) as an organisation to aid European publishers in their widening use of colour printing in newspaper production.
"INCA FIEJ Research Association" (IFRA) was established as a separate entity in 1970 to treat the rapidly developing technical side of the publishing industry. IFRA was based on a merger between INCA and the "Fédération Internationale des Editeurs de Journaux" (FIEJ) and the name "IFRA" stood by itself.
On the 1st July 2009, the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) and IFRA merged into a new organisation, the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). The two organisations had been discussing a merger, on and off, for more than five years, and built up several similar products and services and had an increasing overlap in membership.
IFRA was initially meant primarily for European news media but has now become a global organisation. It has a journal known as 'IFRA Magazine'.
IFRA is a newspaper industry body that is centred around printing technology. It organises trade exhibitions, international conferences, seminars and training events, provides consulting services and also brings out various publications.