I am suggesting this following thread of thought to jump-start intelligent thought and considered discussion::

After some private discussions I have come to the conclusion that many characteristics including handling of a new deck of cards can be discerned prior to the deck’s release.  This is a large part of many reviews that I have read, but it should be known previously.

If we know the paper (pasteboard) and the finish used on a deck, we should be able to guess many of the deck’s characteristics.  Consider, all decks that are made of Aristocrat stock and Magic finish (assuming the deck is made by USPCC) should handle similar to each other.  The only things that would change the characteristics would be the amounts and types of ink, and the random factor of manufacturing (ie. USPCC lack of overall quality control).

Thickness of the chemical finish is a quality control issue that is an unknown and can change during any print run.  The amount of ink is a design issue and can have a significant affect.  I would hazard to guess that metallic inks are slightly thicker than standard inks.  Climate control during manufacturing should not be an issue.  I believe that temperature and humidity controls standards are the best controlled quality issue at USPCC.  All stock of paper and all inks are easily stored in climate controlled rooms.

There are only a small number of USPCC paper stock types and a small number of USPCC chemical finishes.  Once a producer decides on these factors, only the graphic art (and USPCC) can surprise us.

I welcome intelligent and considered discussion on the above thoughts.

Oh Nathan,
It is very sad if you really believe what you wrote.  USPCC produces only marginally good quality card decks.  USPCC printing errors and cutting errors are incredibly horrible, all the time.  Their prices would be justified if the quality were 3 magnitudes better, but sadly, they are not.  USPCC does use a good variety of paper types, some as good as other large companies, some not.  There are other printing companies that do an excellent job with good quality, good inks, and good paper.
 Cipher Kai,  there is a large mindset bias in many collectors/cardists in and out if the USA.  If your primary target will be the users of these forums, any printer used other than the USPCC will have this bias working against you.  If you are looking at a larger market, don't worry so much about USPCC.  There are other great printers out there.

The big thing that's got me busting a gut laughing is the review section for this deck at T11.  People are writing reviews who don't even have the deck yet!  They're gushing worse than anything T11 ever said about the first Monarchs release.  And they've only seen PHOTOGRAPHS!

But Don, think for a moment.  We know what a card feels like and how it will handle before it is made. (Stock\Finish ...) there are no surprises.  The only difference in USPCC cards made recently is the artistry (or lack there of).  SO if we have acurate pictures of the artwork, why not invent positive reviews before the fact.  Perhaps the reviews could be good enough that free decks would be given to the reviewers??
 

Received my Kickstarter Tendril decks today!!  Can't wait to get them broken-in.  They feel great right outa the box. (I had a feeling they would.)  And the artwork ... great cards as expected.  By the way, pictures on the forums don't do the deck justice.  Super fast delivery and without using an outside fulfillment service.  Thanks again Paul !!!

I know there are more than 326 people in the world that loves cards and should be Liking my Facebook page. So get to it and help reveal Aurum.

http://facebook.com/encarded

There are many of us that don't\won't do Facebook !!

It's only a convention deck!  There are hundreds of conventions every year, many with their own deck.  The deck producers are laughing at you this very minute.

There are also two card collecting clubs in the US.  They are an excellent source of knowledge (and card decks).  52+Joker is now running their annual auction for some fantastic(!!) older and antique decks.

Are there any independant reviewers out there (those that don't receive anything free from producers)?  They are the one that I will listen to.  I will ignore the bought-and-pair-for reviewers

We did tell "He Who Must Not Be Named" that we wanted something different.  What a sense of humor!  Well done.  I am going to break these out for my poker group later this morning.  What fun!  I'm glad that I bought a pair for my collection.  I usually purchase some sort of "whimsy" deck for each display-case.  This will do nicely.

My wife and I collect rocks.  Semi-precious (and some precious only to us) freakin' rocks.  We currently have quite a nice collection of different types of pretty rocks. Heavy, dude.     Sorry for the pun............not really.

   If this project is, indeed, helping designers create decks, this will be exactly what is needed.  More than the financial side of producing a deck (although the financial part is major) designers need someone who knows what is possible using USPCC and how (and when) to make decisions involving the deck production. An ombudsman, if you will.  This will speed through the timeline and reduce initial errors in decision making.
   If The Blue Crown is willing to provide this service to designers, it will be the best thing that has happened to the craft in a very(!) long time.  While Kickstarter is a great service, it does not help the designer with the actual decisions about the card deck. 
   While I detest the sales policies of The Blue Crown, this will be the greatest thing since the Lithograph press.

The sad faces on the court cards suggest they were made in Hong Kong or China proper (not Taiwan).  Other than that I can't tell from that photo.  I have found that it is very difficult to put transparent cards into play.  They tend to make the brain work too much to differentiate the individual cards in a hand.  Penhaps it's true, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks!"