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.

I'm sorry, I just don't see what is so special about metalic inks. I don't see any difference! The colors are the same, and the clarity hasn't improved. The handling doesn't change due to inks. IMO, it's simply a marketing gimick to charge more money for the same product. I don't doubt that there is metal mixed into the inks before they are printed into the pasteboard, I just don't see any real improvement. I don't see it.