Damask Finish

[Don Boyer]

Just FYI, EPCC has a couple of new finishes.

JN Finish:
The new JN Finish. This represents our constant efforts to duplicate the venerable Jerry's Nugget Casino cards from the '70s. Probably we, nor maybe anyone else, can get closer. These are very similar to the Master Finish cards that are so popular but these are crushed .01mm thinner and you can feel it.

Stud Finish:
Our new Stud Finish. Very soft and pliable. We think they are the softest high quality cards on the market today.

Seeing as they both use the same factory in Taiwan, are either of these identical to what Legends Playing Card Company calls their "Emerald Finish"?

In addition to the Taipei plant, Legends uses another plant in mainland China that Expert does not.  The stock/finish combinations used there don't have an analogue at Expert.  I believe Emerald is one of those non-analogous stocks.

[leangyan]

Just FYI, EPCC has a couple of new finishes.

JN Finish:
The new JN Finish. This represents our constant efforts to duplicate the venerable Jerry's Nugget Casino cards from the '70s. Probably we, nor maybe anyone else, can get closer. These are very similar to the Master Finish cards that are so popular but these are crushed .01mm thinner and you can feel it.

Stud Finish:
Our new Stud Finish. Very soft and pliable. We think they are the softest high quality cards on the market today.

Seeing as they both use the same factory in Taiwan, are either of these identical to what Legends Playing Card Company calls their "Emerald Finish"?

In addition to the Taipei plant, Legends uses another plant in mainland China that Expert does not.  The stock/finish combinations used there don't have an analogue at Expert.  I believe Emerald is one of those non-analogous stocks.

In further addition to what Don mentioned, Expert also uses another plant in Mainland China that may or may not be used by Legends

Jackson Robinson's Legal Tender was produced there as an example which will be in the hands of its backers soon.

[zincy7]

Just FYI, EPCC has a couple of new finishes.

JN Finish:
The new JN Finish. This represents our constant efforts to duplicate the venerable Jerry's Nugget Casino cards from the '70s. Probably we, nor maybe anyone else, can get closer. These are very similar to the Master Finish cards that are so popular but these are crushed .01mm thinner and you can feel it.

Stud Finish:
Our new Stud Finish. Very soft and pliable. We think they are the softest high quality cards on the market today.

This just piqued my interest.

are there any decks out there that have these finishes? I bought the red les melies voyager deck back on kickstarter (wish I had bought more than just 1 deck) and I thought the deck was a little weird to break in, but I liked it cuz it gave me a challenge for my fingers.

I'm guessing the new Stud Finish is EPCCs attempt at recreating the (RIP) Studs that used to be put out by Walgreens. I don't know who's decision it was to stop production, cuz those cards were SO GOOD. Those were probably the first decks that I would have called 'broken in right out of the box' before all these new stocks and finishes came out.

Is there a way I could follow any news on this?

[Don Boyer]

In further addition to what Don mentioned, Expert also uses another plant in Mainland China that may or may not be used by Legends

Jackson Robinson's Legal Tender was produced there as an example which will be in the hands of its backers soon.

I've heard from someone who received that deck that the box says "Made in Taipei."

I'm guessing the new Stud Finish is EPCCs attempt at recreating the (RIP) Studs that used to be put out by Walgreens. I don't know who's decision it was to stop production, cuz those cards were SO GOOD. Those were probably the first decks that I would have called 'broken in right out of the box' before all these new stocks and finishes came out.

Is there a way I could follow any news on this?

Walgreens was the company that decided to stop making them because they were the company that commissioned them in the first place - they technically weren't a USPC brand but a Walgreens brand made for them by USPC.  The went with the Play-Right brand in an effort to save money - the stock's about the same as standard Bicycles and there's only one color for jumbo index and one color for standard index, meaning half as many overall varieties to stock.  Terrible idea for people who use poker pairs, but those people are probably going to fork over the extra buck for Bicycles anyway, if not an extra handful of bucks for plastic decks.

[leangyan]

I've heard from someone who received that deck that the box says "Made in Taipei."

That's a mistake. The decks was printed in China. Jackson hasn't responded on any channel about how it happened, but I'm sure he will.

UPDATE: See his latest deck as well. Printed in China by EPCC.

[PrincessTrouble]

I've heard from someone who received that deck that the box says "Made in Taipei."

That's a mistake. The decks was printed in China. Jackson hasn't responded on any channel about how it happened, but I'm sure he will.

Kickstarter Update #13: Today most people in China (where the cards are being produced) are returning from their breaks for the Lunar new year.

Jackson never stated otherwise, so I'm assuming it was printed in China and Taipei on the tuck box is a mistake.  Several have asked for clarification but he has not yet responded.  The cards (stock and finish) definitely feel different than cards from the Taipei factory.

EDIT: Jackson has confirmed they were printed in China.

[EndersGame]

In further addition to what Don mentioned, Expert also uses another plant in Mainland China that may or may not be used by Legends

Jackson Robinson's Legal Tender was produced there as an example which will be in the hands of its backers soon.

Reports are suggesting that the quality of the Legal Tender decks produced by the factory in China is disastrous.  See for example the very negative review and follow-up posts here:
Legal Tender - By Jackson Robinson

Examples of the new JN finish and new Stud finish were produced for the Skull & Bones deck - there's some comments and impressions about them in this thread here:
Skull & Bones - Sample Editions with New Finishes

Was the Legal Tender deck considered to be the new JN finish, the new Stud finish, or neither?

[EndersGame]

I'd like to come back to the original point of this thread, namely some impressions of the Damask finish (EPCC) = Elite finish (LPCC).  I recently received a few decks with the Elite finish from Legends Playing Card Company, so I could have a closer look at this finish, and see how it handles.

I've posted my thoughts in two detailed reviews here, so I'll just link to those articles rather than re-post what I wrote there.  Especially the comparison article may be of interest.

Pictorial Review: Legends PCC - Elite finish decks

Pictorial Review: Legends PCC - Comparing all four finishes

[NineLives]

I'd like to come back to the original point of this thread, namely some impressions of the Damask finish (EPCC) = Elite finish (LPCC).  I recently received a few decks with the Elite finish from Legends Playing Card Company, so I could have a closer look at this finish, and see how it handles.

I've posted my thoughts in two detailed reviews here, so I'll just link to those articles rather than re-post what I wrote there.  Especially the comparison article may be of interest.

Pictorial Review: Legends PCC - Emerald finish decks

Pictorial Review: Legends PCC - Comparing all four finishes

Your pictorial reviews are amazing EndersGame Choosing the finish for a deck of custom cards is like walking into an art supply store and 'waking up' 3 hours later stuck in the pen and paper isles - so many amazing things to choose from! You provide great insights and clear comparisons, which might not cut down on the time spent choosing, but gives invaluable food for thought along the way. Likewise for collectors and players who prefer a particular 'look & feel'

[EndersGame]

Thanks Annette.  Oops, I just realized I had posted a link to the wrong article.  It should have been the one on the Elite finish, not the Emerald finish.  I have just edited my earlier post - this is the correct link:

http://www.playingcardforum.com/index.php?topic=10401

Having said that, the article comparing the four finishes may be the most helpful for people trying to decide what finish to use, as well as this comparison between USPCC and LPCC/EPCC decks.