Quality Check: Expert's China-printing vs Taiwan-printing

[Decknowledgy]

【Quality Check I: Tuck Box】

Since recently folks have been asking about the printing quality of Expert's Chinese (PRC) plant, I thought I'll just use the most basic Expert decks to do the comparisons: The Superior Classic Backs.

Blue printed in China (PRC), purchased on 4 Sep 2019.
Black printed in Taiwan, purchased on 4 Dec 2018.
Both handled almost daily.

This post is a comparison between the build quality between the Chinese printer and Taiwanese printer, mainly on the tuck box. A disclaimer first, I highly suspect that I got a faulty Blue deck, so some quality issues I'd think it's due to this particular deck. Nonetheless, I will show it as it is. I'll post another comment showing the differences of the card quality next, which is also pretty evident after extensive use.





Starting from the tuck paper, the matte on the Taiwanese Black deck is more muted than the Chinese Blue. One major issue right off the bat obvious that the gluing process for the Chinese Blue deck has not gone through proper quality inspection. Not only is the glue seeping through the seams on both sides, the tuck box is glued crooked. This contributes to the uneven surface of the front and back surface, and the tongue flap cannnot shut properly. On the other hand, the Taiwanese Black deck is lined up perfectly, just like what you'd expect from a normal tuck box.

I've posted the same comparison on my Instagram account, and so far there's 2 people who've said they had the same crooked tucks as I've had, so this is a problem.













Besides checking the ad copy at the bottom for the printed location, a notible difference is that the Chinese printer uses rounded glued sides whereas the Taiwanese uses squared sides that hide the seams. Other than these, the two tucks uses the same material: the unique type of plasticky matte paper that will not tear and is waterproof.

Here's a video comparison for more details:



If you've found some subtle differences between the two printing facilities, please share in this thread as well!

[Decknowledgy]

【Quality Check II: Cards】
Superior Brand Classic: China vs. Taiwan
Produced by @conjuringarts
Printed by @expertpcc on Classic Finish

Blue printed in China (PRC), purchased on 4 Sep 2019, handled about 1yr. Black printed in Taiwan, purchased on 4 Dec 2018, handled about 2yrs.

First let me talk about my handling habits. The Superior Brand is one of my favorite daily handling series; I keep at least one of them next to me and fan them subconsciously, meaning that I could fan between 200-400 times per day + faro shuffle + dribbles. My hand is dry and does not sweat, so the cards hardly catches sweat stains.

For every two shots, I specifically compare the ink bleeding of the Blue vs Black deck, particularly the edges and the white faces. Although the Black Taiwan-printed deck is handled significantly longer by me and has some signs of yellowing, the edges no matter in spreads or fans are evidently cleaner and whiter than the Blue China-printed deck. Then in the 6th vs 7th shot, just look at the ink stain comparison on the 2,3,4,5 number cards... All of those ink stains of the Blue deck are bleeds from the back of cards, smeared onto the faces due to fanning and faro pressure. In comparison, the Black deck retains its cleanness.



















One bigger issue is the uneven cut of the Blue deck. Once again, I'm not sure whether my Blue Chinese deck is a faulty deck or many decks have this issue, but my 3 of sticks out like a sore thumb from the rest of the deck. As shown in the video (clearer in my story), the edge of the 3 of is wider and could be felt by touch. Thus, I've taken the card out of the deck for daily handling. I'm pretty sure this could be an issue for magicians and poker players (could easily be felt in shuffles) . Check the video in my Instagram post (don't have enough band-width to upload to YouTube):

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGcp01ZMneY/

What I will say is that Expert's Chinese printer still needs improvement to match their previous print quality. Expert should focus on that instead of marketing the Chinese printer as "the best" quality when even the Jerry's reprints feel underwhelming. Hopefully printing quality of the Chinese plants will be improved if Expert has decided to go with China completely; after all, William has said in the 52+Joker UUSI club deck launch session that the Chinese printers "provide the best quality and options we could ever have."

[montenzi]

What is the reason for buying everyday decks printed in China by a 3rd tier printer when you can use Copag 310 or Rider backs for the same price (and even cheaper)?

[Decknowledgy]

What is the reason for buying everyday decks printed in China by a 3rd tier printer when you can use Copag 310 or Rider backs for the same price (and even cheaper)?

I'd say it's just personal taste haha

I definitely wouldn't say Expert is a 3rd tier printer, but the printers in China are generally lackluster with a few exceptions. It's the Superior design and thin back borders that I like.

USPCC I'd go with Tally-Ho which is another favorite; Bicycle so so and a bit too soft; I like Bee stock but don't have decks for basic use.

Cartamundi-wise, Copag 310s previous thicker True Linen B9 feels great at first but splits at the edges easily and gets bent easily; the later Slim-line B9 improved on the sturdiness, but I hate the fact that some decks get printed with one side flatter than the other, making the deck bow towards the smoother side. I'm fine with the basic Slim-Line Copag, but the design, paper stock, and touch are always a hit-or-miss from time to time, and I get tired of them easily.

I like to change things up from time to time, so my daily-use drawer consists of Expert, Legend, TWPCC (Bomb Magic), Hanson-Chien, Cartamundi Cardistry & B9 stocks, USPCC Bee & Bicycle stocks, at least two different finishes from each printer. About 15 decks interchangeable from time to time.

Touch/handling is VERY important for my daily use.

[montenzi]

I definitely wouldn't say Expert is a 3rd tier printer

Ok

My rating:

1. Cartamundi (for the superb B9 finish and handling)
2. USPCC (I still like USPCC's paper more than the B9 Slimline)
3. WJPCC & that old Taiwanese printer & LPCC (Taiwan)
4. MPC
5. NPCC
6. EPCC (China)

Just a quick note - I have a playing card shop here in NZ, and I will never ever buy EPCC (China) printed decks to sell here. It's my preference. I had some to test handling, and it was a disaster. When a deck handles worse than any cheap Alibaba printed deck, it's not good at all.

[masagin303]

1. Cartamundi (for the superb B9 finish and handling)
2. USPCC (I still like USPCC's paper more than the B9 Slimline)

I had Cartamundi on 1st place when they had the previous thicker B9, now I prefer USPCC before B9 Slimline. Slimline is too slim for my liking. It's quite weird to split the deck in half to do a faro and ending up holding these 2 ridiculously tiny piles in your hands. It just doesn't feel like a deck of cards.

[EndersGame]

This is a great thread - thank you for the detailed comparison and photos.

[rousselle]

Agreed: this is a fantastic thread. Thanks, Decknowledgy, et al!