German Black Core Paper

Because of the mini decks that I do right now I took a closer look at the different paper stocks from a lot decks which got printed in Asia. In this process, I had the mind blowing realization that the linen structure on the cards look all the same.

In the image you see an MPC card on the left, an WJPC card in the middle and a HCPC card on the right. I already knew that MPC and WJPC are using the same "German Black Core Paper" since they both advertise it like that. At least MPC did it in the past but it looks like they are trying to hide it now.

Yesterday I was looking at the Hamsa Playing Cards printed by Hanson Chien - one of the best decks I have ever handled - and it blow my mind. They all use the same paper. Also decks from Expert Playing Cards and other companies who print in Taiwan. With a few exceptions the paper stock is always the same.

It amazes me even more that I didn't notice it earlier. "300gsm German Black Core Paper" - someting that has been used a lot as selling point at MPC. WJPC also advertise with it.

I live in Germany. That doesn't necessarily matter :D But how many different companies in Germany exist who produce the exact same paper with the exact same linen structure? Somehow I would have heard about it before.

It wasn't complicated to find the German paper company:
https://www.koehlerpaper.com/en/products/FineTech-and-ColorTech-Paper/Produktseiten/Playing-card-board.php 

They produce the paper for 50% of all casino decks in the USA!

Check out this video on YouTube to find out more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lyTGz0h3YI

I even checked out an MPC deck that I've printed in 2014 and it has the exact same paper and linen finish of the cards that get produced this year. The only difference is the varnish / coating, which makes it easier to fan the cards.

The Koehler playing card paper exists since 1934. At least in the last 20-30 years I bet nothing really changed on the actual card stock. It just seems like all playing card companies finally found the best varnishes / coatings in the last 2-3 years.

We always talk about the "finish" and "stock".
USPCC call their two finish options linen and smooth finish. But they only mean the structure of the surface. The terms varnish and coating are therefore often confused with finish. This differentiation is particularly important in this case.

So what is the bottom line?

Some playing card "experts" praise the quality of deck X to the skies and at the same time talk deck Y down. Just because it's from a different company. But now you know they all use the exact same paper. So the perception that a deck is significantly worse is not objective at all. Some people ranting about MPC decks because of the tuck box quality.
Maybe you have already been fooled by it too.

My Cold Foil Black Roses Hotel cards are printed on the same paper as well btw.

And knowing that everyone uses the same paper makes the huge price differences depending on the company even more outrageous...

Let me know what you think. I think it's amazing that all these different companies use the exact same paper from one company in Germany. It's even crazier that I, as a German, print cards in China on German paper. :D

Thanks for reading.

Much love and stay safe

Daniel