There are a lot of new playing card decks coming out that are sporting metallic colors on the tuck boxes. Of course, the back design is often featured on the tuck box, and it usually looks great with the metallic ink.

However, when you look at the backs of the actual cards, its clear that there is a huge difference between metallic used on the box and that used on the cards, themselves.

I'm curious why this is.

Is it because actual metallic ink would prevent the cards from fanning, etc..., well? Or is it an expense issue - metallic ink on all 52 cards just too expensive. I wouldn't think it would be the latter, as I've seen a beautiful bridge set of Bicycle cards in very shiny metallic ink, and it is not expensive. Now, they don't handle all that well, but the edges are also gilded, and I know that gilt-edged cards don't handle very well.

Would love to know your thoughts.