RFID Labels

How to Choose an RFID Label

Choosing the right RFID label or sticker depends on the item you need to track or the function that you need the label to perform.

When ordering, please consider the type of label material you need, such as paper or something more water resistant like PET. Will you need printing or numbering on the label? What size label will you need and what read distance do you expect?

From access control and asset tracking to supply chain management and inventory applications, we have a label that will meet your needs. Please contact us for more information and pricing.

Typical Uses for RFID Labels and Stickers

13.56 MHz High Frequency (HF) Labels

Our line of high frequency smart labels are ISO/IEC 14443 or ISO/IEC 15693 and typically used in applications such as access control, small asset tracking, file management, RFID payments, baggage tracking, in the lab or for library book management.

13.56 MHz NFC Labels

NFC technology allows for a secure one-to-one coupling between an NFC label and a device like an NFC enabled smart phone. NFC stickers and labels are useful for contactless payments and also to drive customer engagement applications, such as for promotional labels and posters where a user reads a tag and is directed to a website for more details or to buy tickets.

840-960 MHz Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Labels

UHF RFID tags are usually lower priced than the other labels and used for item-level tracking, retail inventory control and to generate better supply chain efficiencies. UHF tags can also be used in material management as part of an inventory control system and even for race timing applications.

What is an RFID Label?

An RFID label is made of paper or PET with an RFID inlay attached to it. Labels can be printed on the front side and stuck on to boxes, packages, papers, books and other items for asset security, tracking and logistics.

What components make up an RFID label?

An RFID label is composed of an RFID inlay, an antenna, a facesheet, an adhesive backing and a liner. The inlay is the microchip and antenna and the facesheet the part you see. The adhesive is the backing and the liner keeps your labels from sticking before you’re ready to stick them on.

How are RFID labels encoded and read?

RFID labels are programmed by RFID-enabled printers, printer attachments, or RFID encoders. An RFID reader that matches the chip is needed to read and write to the label.

What is a passive RFID label?

A passive RFID label does not have a battery. The label is read with a compatible RFID reader.

What is a UHF label?

Ultra High Frequency (UHF) is the frequency at which the RFID reader reads certain labels. UHF RFID labels can be read from farther distances and transmit data faster than other types of labels.

What does EPC mean?

The Electronic Product Code (EPC) is on the labels and is specific to one object. This method is commonly used to distinguish identical items.

What are the differences between UPC and EPC?

UPC is an acronym for Universal Product Code. UPCs are used for distinguishing categories whereas EPCs track and identify individual objects. EPC is an acronym for Electronic Product Code.

What is the difference between an RFID label and a barcode?

RFID labels can be read through packaging and/or at a distance. Barcodes require line of sight to be read. RFID labels can be encoded with information multiple times, barcodes can only be printed on once. Overall, RFID labels offer more flexibility and specificity for tracking individual items.