How to Make RFID Labels
RFID labels are paper or plastic pieces with an inlaid chip that can be read from far away with an RFID interrogator, also known as a reader. RFID (radio-frequency identification) technology has many useful applications for business, especially inventory control. The chips sometimes have their own power sources.
While current technology does not yet allow the RFID chip itself to be created by a user with a printer, custom RFID labels can still be made using labels that contain manufactured RFID chips. You must have a special printer, however, to make RFID labels.
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Instructions
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Design the appearance of the printed labels, ensuring that the information needed -- such as numeric codes, text, or photographs -- is clearly displayed. Machine-readable bar codes can also be included in the design.
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Print the labels using a special RFID printer. Printromix and Zebra are two well-known manufacturers of RFID printers. The printer will simultaneously encode the RFID chip and print the text or bar code information. Hand-held models are available, and the labels produced by the machines are usually 4 to 6 inches in width.
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Apply the labels to the items to be tracked. Automated label applicators are useful for tagging large numbers of retail products.
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Install interrogators, or readers, where they are needed and integrate them with your information-technology system.
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Tips & Warnings
Select a supplier (sometimes called an RFID converter) that can work with you to determine what RFID product will best meet your needs. Smart labels come in many variations with differing capabilities and costs.
If label application is automated, consider choosing an RFID product that can be integrated into the application system for maximum efficiency.
Research the RFID product you have chosen before you make a large purchase. Some smart label systems have problems such as inconsistent RFID readability.
References
- Photo Credit several types of rfid tags image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
