Printable RFID Stickers For Inventory Management and Security
Printable RFID stickers are an effective way to monitor inventory. They’re also beneficial for tracking assets like computer technology, field vehicles, test equipment and more.
Labels are printed using an RFID printer and thermal transfer (TT) labelling technology. This combination has made printing RFID labels a viable choice for many companies.
Smart Labels
Smart labels are printable with embedded microchips that allow them to communicate with readers via radio frequency waves. This technology has applications in healthcare products that require security and data encryption and tracking products throughout their supply chains.
Smart label printing systems are designed to minimise interference and guarantee data integrity, which is critical for maximising read range and reliability. However, selecting the appropriate material is vital; it should protect the microchip without interfering with its functionality or impeding the RFID reader’s capability to read it accurately.
Furthermore, the label material must withstand exposure to moisture, temperature changes and other environmental elements that could compromise its performance. Smart labels can be made from materials like paper or plastic, depending on their intended use.
Smart labels can also be integrated with various RFID systems. For instance, barcodes, image recognition and sensors embedded in the tags enable data exchange between multiple systems.
These can also assist manufacturers in maintaining the quality and freshness of their products, which is especially critical for food items. Labels may include sensors to track time or temperature, data about a product’s origin, and other helpful details that add value for customers.
Consumers are becoming more informed and selective about their purchases, so businesses must provide customers with accurate information. Furthermore, companies must comply with federal regulations and standards by finding new ways to communicate this data to clients.
Printable RFID stickers have become increasingly popular among retailers to protect against counterfeit and grey market trading. At the same time, operations teams gain insight into supply chains that can result in improved processes and more efficient workflows.
Smart labels not only help consumers avoid defective or dangerous products, but they can save businesses millions of dollars through product recalls. It is especially crucial in the food industry, where a lack of traceability could result in costly and unnecessary food waste.
Programmable Labels
Utilising a labelling system that links with your database is another way to help reduce errors and costs. Doing so eliminates the need to manually critical data into templates at print time, decreasing the chance for mistakes and freeing up print users for other value-added work.
Card Printer Ribbons
Card printer ribbons are an integral component of any ID card printer. Not only do they protect the print head from damage and help extend device longevity, but you must purchase a ribbon tailored explicitly for your printer model.
ID printer brands typically manufacture card printer ribbons, so ensure they fit your specific printer model and make. Purchasing a ribbon from another brand could cause issues in the long run and even void your warranty if not used properly.
Thermal printers can also utilise a dye-based printing method similar to laser printers. Dye sublimation printing provides fine detail on cards but may fade when exposed to ultraviolet rays; thus, applying an additional UV-resistant topcoat is recommended for any dye-printed cards.
Monochromatic ribbons are ideal for printing cards that do not require colour elements such as photos. They’re perfect for national ID cards, driving licenses and polling cards that the end user cannot quickly scan to access their information.
Hard Tags
Hard tags are one of the most widely-used printable RFID stickers. They’re used for asset tracking, security and inventory management purposes and can be printed with barcodes, QR codes or abrasion-resistant labels.
These tags are popular among retailers who need to monitor product movements throughout their stores. They’re easy to apply and deactivate, with the potential of sending an alert if tampered with or removed.
Hard tags have their advantages but also some drawbacks. For instance, maintaining them requires much manual labour; hard tags could get lost, damaged or even broken if not stored correctly.
To avoid this from occurring, many stores employ “booster bags.” These are large paper bags lined with multiple layers of foil to block radio waves produced by an RF tag. It is similar to the loss of signal experienced by cell phones in elevators: their electromagnetic (radio) waves are effectively blocked off, limiting their capacity for sending or receiving information.