From paper inlays on pharmaceutical cartons to industrial-grade hard tags on metal assets — the right RFID tag is as critical as the reader. We supply and specify tags matched to your substrate, read range, environment, and application.
RFID tags are not interchangeable. Frequency, substrate compatibility, read range, and environmental durability vary significantly — choosing wrong costs you read reliability and deployment ROI.
UHF Gen2 tags are the workhorse of supply chain and warehousing. They can be read in bulk — hundreds of tags per second — from up to 10 metres with a fixed reader, or 3–6 metres handheld. Available as flexible paper inlays for labels or rigid hard tags for reusable assets.
High-frequency and NFC tags operate at close range (up to ~1m), making them ideal for applications that require deliberate, one-at-a-time reads — patient wristbands, pharmaceutical unit-dose labelling, blood bag tracking, and access control. NFC-enabled tags can also interface with standard smartphones.
Standard RFID tags detune severely when mounted on metal surfaces — an on-metal tag includes a ferrite or foam isolation layer that prevents interference and maintains read performance. Available in rigid epoxy, ceramic, and PCB form factors rated for industrial environments including high temperature and pressure washing.
Some applications demand more than a standard tag. Laundry tags survive hundreds of industrial wash cycles. Pharmaceutical-grade inlays meet GS1 serialisation requirements. Windshield tags enable passive vehicle identification at range. Embedded tags are moulded directly into plastic pallets, tote bins, or fabric — surviving years of continuous use.
RFID tags come in more shapes than most people expect. The form factor determines how it attaches, how long it lasts, and what environments it can survive.
Different industries impose different constraints — regulatory compliance, substrate materials, environmental conditions, and read accuracy requirements all influence which tag is right.
Not sure which tag fits your requirements? Use this quick reference — or contact us and we'll spec the right solution for your substrate, environment, and read range needs.
| Tag Type | Read Range | Bulk Read | On Metal | Washable | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UHF Label / Inlay | 3–10m | ✓ | — | — | Carton, pallet, retail item labelling |
| HF / NFC Tag | <1m | — | — | — | Patient ID, pharma unit-dose, access |
| On-Metal Hard Tag | 1–5m | ✓ | ✓ | — | IT assets, tools, machinery, surgical instruments |
| Laundry Tag | 1–3m | ✓ | — | ✓ | Linen, uniforms, garments |
| Windshield Tag | 3–8m | — | — | — | Vehicle access, fleet, car park management |
| Embedded / Moulded | 1–6m | ✓ | — | ✓ | Reusable pallets, totes, containers |
Share your substrate, environment, read range, and volume requirements — we'll recommend the right tag type, inlay, and supplier for your specific application.