Types of RFID Tags: RFID Frequency and Power Source Comparison

Radio frequency identification, or RFID, is a smart label technology that uses radio waves to identify, track, and communicate information from a tag to a reader. RFID tags can be used on products, cartons, pallets, equipment, packaging, wristbands, cards, and other items that need to be identified or tracked.

The main types of RFID tags are usually grouped in two ways: by frequency and by power source. Frequency affects read range, speed, performance, and application fit. Power source affects how the tag communicates, how far it can be read, and what kinds of use cases it can support.

In this guide, we’ll compare the main types of RFID tags by frequency, read range, power source, and use case so you can better understand which RFID label or smart label solution may fit your application.

What Are RFID Tags and How Do They Work?

RFID tags are small identifiers that use radio waves to store and communicate information. An RFID tag typically includes a microchip and an antenna. The chip stores data, while the antenna helps transmit that data to an RFID reader.

At a basic level, an RFID system works when a reader sends out a radio signal. When an RFID tag comes within range, the tag responds by sending information back to the reader. Depending on the application, that information may identify a product, carton, pallet, asset, wristband, card, or piece of equipment.

RFID tags are often compared to barcodes because both can be used to identify products and retrieve information quickly. The main difference is that RFID tags do not require a direct line of sight to be read. A barcode usually needs to be visible to a scanner, while an RFID tag can often be read wirelessly when it is within range of the reader.

This makes RFID useful for applications where speed, automation, and visibility matter. Instead of scanning items one at a time, some RFID systems can read many tags at once, helping teams track inventory, verify shipments, monitor assets, or improve supply chain visibility.

RFID tags can be used in many different formats, including labels, inlays, cards, wristbands, stickers, asset tags, and packaging components. The right format depends on what needs to be tagged, how far away it needs to be read, what environment it will be used in, and what information needs to be captured.

For product and packaging applications, RFID tags are often built into RFID labels, smart labels, or NFC-enabled labels. These labels can combine printed branding, product information, variable data, and RFID functionality in one label construction.

RFID is not one single tag type. Different RFID tags are designed for different frequencies, read ranges, environments, materials, and use cases. That is why choosing the right RFID tag starts with understanding how the tag will be used and what the system needs to accomplish.

RFID Tag Types Comparison Chart

RFID tags are commonly compared by frequency, read range, power source, and application. Each RFID tag type is designed for different environments and use cases, so the best option depends on what you need to track, how far away the tag needs to be read, and how the tag will be used.

This comparison chart is a starting point. Actual RFID performance can vary based on the tag design, reader setup, antenna placement, item material, environment, orientation, and application requirements. For example, a tag used on a metal container may need a different construction than a tag used on a paper carton, product label, wristband, or retail package.

After frequency, the next major difference between RFID tag types is power source. RFID tags may be passive, active, or semi-passive, and that choice can affect read range, cost, durability, and tracking capabilities.

RFID Frequency Types: LF, HF, NFC, and UHF Tags

One of the most common ways to compare RFID tag types is by frequency. RFID frequency affects how far a tag can be read, how quickly data can be transferred, how well the tag performs around certain materials, and which applications it is best suited for.

The four main RFID frequency categories are low-frequency RFID, high-frequency RFID, NFC, and ultra-high-frequency RFID. Each type has different strengths, limitations, and use cases.

Low-Frequency RFID Tags: LF RFID

Low-frequency RFID tags operate between 30 KHz and 300 KHz. LF RFID tags typically have shorter read ranges and slower read rates than higher-frequency RFID tags, but they can be useful in environments where metal, liquid, or other materials may interfere with performance.

Because of their longer wavelength, LF RFID tags are often used for short-range identification and applications where reliability near challenging materials matters more than long read distance or high-speed bulk scanning.

Low-frequency RFID tags may be used for:

• access control
• animal identification
• automotive applications
• beer keg tracking
• metal-adjacent assets
• short-range identification needs

LF RFID is usually not the first choice for high-volume supply chain or retail inventory programs, but it can be a strong fit when the application requires dependable short-range reads in a challenging environment.

High-Frequency RFID Tags: HF RFID

High-frequency RFID tags operate between 3 MHz and 30 MHz. HF RFID tags generally offer a longer read range than LF tags and may support more memory, depending on the tag and application.

HF RFID is commonly used when the application requires controlled reads, moderate range, and reliable data transfer. It is often associated with smart cards, wristbands, ticketing, library media, and similar applications where the tag is read at a closer distance.

High-frequency RFID tags may be used for:

• library media tracking
• smart cards
• event ticketing
• wristbands
• access credentials
• controlled item identification

HF RFID can be a good fit when the tag does not need to be read from a long distance and when the application benefits from more controlled, close-range interaction.

NFC Tags: A Type of HF RFID

NFC, or near field communication, is a specific type of high-frequency RFID that operates at 13.56 MHz. All NFC tags are HF RFID tags, but not all HF RFID tags are NFC tags.

The main difference is how NFC is used. NFC tags typically require very close proximity between the tag and reader, often just a few centimeters. Unlike UHF RFID, which can be used to scan many tags at once, NFC is usually used for one-to-one interactions.

NFC tags are especially useful when smartphone interaction is part of the experience. Many smartphones can read NFC tags, making them useful for customer engagement, product education, smart packaging, authentication experiences, and promotional campaigns.

NFC tags may be used for:

• smart packaging
• customer engagement
• promotional labels
• product education
• authentication experiences
• contactless interactions
• mobile-enabled label experiences

NFC is not usually the right choice for bulk inventory reads or long-range tracking. It is better suited for close-range interactions where a person intentionally taps or scans a tag with a smartphone or NFC reader.

Ultra-High-Frequency RFID Tags: UHF RFID

Ultra-high-frequency RFID tags operate between 300 MHz and 3 GHz. UHF RFID tags are commonly used for supply chain, logistics, retail inventory, pallet tracking, carton tracking, and item-level product identification.

UHF RFID is often considered a strong fit for supply chain visibility because it can support longer read ranges and faster bulk reads than LF or HF RFID. Depending on the system design, UHF RFID can help teams identify many tagged items at once without scanning each item individually.

Ultra-high-frequency RFID tags may be used for:

• retail inventory control
• item-level product tracking
• pallet tracking
• carton and case tracking
• warehouse operations
• shipment verification
• supply chain visibility
• logistics and distribution

UHF RFID can be a strong option when an organization needs to improve inventory accuracy, reduce manual scanning, verify shipments, or track products across a larger supply chain. However, the right tag design, reader setup, label placement, and testing process are important for reliable performance.

NFC vs. RFID Tags: What Is the Difference?

NFC and RFID are closely related, but they are not the same thing. RFID is the broader technology category. NFC, or near field communication, is a specific type of high-frequency RFID that operates at 13.56 MHz.

In other words, all NFC tags are RFID tags, but not all RFID tags are NFC tags. The difference matters because NFC and other RFID tag types are usually used for different applications.

NFC tags are designed for very close-range, one-to-one interactions. A person typically taps or holds a smartphone or NFC reader near the tag to trigger an action. That action might open a product page, verify authenticity, launch instructions, provide ingredient information, or connect the customer to a promotional experience.

Other RFID systems, especially UHF RFID systems, are often designed for operational tracking. Instead of requiring a one-to-one tap, UHF RFID can support longer read ranges and may allow many tagged items to be read at once. This makes UHF RFID useful for inventory control, pallet tracking, carton tracking, product identification, and supply chain visibility.

NFC is often the better choice when the goal is to connect an individual person with an individual product or package. For example, a brand may use NFC-enabled smart labels to let customers access product information, verify authenticity, join a loyalty experience, or view promotional content from a smartphone.

RFID is often the better choice when the goal is operational visibility. For example, a company may use UHF RFID tags to track products through distribution, verify shipments, improve inventory accuracy, or scan many products without handling each item individually.

The right choice depends on the application. If your label needs to create a close-range consumer interaction, NFC may be the better fit. If your program needs longer-range tracking, bulk scanning, or supply chain visibility, another RFID tag type may be more appropriate.

Active vs. Passive RFID Tags: Power Source and Range Comparison

RFID tags can also be grouped by power source. Some RFID tags have no battery and are powered by the reader signal. Others include a battery that helps the tag communicate over longer distances or support more demanding tracking applications.

The three main RFID tag types by power source are passive RFID tags, active RFID tags, and semi-passive or battery-assisted passive RFID tags. The right choice depends on read range, cost, item value, environment, and how the RFID system needs to collect data.

Passive RFID Tags

Passive RFID tags do not have an internal battery. Instead, they remain inactive until they receive energy from an RFID reader signal. The reader signal powers the tag long enough for it to send information back to the system.

Because passive RFID tags do not include a battery, they are often smaller, lighter, and more cost-effective than active RFID tags. This makes them a common choice for product labels, pallet labels, carton labels, retail inventory, supply chain tracking, and other high-volume applications.

Passive RFID tags are often used in UHF RFID and NFC applications. A passive UHF RFID tag may be used for inventory or product tracking, while a passive NFC tag may be used for smartphone-enabled customer engagement or smart packaging.

Passive RFID tags may be the right fit when the application needs:

• product-level identification
• item-level tracking
• carton or pallet tracking
• retail inventory control
• smart labels or RFID labels
• high-volume tagging
• a lower-cost RFID tag option

Active RFID Tags

Active RFID tags include a battery that allows the tag to transmit signals. Because they have their own power source, active RFID tags can often support longer read ranges than passive tags.

Active RFID tags are usually used for higher-value assets or applications where longer-range location tracking is more important than tag cost. They may be used to monitor equipment, vehicles, containers, tools, or other assets that need to be located or tracked over a larger area.

Because active RFID tags include a battery and more complex components, they are typically more expensive than passive RFID tags. For that reason, they are usually not the first choice for high-volume product labels or item-level retail inventory programs.

Active RFID tags may be the right fit when the application needs:

• longer read ranges
• location tracking
• high-value asset tracking
• equipment monitoring
• vehicle or container tracking
• larger-area visibility
• a tag that can transmit using its own power source

Semi-Passive and Battery-Assisted Passive RFID Tags

Semi-passive RFID tags, also called battery-assisted passive RFID tags, include a battery but do not transmit continuously like active RFID tags. Instead, the battery helps power the tag when a reader signal is received.

This can help improve read performance in certain applications, especially when the RFID system needs additional support beyond a standard passive tag. Semi-passive tags may be used in specialty tracking programs, challenging environments, or applications where a battery-assisted response is useful.

The terminology can vary by RFID provider, so it is important to confirm whether a tag is active, passive, semi-passive, or battery-assisted passive before choosing a solution. The tag’s power source affects read range, cost, size, maintenance needs, and application fit.

Semi-passive or battery-assisted passive RFID tags may be the right fit when the application needs:

• more read support than a standard passive tag
• battery-assisted performance
• specialty asset or product tracking
• improved reliability in certain environments
• a balance between passive and active RFID capabilities

For most product label, pallet label, and smart label applications, passive RFID tags are often the most practical starting point. Active and semi-passive RFID tags are more commonly considered when the application requires longer range, battery support, or more specialized tracking performance.

RFID Labels, Smart Labels, and RFID Inlays

RFID tags can appear in several different formats, including cards, wristbands, hard tags, asset tags, and labels. For product and packaging applications, RFID is often built into an RFID label or smart label.

An RFID label typically combines a printed label construction with an RFID inlay. The inlay is the part of the label that contains the RFID chip and antenna. The chip stores information, while the antenna helps the tag communicate with an RFID reader.

In many applications, the RFID inlay is built into a pressure-sensitive label. That label may also include printed branding, product information, barcodes, QR codes, serialized data, regulatory information, or other variable details needed for the application.

RFID labels and smart labels can be used for:

• product identification
• retail inventory tracking
• carton and pallet tracking
• supply chain visibility
• shipment verification
• asset tracking
• smart packaging
• customer engagement
• authentication and anti-counterfeiting support
• serialized or variable data label programs

The right RFID label construction depends on more than the tag type. The label material, adhesive, inlay placement, print method, package shape, application surface, reader setup, and use environment can all affect performance.

For example, an RFID label applied to a paper carton may have different requirements than a label applied to a curved bottle, a metal container, a refrigerated product, a reusable asset, or a pallet moving through a distribution center. The tag must be designed and placed so it can be read reliably in the real application environment.

RFID inlay selection is also important. Different inlays are designed for different frequency ranges, read distances, item materials, and performance requirements. Choosing the wrong inlay can lead to poor read performance, inconsistent scans, or a label that does not support the intended use case.

Smart labels can also combine RFID with other technologies. A product label might include a UHF RFID inlay for supply chain tracking, a barcode for backup scanning, and printed variable data for human-readable identification. In other cases, a brand may use NFC-enabled smart labels to connect customers to digital content, product education, loyalty experiences, or authentication tools.

Because RFID labels combine physical label construction with digital identification technology, they should be planned as part of the full packaging and tracking system. A successful RFID label program starts with understanding the product, package, environment, reader infrastructure, data requirements, and business goal behind the tag.

Common RFID Tag Applications

RFID tags can support a wide range of tracking, identification, inventory, and customer engagement applications. The best RFID tag type depends on what needs to be tagged, how the tag will be read, where the item will be used, and what information the system needs to capture.

Some RFID applications focus on operational visibility, such as inventory control, shipment verification, and asset tracking. Others focus on customer-facing experiences, such as smart packaging, product education, authentication, or promotional engagement.

Retail Inventory Control

RFID tags are often used in retail inventory programs to help identify products more quickly and accurately. Instead of scanning one barcode at a time, RFID can help teams read many tagged items within range, depending on the tag type, reader setup, and store environment.

Retail RFID programs may support:

• item-level product tracking
• inventory accuracy
• cycle counting
• shipment receiving
• loss prevention support
• omnichannel fulfillment
• faster product location and replenishment

Supply Chain and Logistics

RFID tags can help improve visibility as products move through manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, and retail environments. UHF RFID tags are commonly used for these applications because they can support longer read ranges and bulk scanning.

In supply chain and logistics programs, RFID tags may be applied to products, cartons, cases, pallets, reusable containers, or other tracked items. This can help organizations verify shipments, improve receiving processes, reduce manual scanning, and better understand where products are in the supply chain.

Product and Item-Level Tracking

RFID tags can be used to identify individual products or units. This is useful when a company needs more visibility than a traditional barcode or when items need to be tracked through multiple points in a process.

Item-level RFID may be used for:

• retail products
• apparel and accessories
• consumer packaged goods
• electronics
• pharmaceutical or healthcare products
• high-value goods
• serialized products

Pallet, Carton, and Case Tracking

RFID tags can also be used above the item level to identify cartons, cases, pallets, totes, and other shipping units. This can be useful when the goal is to verify groups of products, improve shipment accuracy, or speed up warehouse workflows.

Pallet and carton tracking programs should consider tag placement, material, read angle, reader location, and the surrounding environment. These details can affect how reliably tags are read as products move through dock doors, conveyor lines, warehouses, or distribution centers.

Asset and Equipment Tracking

RFID tags are often used to track assets that need to be located, identified, or monitored over time. Depending on the value of the asset and the required read range, these programs may use passive, active, or battery-assisted RFID tags.

Asset tracking applications may include:

• tools and equipment
• vehicles
• returnable containers
• medical equipment
• industrial assets
• IT equipment
• high-value inventory

Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, and Regulated Products

RFID tags can support healthcare and pharmaceutical tracking programs where identification, traceability, and inventory visibility are important. RFID may be used to track products, supplies, equipment, samples, or other regulated items depending on the application.

For these use cases, the RFID label construction should be evaluated carefully. Materials, adhesives, sterilization requirements, cold-chain conditions, regulatory information, and data requirements may all affect the best RFID tag type.

Smart Packaging and Customer Engagement

RFID and NFC tags can also support customer-facing smart packaging experiences. NFC tags are especially useful for this type of application because many smartphones can read NFC tags at close range.

Brands may use NFC-enabled smart labels to connect customers with:

• product education
• usage instructions
• promotional content
• loyalty programs
• authentication experiences
• brand storytelling
• reorder pages or digital product support

Authentication and Anti-Counterfeiting Support

RFID tags can also be part of an authentication or anti-counterfeiting strategy. Depending on the product and system design, RFID or NFC tags may help verify that a product, package, or asset is connected to a legitimate digital record.

Authentication applications often require more than the tag itself. The full solution may include secure data management, serialization, tamper-evident label construction, controlled access, and a verification experience for internal teams, channel partners, or customers.

Because RFID tags can be used in so many ways, the right starting point is the application. Once the use case is clear, it becomes easier to choose the right RFID frequency, power source, label construction, inlay, reader setup, and data workflow.

How to Choose the Right RFID Tag Type for Your Application

Choosing the right RFID tag type starts with the application. Frequency, read range, power source, label construction, item material, reader setup, and data requirements all affect which RFID tag will perform best.

Before choosing an RFID tag, it helps to answer a few key questions about how the tag will be used.

What read range do you need?

Read range is one of the first factors to consider. Some RFID applications only need close-range reads, while others need to identify items from several feet away or across a larger area.

NFC tags are typically used for very close-range interactions, such as a customer tapping a smartphone against a smart label. LF and HF RFID tags are often used for shorter or more controlled reads. UHF RFID tags are commonly used when longer read ranges, faster reads, or bulk scanning are needed.

Active RFID tags may support longer-range asset tracking because they include a battery, but they are usually used for higher-value assets rather than high-volume product labels.

Will the tag be used near metal, liquid, heat, or moisture?

The environment can have a major impact on RFID performance. Metal, liquid, moisture, cold, heat, abrasion, packaging shape, and application surface can all affect how reliably a tag can be read.

For example, an RFID label used on a refrigerated beverage container may need a different construction than a label used on a paper carton, metal asset, healthcare product, pallet, or reusable container. In some cases, a specialized tag or label construction may be needed to improve performance around difficult materials or environments.

This is why RFID tag selection should include real-world testing whenever possible. A tag that works well in one application may not perform the same way when the item material, label placement, reader angle, or environment changes.

Do you need to scan one tag or many tags at once?

Some RFID applications are designed for one-to-one interactions. Others are designed to read many tags at once.

NFC is usually the better fit when one person needs to interact with one tag at close range. This is common for smart packaging, customer engagement, authentication experiences, or mobile product information.

UHF RFID is often a better fit when the goal is to scan many products, cartons, cases, or pallets without handling each item individually. This can be useful for retail inventory, warehouse operations, shipment verification, and supply chain tracking.

Does the tag need to work with a smartphone?

If the RFID experience needs to work with a smartphone, NFC is usually the most practical option. Many smartphones can read NFC tags, which makes NFC useful for consumer-facing smart labels and packaging experiences.

A smartphone-enabled NFC label can connect customers to product information, usage instructions, loyalty experiences, promotional content, authentication tools, or reorder pages.

Traditional UHF RFID tags are generally used with RFID readers and supporting software rather than consumer smartphones. If the goal is supply chain visibility or inventory tracking, UHF RFID may be more appropriate. If the goal is customer engagement from a package or product label, NFC may be the better fit.

Is the tag for a product, pallet, asset, or package?

The item being tagged should guide the RFID tag selection. A product label, carton label, pallet label, equipment tag, wristband, card, and reusable container may each require a different tag type or construction.

Product-level RFID programs often use passive RFID labels because they can support high-volume identification and inventory workflows. Pallet and carton tracking programs may use UHF RFID to improve shipment and receiving visibility. High-value asset tracking programs may use active or battery-assisted RFID tags when longer read range or location visibility is more important.

The tag’s physical format also matters. A pressure-sensitive RFID label may be the right choice for a product or carton, while a more durable hard tag may be better for equipment, tools, reusable containers, or harsh environments.

Do you need printed labels, variable data, or serialization?

Many RFID applications require more than the RFID inlay itself. The label may also need printed branding, product information, barcodes, QR codes, human-readable numbers, variable data, or serialized information.

For product and packaging applications, the RFID label should be planned alongside the printed label. The label material, adhesive, print method, inlay placement, and variable data requirements all need to work together.

If each label needs unique information, such as a serial number, product code, lot number, barcode, or Electronic Product Code, the RFID program may also need variable data printing or serialization support.

The best RFID tag type is the one that fits the full application: the item, environment, read range, data requirements, label construction, reader setup, and business goal. A strong RFID label program should be designed around how the tag will actually be used in the field, not just how it performs in theory.

Beyond RFID Tags: Readers, Antennas, and Software

RFID tags are only one part of an RFID system. Even the right tag type will not perform well if the reader, antenna, label placement, software, and data workflow are not designed around the application.

A complete RFID system typically includes four core components:

• RFID tags: The labels, inlays, cards, wristbands, or asset tags that store and communicate identifying information.
• RFID readers: The devices that send radio signals to RFID tags and receive information back from them.
• Antennas: The components that help transmit and receive radio frequency signals between tags and readers.
• Software or information processing systems: The systems that collect, organize, interpret, and connect RFID data to inventory, supply chain, asset tracking, or customer engagement workflows.

These components need to work together. A tag that performs well in isolation may not deliver reliable results if it is placed in the wrong location, applied to the wrong material, read from the wrong angle, or used with a reader setup that does not match the environment.

For example, an RFID label used on a pallet moving through a warehouse may require different testing than an NFC smart label used on consumer packaging. A tag used on metal equipment may need a different construction than a tag used on a paper carton. A product-level RFID program may need variable data, serialization, barcode backup, and data integration in addition to the RFID inlay itself.

Before deploying an RFID program, it is important to evaluate:

• which items need to be tagged
• where each RFID label or tag will be placed
• what material or surface the tag will be applied to
• how far away the tag needs to be read
• whether tags will be read one at a time or in bulk
• which readers and antennas will be used
• what data needs to be encoded, printed, captured, or shared
• how RFID data will connect to inventory, supply chain, compliance, or customer engagement systems
• what testing is needed before rollout

This is why RFID tag selection should be part of a larger system-design conversation. Frequency, power source, inlay selection, label material, adhesive, print method, reader infrastructure, and software all affect the final result.

Working with an experienced RFID label partner can help reduce trial and error. The right partner can help evaluate the application, recommend RFID label constructions, support testing, and design a scalable solution that works in the real environment where the tags will be used.

FAQs About RFID Tag Types

What are the main types of RFID tags?

The main types of RFID tags are commonly grouped by frequency and power source. RFID frequency types include low-frequency RFID tags, high-frequency RFID tags, NFC tags, and ultra-high-frequency RFID tags. RFID tags can also be grouped by power source as passive RFID tags, active RFID tags, and semi-passive or battery-assisted passive RFID tags.

What is the difference between LF, HF, and UHF RFID tags?

LF, HF, and UHF RFID tags operate at different frequency ranges. Low-frequency RFID tags usually have shorter read ranges and can perform better than some higher-frequency tags in certain applications involving metal or liquids. High-frequency RFID tags are often used for smart cards, wristbands, ticketing, and library media. Ultra-high-frequency RFID tags typically support longer read ranges and are commonly used for supply chain visibility, retail inventory, product tracking, carton tracking, and pallet tracking.

Is NFC the same as RFID?

NFC is a type of RFID, but RFID is the broader technology category. NFC stands for near field communication and operates at 13.56 MHz, which places it within the high-frequency RFID category. NFC is usually used for close-range, one-to-one interactions, while other RFID systems may be used for longer-range tracking, bulk reads, inventory control, and supply chain applications.

What is the difference between active and passive RFID tags?

Active RFID tags have a battery and can transmit signals using their own power source. Passive RFID tags do not have a battery. Instead, they are powered by the signal from an RFID reader. Active tags are often used for longer-range asset tracking, while passive tags are commonly used for product labels, pallet labels, carton tracking, retail inventory, and smart label applications.

What is a semi-passive RFID tag?

A semi-passive RFID tag, also called a battery-assisted passive RFID tag, includes a battery but does not transmit continuously like an active RFID tag. Instead, the battery helps power the tag when a reader signal is received. Semi-passive tags may be useful for specialty tracking applications or environments where additional read support is needed.

Which RFID tag type is best for inventory tracking?

UHF RFID tags are commonly used for inventory tracking because they can support longer read ranges and bulk scanning. This makes UHF RFID useful for retail inventory, item-level tracking, carton tracking, pallet tracking, warehouse operations, and supply chain visibility. The best tag still depends on the item, environment, reader setup, label placement, and data requirements.

Which RFID tag type works best near metal or liquids?

Low-frequency RFID tags can perform better than some higher-frequency tags in certain applications involving metal or liquids, but the right choice depends on the tag design, label construction, placement, reader setup, and testing process.

Do RFID tags need a battery?

Not all RFID tags need a battery. Passive RFID tags do not have a battery and are powered by the RFID reader signal. Active RFID tags include a battery and can transmit signals over longer distances. Semi-passive or battery-assisted passive RFID tags include a battery, but the battery supports the tag when a reader signal is received rather than broadcasting continuously.

Can RFID tags be used on product labels?

Yes. RFID tags can be built into product labels, smart labels, carton labels, pallet labels, and other label formats. An RFID label typically includes an RFID inlay with a chip and antenna, along with the printed label material, adhesive, branding, product information, barcode, variable data, or serialized information required for the application.

How do I choose the right RFID tag?

To choose the right RFID tag, consider the item being tagged, read range, frequency, power source, label material, adhesive, application surface, environment, reader setup, data requirements, and whether the tag needs to support one-to-one engagement or bulk scanning. The best RFID tag type is the one designed around the full application, not just the tag itself.