While you can use off-the-shelf RFID tags to meet most of your needs, sometimes it can be tough to get a tag or a reader that can meet your specific needs. If you’ve found yourself in such a situation, then all you need are custom RFID tags.
These tags enable you to create unique features that are ideally not available in the market. With the customizable tags, you’ll be able to add special adhesives, detailed data, and personalized casing.
Additionally, custom RFID tags give you the leeway to determine the size and shape of your tags. If you want to learn more about this RFID tags flexibility, then read on.
What is a Custom RFID Tag?
While there are many types of tags, it is factual that you’ll not find a one-fits-all RFID tag. As such, RFID manufacturers make custom RFID tags that are virtually empty.
These tags have the read/write functionality, making it easy to add data and commands that suit your needs. They are designed to enable diverse uses, thus providing unique solutions to unique problems.
Custom tags come in different forms, including custom RFID cards and custom RFID key fobs. You’ll determine everything about the cards –the shape, dimension, and RFID programming methods to apply.
Levels of RFID Tags Customization
When you visit your ideal store to buy an RFID tag, you should ask a representative about the customization level that your ideal card allows. There are three levels of customization to choose from, including:
- High RFID Tag Customization
This is the RFID card that offers the most customization options. It is constructed with your needs in mind. As such, the manufacturers will consider all your specifications from the initial manufacturing stages.
This is your ideal option if you’re dealing with a highly unique item, want unique security features, or need high-level personalized features.
- Semi-Customizable RFID Tag
Unlike a high-customizable option, this RFID tag is available off-shelf. The only advantage it has over others is the fact that it allows relatively more customization options.
With a semi-custom RFID tag, you’ll be able to add specific attachments, backings, custom printing, and encoding. All these functions will enable the use of the RFID tag for functions that are unique to your organization.
- Low-Customization
This is a relatively rigid RFID card when compared to the high and semi-customizable options. While it has all the features of your standard RFID tag, it has a few added features. For example, most low-customizable RFID tags will allow you to encode specific data and print using an RFID printer.
RFID Tags Customizable Features
There are several features that you should look out for when buying your custom RFID tag. This consideration will help you decide whether to buy a high, semi or low customizable tag. Here are the customizations that you can make on any RFID tag:
- Special Backings
Do you want a unique appearance on your RFID tag? Do you want it to reflect the theme of your organization? If you want an RFID tag with a superior encasement, you should opt for the custom tag. It doesn’t matter whether you want a soft RFID inlay, labels, or hard tags – this option will suit you best.
Most RFID inlays have a PET encasement followed by the adhesive layer. You can choose the type of PET/plastic to use on your tags.
If you want the hard tags with an external layer of encasement, you can choose from a plethora of materials available. Some of the common backing materials used in RFID tags include PET, durable plastics, and metals.
To get all these features, you will need a high-level customizable RFID tag. This way, you can determine the ruggedness and the general nature of your encasement.
- Choice of Face Stock
Manufacturers can use several materials to make the face stock of RFID labels and inlays, including PET (white or clear) and paper.
You can choose the material you want on your tag. PET is more durable, and it protects the printed text from harsh environmental factors that would result in fading. However, it is more expensive than paper.
Before selecting the ideal face stock, you should always remember that your choice will affect the ribbon you choose when printing. PET will require wax-resin ribbon, which is generally more expensive than other variants.
- Data – Encoded & Printed
Custom RFID tags enable you to custom-encode your tags. This allows you to have a tag specific to a particular function, thus enhancing security and efficacy. Your ability to customize the data makes it easy to print highly targeted information that you can use for personalized purposes, such as marketing.
- Memory Customization
Unlike other rigid options, custom RFID tags allow you to customize your tag’s memory. You can achieve this using high-memory IC or by moving some bits to other memory banks.
- Appearance
With the custom RFID tags, you can decide the size and shape of your RFID tags. This enables you to personalize them, thus meeting your specific needs better.
Benefits of Custom RFID Tags
Custom RFID tags are highly flexible. You can use the customization option to enhance your RFID tags’ functionality and efficacy. Here’s how:
- Optimizing the Efficacy When Mounting it on Metal Surfaces
Overall, the functionality of RFID tags is adversely affected by metallic surfaces, especially low-frequency ones. In such cases, you will need a highly customized tag for guaranteed efficacy.
To achieve this, you can affix a special casing (on the attachment side) to provide a gap between the tag and the metallic surface.
Additionally, the special attachment casing will absorb radio waves from other surfaces, thus ensuring that they don’t interfere with the reader’s waves.
- Get Foam-Backed RFID Tags for Use on Items with High Water Content
Just like metals, moisture surfaces are not ideal for use with RFID tags. Luckily, you can get a custom RFID tag that will enable you to create foam-backed encapsulation on the tags.
In these tags, you will add a foam spacer between the tag and the moist surface. This minimizes the effect of moisture on the functionality of the RFID tags.
The foam-backed tags will be instrumental when you want to attach the RFID tags to human bodies, animals, and any other relatively moist surface.
- Highly Specific RFID Tags – Ability to Personalize the Tag
The custom RFID tags allow you to personalize the tags. You can add a backing that matches your business’s theme or that offers you comfort when in use.
Additionally, these tags are essential to individuals in particular industries. In that case, it would not be easy to get an ideal off-the-shelf tag. Buying the custom ones will enable you to write any information on the card without a hassle.
