How to Choose UHF RFID Inlays for Label Converting
Choose a UHF RFID inlay by matching it to your converting line and the finished product. A suitable inlay must fit the label design, run through your equipment and read reliably after the label is applied. Start with those requirements before choosing a chip or comparing unit prices.
Dry inlay, wet inlay or finished label?
| Format | When to evaluate it | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Dry inlay | Your converting process incorporates the antenna and chip assembly and adds its own adhesive or laminate | Bonding method, web handling and inlay placement |
| Wet inlay | Your process calls for a self-adhesive inlay supplied on a release liner | Adhesive, liner width, inlay pitch and application method |
| Finished RFID label | You need a label with a face material ready for your specified printing or application process | Face material, print method, adhesive and finished dimensions |
Ask for a construction drawing. The antenna footprint, die-cut size and overall web width are separate measurements. The distinction between dry and wet inlays is also explained in Avery Dennison’s guide for label converters.
Confirm the roll before you order
Send your supplier the usable web width, pitch, core diameter, maximum roll diameter and unwind direction. If your equipment uses a sensor mark or requires a specific chip position, include it in the drawing. For projects with an approved inlay, provide the exact reference and say whether alternatives may be evaluated.
Also specify whether the inlays should arrive blank or encoded. For serialized EPCs, agree on who supplies the identifiers, how encoded data will be read back and how rejected units will be handled. The GS1 EPC Tag Data Standard describes how EPC data is represented on compatible RFID tags.
Test after converting and application
Make a trial roll or a small batch using the intended face material, adhesive and finishing process. Apply the finished labels to representative products or cartons. Test them with the intended reader, at the intended read points and in realistic orientations. If the product contains metal or liquid, include it in the test. A loose inlay test is useful for screening, but it does not validate the final assembly.
How Nexora can help
Nexora helps converters compare roll-format UHF inlays, review material and delivery options, and coordinate samples before bulk production. We can also discuss printing or encoding requirements when the project calls for finished labels.
View Nexora’s RFID inlays and label converting options. For a recommendation, send Nexora your label drawing, roll specification, deployment country and estimated quantity.