What is an NFC Tag?
A Near Field Communication (NFC) tag is a small data storage device containing an NFC chip and antenna that communicates wirelessly with NFC-enabled devices such as smartphones, tablets, or readers over short distances. The NFC chip stores data in standardized formats, including NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF), which enables actions such as launching URLs, opening apps, or verifying products. NFC tags are available in many physical formats such as NFC inlays, NFC keyfobs, NFC cards, NFC stickers, and NFC tokens. Unlike UHF RFID tags, which operate at longer distances and require dedicated readers, NFC tags work with consumer smartphones at close proximity.
NFC tags are used in applications such as product authentication, smart packaging, asset management, and inventory tracking. In these applications, NFC tags serve as unique digital identifiers for contactless data access and verification.
How to Choose an NFC Tag
- Form Factor: NFC tags come in various physical formats such as NFC inlays, NFC keyfobs, NFC cards, NFC stickers, and NFC tokens. Thin flexible NFC labels are used for paper and packaging, durable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or epoxy tags are used for industrial environments, and embedded tags are designed for integration into products.
- Surface Compatibility: Paper and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) NFC tags are suitable for non-metal surfaces such as plastic, cardboard, or glass, while tags used on metal surfaces require a ferrite shielding layer to prevent signal interference, and epoxy or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) tags are recommended for rugged or outdoor use.
- Read Range: Standard NFC tags typically achieve read ranges of 1-4 cm with smartphones, while tags with larger antennas can extend read range up to 10 cm but require more surface area.
- NFC Chip Type: NXP NTAG213 is suitable for most applications, NXP NTAG215 offers medium memory capacity, NXP NTAG216 provides larger memory for longer data records, ICODE SLIX chips are optimized for longer read ranges, and NTAG 424 DNA chips include cryptographic authentication for secure transactions.
- Availability: Standard NFC tags are typically kept in stock for immediate dispatch, while specialty tags or those using advanced chips may require special order lead times.
Customizing an NFC Tag
- Size and Shape: NFC tags are available in multiple dimensions depending on antenna size and desired read range, with circular tags being most common and rectangular or custom shapes produced upon request.
- Printing: Custom printing can include logos, serial numbers, barcodes, and full-color artwork applied to the tag surface.
- Customization: Custom tag shapes, embedded designs, or special chip configurations can be ordered in bulk quantities, typically with a minimum order quantity of 500 units and a lead time of approximately 3 weeks.
- Encoding: GoToTags can encode data into NFC tags as a service, including unique identifiers, URLs, or text records, while customers can also perform encoding using the GoToTags Desktop App.
Recommendations
- Use NTAG213 for general applications requiring broad device compatibility and reliable performance.
- Select on-metal NFC tags with ferrite shielding when tagging metal or conductive surfaces to prevent communication issues.
- Test NFC tags on the intended surface before large-scale deployment to verify read range and device compatibility.
