What is an On-Metal UHF RFID Label?
On-metal Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) labels are adhesive UHF RFID tags designed to function on conductive surfaces such as steel, aluminum, copper, and electronic materials. These UHF RFID labels use foam spacers, magnetically absorbent materials, or flag designs to offset the UHF RFID inlay from the metal surface, preserving signal strength. The foam construction creates a physical gap, while the flag design allows part of the antenna to extend off the metal edge. Some on-metal UHF RFID labels are Auburn RFID Lab Certification (ARC) certified for retail supply chain applications. These labels are thermal transfer printable and may include both UHF RFID and Near Field Communication (NFC) chips. Unlike standard UHF RFID labels and UHF RFID inlays that fail on metal, on-metal versions maintain read range and reliability.
On-metal UHF RFID labels are used to identify and track metal tools, machinery, containers, and medical assets. They serve as a digital proxy for the tagged object, enabling long-range scanning and, with dual-frequency labels, close-range interaction via smartphones.
How to Choose an On-Metal UHF RFID Label
- Label Structure: Select foam spacer designs for flat label profiles or flag designs where the label can extend beyond the metal surface.
- Metal Surface Type: Flat surfaces create stronger signal reflection than textured surfaces; aluminum and copper require more robust solutions than iron or steel.
- Read Range: UHF RFID labels typically achieve a read range of 10 to 20 feet, depending on antenna size and design requirements.
- Print Method: Compatible with thermal transfer printing only, not direct thermal due to foam or spacer construction.
- UHF RFID Chip Type: Choose based on memory needs and features such as security or serialization (e.g., UCODE 9, Monza R6).
Customizing an On-Metal UHF RFID Label
- Printing Services: GoToTags offers thermal transfer printing with quick turnaround on in-stock items and special orders with longer lead times.
- Custom Layouts: Special orders include custom web widths, pitch spacing, black marks, sensor notches, or perforations between labels.
- Encoding: UHF RFID labels can be pre-encoded with Electronic Product Codes (EPC), Tag Identifier (TID), or user memory data, or encoded by customers using the GoToTags Desktop App and compatible equipment.
Recommendations
- Test UHF RFID labels on specific metal surfaces before large-scale deployment, as performance varies by metal type and environment.
- Choose foam-backed UHF RFID labels for flat surfaces and flag-style for curved applications or visual prominence requirements.
- Use dual-frequency labels for both RFID tracking and NFC smartphone interaction.
- Expect costs to be approximately 30% higher than standard UHF RFID labels due to specialized construction materials.
- Do not assume metal is the only interference source—water and reinforced concrete may also require specialty UHF RFID labels.
