What is a Direct Thermal UHF RFID Label?
A direct thermal Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) label is a short-term, printable UHF RFID tag with a heat-sensitive facestock for use in direct thermal printers. The direct thermal UHF RFID label contains a UHF RFID inlay positioned between the facestock and pressure-sensitive adhesive, with a removable liner. The facestock includes a thermally reactive coating that darkens when exposed to heat, eliminating the need for ink or ribbon. Unlike thermal transfer UHF RFID labels that require ribbon-based printing and are more durable, direct thermal UHF RFID labels are designed for temporary use and simpler printing workflows.
Direct thermal UHF RFID labels are used in high-throughput environments requiring short-term item labeling and UHF RFID tracking, including shipping, logistics, retail distribution, and warehouse operations during shipping cycles of 30 days or less. These UHF RFID labels serve as proxies for cases, pallets, packages, or other physical items moving through the supply chain.
How to Choose a Direct Thermal UHF RFID Label
- Label Size and Shape: Available in rectangular shapes optimized for barcode printing and logistics workflows. Size must accommodate printed information and inlay placement while fitting the labeled item surface.
- Printer Compatibility: Requires direct thermal printers with UHF RFID encoding capability supporting 25.4 mm inner diameter cores. Not compatible with thermal transfer printers without modification. Some printers may require adjustable core holders or external unwinders.
- Availability: Primarily special order products with limited stock of rectangular formats. Standard shapes have 2-week lead times; custom shapes require cutting dies with higher minimums and extended timelines. Setup costs are included in unit pricing, making smaller volume orders more expensive per unit.
- UHF RFID Chip Type: Most use Impinj Monza series or NXP UCODE chips optimized for high-speed encoding and long read range. Selection depends on memory requirements and application needs. Select a UHF RFID chip with sufficient memory for EPC and any required user data.
Customizing a Direct Thermal UHF RFID Label
- Custom Configurations: Custom configurations available for operational or branding requirements, including optional features such as perforations between labels or adjusted inlay position for optimal performance.
- Adhesive Options: Different adhesive types are available for various surface types, temperatures, and removal requirements, including permanent, removable, and cold-temperature adhesives.
- On-Demand Printing: Black monochrome printing is performed by customers on demand. GoToTags does not offer print services due to heat-sensitive facestock requirements. These UHF RFID labels are not suitable for pre-printed static content or high-durability needs.
- Encoding: Available pre-encoded or customer-encoded. Most customers encode during printing to synchronize printed and encoded data using RFID-enabled thermal printers.
Recommendations
- Test print quality and RFID performance with specific printer models before large orders.
- Store in cool, dry conditions to prevent premature coating activation.
- Encode during the printing process to align printed data with RFID codes.
- Use thermal transfer UHF RFID labels for applications needing print durability beyond 6 months.
- Avoid using in high-heat, outdoor, or abrasion-prone environments.
- Use existing stock sizes when possible to reduce cost and lead time.
