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Although chipless tags typically cost less than silicon-based tags, their use in supply chain management is limited by their inability to read multiple tags at one time.
A smart label is simply a label with an RFID tag integrated into it. An RFID microchip is sandwiched between a paper substrate and an adhesive, resulting in an RFID transponder that can be printed and applied like a traditional label.
Smart labels are frequently used for “slap and ship”, which is
term for affixing an RFID label to a case or pallet just before it is shipped from supplier to retailer. Because label is applied externally (to case or pallet) as final step before shipping, benefits of “slap and ship” have generally been limited to compliance with retailer requirements.
However, if you think of a smart label as a flexible, printable RFID device, it is easy to imagine creative ways to incorporate it into individually packaged products.
Conductive ink, also called RFID ink, is considered by many to be most exciting recent development in printing industry. Precisia and Parelec are two of companies that have developed conductive metal-based inks.
So far, conductive inks have been limited to printing RFID antennas directly onto labels and packaging through conventional printing methods. Research is ongoing to devise a method of printing IC with RFID ink.
Use of conductive ink significantly lowers cost of RFID tagging, and offers smart tag security with exceptional application flexibility.
The newest form of RFID tag is Creo’s Traceless® taggant. Traceless® is a powder that is mixed with ink or other fluid and applied to product packaging during manufacturing. Suspending powder particles in fluid allows them to form a random pattern known as “taggant image signature”. A computer records/retains this signature as item’s unique identifier, like EPC of traditional RFID.
When item passes by a Traceless® reader, reader first confirms presence of taggant powder (the pass/fail portion of security test), and then matches “taggant image signature” with one on file for that item.
What really distinguishes Traceless® is that it is undetectable, making it virtually impossible to counterfeit or tamper with. Using proprietary methods, Creo mixes a ratio of taggant in solution that is too small to be perceived visually or chemically, and is detectable only by Traceless® readers.
From inventory management to anti-theft control to pharmaceutical pedigrees, RFID technology is revolutionizing packaging industry. Awareness and education are keys to maximizing your ROI with RFID.
Dennis Bacchetta is the Marketing Manager at Diamond Packaging, a leading folding carton manufacturer. He frequently writes on a variety of topics including industry news and emerging technologies.
