By RFID MFG Editorial Team · Updated June 15, 2026
Inlays are the core
An inlay is the antenna-plus-chip on a thin substrate. A dry inlay has no adhesive (for laminating or embedding); a wet inlay adds adhesive to peel and stick. White (printable) labels add a coated face so you can print and encode in one pass.
HF vs UHF labels
HF labels (13.56 MHz) suit item-level, short-range uses like libraries and pharmacy. UHF labels (860–960 MHz) suit retail and logistics where long range and bulk reads matter. The choice follows the read environment, not the label shape.
Printable RFID labels
White-faced labels work with RFID-capable thermal printers (e.g. Zebra), letting you print barcode and text and encode the chip on demand — the standard for retail and warehouse roll-out.
Converting and application
Converters laminate dry inlays into tickets, cards and tags. End users apply wet inlays directly to cartons and products. Supply is reel-to-reel with custom pitch for automated application.
Which label type?
| Need | Choose |
|---|---|
| Apply directly to items | Wet inlay / sticker |
| Laminate or embed | Dry inlay |
| Print + encode on demand | White printable label |
| Retail / logistics range | UHF label |
| Library / item-level | HF label |
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an inlay and a label?
An inlay is the bare antenna-and-chip; a label is a finished inlay with a printable face and often adhesive, ready to apply.
Can I print RFID labels in-house?
Yes, with an RFID-capable thermal printer and white printable RFID labels you can print and encode on demand.
What read range do UHF labels achieve?
Typically 1–8 m depending on chip, antenna size, reader and what the label is applied to.