RFID Tagging Guideline
This is a general guideline for RFID tag placement. Please use this guideline as a starting point, but the final tagging location should be determined based on considering all the factors that affect the readability of RFID tags. The tagging location should be validated for each product type through the Auburn University RFID Lab ALEC program before mass production.
General Guidelines
1. Ensure there is only ONE RFID tag per product.
2. The performance of the RFID inlays is significantly affected by metal, foils or water based liquids. Special consideration must be taken when choosing tagging format and location for such products.
3. When choosing the tagging location, RFID readability should be considered while the product is in the sales floor, backroom, displays, lockup, and case pack. For example, the RFID tag cannot be placed on bottom of product since the tag will most likely be in direct contact with metal.
4. No metal foils, holograms, or metallic inks should be used on any packaging containing the RFID inlay.
5. RFID cannot be applied to an EAS tag.
6. No staples, perforations, swift tach, or die cuts through the inlay as it will make the inlay unreadable.
7. Close proximity of RFID tags should be considered in stacking when determining tag formats and placement. RFID tags cannot be in very close proximity of each other when displayed/stored.
8. A consistent tagging location should be used across similar products.
9. The RFID tag should not fall off from product easily.
10. The RFID tag should be placed such that it is easily removable by the customer after purchase.
11. The RFID tag should not be folded.
12. The RFID tag should only be sewn in or integrated into the physical item if the tag can be removed.
13. The RFID tag cannot cover any text or images.
14. If an item is being stickered, the domicile with the country of origin should not be covered up – it needs to be visible to the customer. The supplier can print the country of origin on the RFID sticker if needed.
15. RFID tags can be placed inside the packaging (not the product) as long as the EPC symbol is placed outside.
16. If the product could be merchandised without the packaging, the RFID tag should be attached to the product. For example, Bikes, Grills, Furniture.
17. If the product comes in multiple cases (an example would be furniture sets where the table is boxed separately from the chairs), ensure that there is only one tag on one of the boxes. Please contact Auburn RFID Lab to determine which box should be tagged.
Guideline by Packaging/Product Type
The yellow labels on the photos are used to illustrate a potential tagging location. The final tagging format (embedded or integrated or secondary) and tagging location should be determined based on all packaging requirements and factors that affect the readability of RFID tags.
Cardboard Box / Acetate Box / Window Box
Preferred Tagging location
- • RFID Adhesive label on the inside top flap.
Alternative Tagging location
- • RFID Adhesive label on the inside upper corner of the side panel.
- • When placing the RFID tag on the side panel choose the narrow or thin side that has the least likelihood of touching metal shelves.
Notes
- • For Electronic items that are typically stored in lock cases, the RFID tag should be on the side of the item that contains all the product information. This is the side that will be facing out in a locked cage, and will also be facing up, if stacked on a metal shelf.
- • If the product is made of metal, foil, liquid, or glass, place the RFID tag on the box such that the tag is not in front or behind those materials.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab
Belly Band
Preferred Tagging location
- • Apply an RFID adhesive label to the side/top of belly band. Choose the narrow or thin side that has the least likelihood of touching metal shelves.
Alternative Tagging location
- • If placing the RFID adhesive label on the side/top of the belly band is not feasible due to the thickness of the product, it can be placed on the front of the belly band.
Notes
- • The RFID adhesive label can be applied to the inside of the belly band.
- • Ensure the RFID adhesive label is not on the bottom of the belly band since the tag will most likely be in direct contact with metal shelves.
- • If the product contains metal, foil, liquid, or glass, place the RFID tag such that the tag is not in front, behind, or in contact with those materials.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.
Collectible Item
Preferred Tagging location
- • Apply an RFID adhesive label on the inside top flap.
Alternative Tagging location
- • Apply an RFID adhesive label on the inside narrow side panels.
Notes
- • If the product is made of metal, foil, liquid, or glass, place the RFID tag on the box such that the tag is not in front or behind those materials.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.
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Backer Card
Preferred Tagging location
- • Integrate the RFID inlay into the current backer card.
Alternative Tagging location
- • Apply an RFID adhesive label on the back or front side of the existing backer card.
Notes
- • If the product contains metal, foil, liquid, or glass, place the RFID tag such that the tag is not in front, behind, or in contact with those materials
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass, please contact Auburn RFID Lab.
Trapped Blister
Preferred Tagging location
- • Integrate RFID inlay in between the cards.
Alternative Tagging location
- • Apply an RFID adhesive label on the back or front side of the existing card.
Notes
- • If the product contains metal, foil, liquid, or glass, place the RFID tag such that the tag is not in front, behind, or in contact with those materials.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.
Clamshell with Cardstock Insert
Preferred Tagging location
- • Integrate the RFID inlay into the current cardstock insert.
Alternative Tagging location
- • Apply an RFID adhesive label on the back or front side of the existing cardstock insert.
- • Apply an RFID adhesive label on the clamshell packaging.
Notes
- • If the product contains metal, foil, liquid, or glass, place the RFID tag such that the tag is not in front, behind, or in contact with those materials.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.
Header Card
Preferred Tagging location
- • Integrate the RFID inlay into the current header card.
Alternative Tagging location
- • Apply an RFID adhesive label to the back or front side of the existing header card.
Notes
- • If the product contains metal, foil, liquid, or glass, place the RFID tag such that the tag is not in front, behind, or in contact with those materials.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.
C-Card
Preferred Tagging location
- • Apply an RFID adhesive label to the front or side (inside or outside) of the C-Card.
Alternative Tagging location
- • RFID label can be applied to the back of the C-Card if it will not come into contact with the metal shelving.
Notes
- • Ensure the RFID tag is positioned on the C-Card such that the tag has the maximum separation from the metal shelf when the product is stored or displayed.
- • If the product contains metal, foil, liquid, or glass, place the RFID tag such that the tag is not in front, behind, or in contact with those materials.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.
Polybag
Preferred Tagging location
- • Apply an RFID Adhesive label on the front or back of the bag towards the top.
Notes
- • If the product contains metal, foil, liquid, or glass, place the RFID tag such that the tag is not in front, behind, or in contact with those materials.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.
Hang Tag
Preferred Tagging location
- • Integrate the RFID inlay into the current hang tag.
Alternative Tagging location
- • Apply an RFID adhesive label on the current hang tag.
- • Attach a secondary RFID hang tag along with the current hang tag.
Notes
- • The RFID hang tag cannot be placed towards the bottom of product to ensure that the RFID inlay will not rest on the metal shelving.
- • If the product contains metal, foil, liquid, or glass, place the RFID tag such that the tag is not in front, behind, or in contact with those materials.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.
Flag Tag
Preferred Tagging location
- • Integrate an RFID inlay into the flag tag.
Alternative Tagging location
- • Apply an RFID adhesive label on the existing flag tag.
Notes
- • If the product contains metal, foil, liquid, or glass, place the RFID tag such that the tag is not in front, behind, or in contact with those materials.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.
Label (Adhesive, Litho)
Preferred Tagging location
- • Integrate the RFID inlay into the existing adhesive label.
Alternative Tagging location
- • Apply an RFID adhesive label onto the front or backside of the existing label.
Notes
- • If the product contains metal, foil, liquid, or glass, place the RFID tag such that the tag is not in front, behind, or in contact with those materials.
- • The RFID adhesive label cannot be on the bottom of the product because it will come into contact with the metal shelving.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.
Books
Preferred Tagging location
- • Integrate the RFID inlay into the existing packaging on the front cover.
Alternative Tagging location
- • Apply an RFID adhesive label to the existing packaging or on the inside of the front cover.
Notes
- • The RFID adhesive label cannot be applied to the back of the book unless the item is displayed standing in a PDQ.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.
Liquid Container
Preferred Tagging location
- • The RFID tag should be offset from any liquid inside of the container, this can be done with a flag label or an elastic/collar tag.
Alternative Tagging location
- • If the container will allow for it an RFID label can be placed on the container, cap, or spray head above the liquid level.
Notes
- • If there is a foil seal under the cap or if there is no room for a tag above the fill line, please contact Auburn RFID Lab.
- • If the product contains metal, foil, liquid, or glass, place the RFID tag such that the tag is not in front, behind, or in contact with those materials.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.
Aerosol Cans
Preferred Tagging location
- • For metal cans with a cap apply an RFID adhesive label to the top or side of the cap.
Alternative Tagging location
- • N/A
Notes
- • The RFID Adhesive Labels cannot be placed directly on the metal can.
- • If placing the RFID adhesive label on the side of the cap, the inlay must be ~10mm above the bottom of the cap.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.
Tape
Preferred Tagging location
- • Apply an RFID adhesive label on the inside of the spool or backside of the package label.
Alternative Tagging location
- • N/A
Notes
- • This tagging location will not work with tape containing foil such as HVAC Tape
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.
Tyvek Label
Preferred Tagging location
- • Apply an RFID adhesive label behind the Tyvek label or integrate a RFID inlay into the existing label.
Alternative Tagging location
- • Apply an RFID adhesive label on the front of Tyvek label in a designated area.
Notes
- • If the product contains metal, foil, liquid, or glass, place the RFID tag such that the tag is not in front, behind, or in contact with those materials.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.
Sewn-In Label
Preferred Tagging location
- • Integrated an RFID inlay into a tear-away tag.
Alternative Tagging location
- • If a tear-away tag cannot be used a secondary hangtag can be attached to the product.
Notes
- • The tag must be easily removable by the customer.
- • If the product contains metal, foil, liquid, or glass, place the RFID tag such that the tag is not in front, behind, or in contact with those materials.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.
Mylar Bag
Preferred Tagging location
- • Apply an RFID adhesive label on the front or back of the bag towards the top.
Alternative Tagging location
- • N/A
Notes
- • If the product contains metal, foil, liquid, or glass, place the RFID tag such that the tag is not in front, behind, or in contact with those materials.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.
Heat Shrink Wrap
Preferred Tagging location
- • Apply and RFID adhesive label on the shrink wrap.
Alternative Tagging location
- • N/A
Notes
- • If the product contains metal, foil, liquid, or glass, place the RFID tag such that the tag is not in front, behind, or in contact with those materials.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.
Large Product Display Items
Preferred Tagging location
- • If item is merchandised outside the primary packaging, please place RFID tag on actual product instead of the box.
Alternative Tagging location
- • N/A
Notes
- • If using generic RFID hangtags or stickers, add these instructions to RFID sticker:
- Store associate: do not remove this tag when merchandising in store.
- • Choose a location such that the tag won’t touch metal when packaged or assembled for display.
- • Make sure the tag isn’t enclosed by metal when packaged or displayed.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.
Car/Truck Batteries
Preferred Tagging location
- • Apply an RFID Adhesive label on the top of the battery.
Alternative Tagging location
- • N/A
Notes
- • The RFID label can be integrated into the existing label or be placed as a secondary label on the battery.
- • Please place a minimum of two layers of hex comb separators between batteries when they are palletized, three layers would be preferable.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.
TV’s
Preferred Tagging location
- • RFID adhesive label placed on the top or underside of the top flap of the box.
Alternative Tagging location
- • N/A
Notes
- • This will prevent the RFID tag from coming into contact with the metal shelves when this item is merchandised in store.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.
Laptops
Preferred Tagging location
- • RFID adhesive label placed on the side of the box that contains the product information label.
Alternative Tagging location
- • N/A
Notes
- • The EPC logo should be placed on the side of the box that is tagged so that store associates know which side of the box to face outwards when item is stocked.
- • This side of the box will most likely be facing outwards when these items are merchandised in store and will prevent the RFID tag from coming into contact with the metal shelves.
- • If the RFID tag cannot be offset from metal, foil, liquid, or glass please contact the Auburn RFID Lab.