RFID inlays are the core components of RFID tags—an antenna and microchip on a substrate—classified primarily by adhesive presence and frequency. The two main types are dry inlays (no adhesive, often used in lamination/embedding) and wet inlays (adhesive backing, used for immediate "pick and stick" application).
Key RFID Inlay Classifications
Dry Inlays: The chip and antenna are attached directly to a carrier material (like PET) without adhesive. They are generally more durable and used in manufacturing, embedding inside products, or for creating custom tags.
Wet Inlays: These are dry inlays applied to a pressure-sensitive adhesive backing (usually a clear or white paper/plastic layer), making them faster to deploy for retail, inventory, and asset tracking.
RFID Labels (Smart Labels): Technically a type of wet inlay or a conversion of one, these include a printable face paper (white PET or paper) on top, allowing for barcodes or human-readable text along with the chip.
RFID Inlay Types
UHF Inlays (860–960 MHz): Offer long-range reading (up to ~20 feet), common in supply chain and logistics.
HF Inlays (13.56 MHz): Used for shorter-range applications like access control, library systems, and NFC.
LF Inlays (125 kHz): Used for specialized, short-range tracking.
Specialized Inlay Types
Metal-Mount Inlays: Designed with a specialized backing to work on metal surfaces, often used for IT asset tracking.
Custom/Specialty Inlays: Tailored in antenna size, frequency, and material for specific applications, such as laundry tags or hazardous environment tags.
Conclusion
Choosing the right RFID inlay is critical to the success of your project—and working with the right partner makes all the difference.
At CBT, we provide a wide range of high-performance RFID inlay types tailored to your specific application needs. With advanced automated production lines, we ensure consistent quality, fast lead times, and reliable large-scale supply.
Our Thailand-based manufacturing facility also enables customers to reduce tariffs by up to 50%, helping you significantly lower overall costs while maintaining premium product standards.
Whether you need standard inlays or fully customized solutions, our team is ready to support your project from design to mass production.
Contact us today to get a free quote and expert recommendation.
FAQ
Q1: What is the difference between dry and wet RFID inlays?
Dry inlays have no adhesive and are used for embedding, while wet inlays include adhesive for direct application.
Q2: Which RFID inlay type has the longest read range?
UHF RFID inlays offer the longest read range, up to 10 meters or more.
Q3: Are RFID labels the same as inlays?
RFID labels are based on inlays but include a printable surface layer for additional functionality.
