David Savastano, Editor09.05.23
Editor’s Note: The use of RFID labels is becoming mainstream in markets ranging from electronics and apparel to logistics, and as one of the world's largest printers, RRD is well positioned to see this growth first-hand. Andrew Palmer, director of sales, labels and forms at RRD, discusses RRD's history with RFID and NFC and where the technology is growing in the packaging sector.
Printed Electronics Now: How long has RRD been working in RFID?
Andrew Palmer: RRD has supported data collection technologies through innovative label products since the 1990s, so it’s been almost three decades now. RRD brings together experts specializing in HF (high frequency), UHF (ultra-high frequency) and NFC (near-field communication) alongside engineers with the expertise in developing the optimal combination of inlays, facestocks and adhesives to build custom solutions that enhance performance.
This time-tested experience has allowed us to enhance our RFID capabilities with a full range of pressure-sensitive labels with inlays, tag and label converting, label design, and implementation support, among others.
Printed Electronics Now: Is RRD seeing growing interest in RFID?
Andrew Palmer: While smart labels have long had applications in various industries, we have now seen an exponential increase in their use. Due to RFID’s ability to track products through different touchpoints from production to the point of sale, and some major retailers now mandating RFID label usage to improve inventory management and security, they are becoming more prevalent. Apart from their use being implemented by major retailers, RFID labels are proving to enhance efficiency and reduce costs for businesses that use them to track and manage inventory throughout their supply chain and at the point of sale.
Printed Electronics Now: What services in RFID does RRD provide for its customers?
Andrew Palmer: RRD’s RFID solutions consist of a range of offerings in order to effectively address different customers’ needs. RRD offers a full range of pressure-sensitive labels with inlays (e.g., HF, UHF) and system integration recommendations based on the RFID application. Due to RRD’s long standing industry experience, RRD is also able to offer tag and label converting – uncoated to multi-color prime, blank and imaged, label design and implementation support, and a wide range of overt and covert features for authenticity.
It’s also worthwhile to note that RRD is a large provider of paperboard folding cartons and offers the complete solution of RFID labels affixed to folding cartons in one process. This dual capability is a game changer for brands looking to add RFID to their processes or comply with retail mandates. As a one stop shop provider, RRD has the capabilities to streamline complex and custom manufacturing operations, improving accuracy and reliability in the supply chain, creating cost savings, and improving production line efficiency to meet today’s ever complex global supply chain needs.
Printed Electronics Now: What are some of the markets that are most interested in using RFID?
Andrew Palmer: RFID labels are common in electronics, apparel, aerospace, logistics, healthcare, and energy industries. They are frequently used to heighten security of high-value purchases, through both product and personnel tracking, as well as brand protection against counterfeiting. Across industries, RFID labels bring value to supply chain efficiency and inventory management. They are also becoming more prevalent in retail, food and agriculture, automotive, life sciences, manufacturing, and warehousing sectors as businesses begin to see their added value to operations. As RFID technology becomes increasingly critical to streamline inventory management, more consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands across a wide range of product categories will need to invest in item-level RFID labels.
Printed Electronics Now: What have been some of the biggest challenges that RRD has seen with RFID, and how has RRD overcome them?
Andrew Palmer: Incorporating RFID labels into a business’s systems and processes can be challenging. As with most inventive technologies, businesses are often reluctant to move away from their long-standing operations and invest in something new. Implementing RFID labels throughout the supply chain is an investment that businesses have to commit to upfront in order to purchase corresponding hardware and train staff. However, investing in RFID labels can deliver a worthwhile return with savings gained on process and labor efficiencies. RRD has helped customers seamlessly transition by guiding them through the integration of RFID labels within existing infrastructures, mapping incremental improvements further down the road, and assessing return on investment.
In the advent of retailer-mandated RFID labels, some brands may be unfamiliar with the steps necessary for compliance. Clients are likely to experience a number of challenges: identifying a vendor to source their labels, navigating the label approval process, and understanding the options for affixing RFID labels to their product (by hand, automated, or integrated into their packaging). As an approved vendor for a number of retailers requiring on-product RFID labeling, RRD can help streamline the process and support brands who are at risk of non-conformance.
Printed Electronics Now: Is there anything that you would like to add?
Andrew Palmer: RRD recently published its 2023 (Un)Packaging Reality Report which showed that although market pressures are prompting changes to labels, change isn’t easy. The most widely reported substitutions included selections to minimize costs, the inclusion of more sustainable materials, and making efforts to improve readability. RFID labels, however, are an important part of this conversation as they provide information on supply chain inefficiencies, keep accurate inventory, and help businesses meet increasing eCommerce demand.
Printed Electronics Now: How long has RRD been working in RFID?
Andrew Palmer: RRD has supported data collection technologies through innovative label products since the 1990s, so it’s been almost three decades now. RRD brings together experts specializing in HF (high frequency), UHF (ultra-high frequency) and NFC (near-field communication) alongside engineers with the expertise in developing the optimal combination of inlays, facestocks and adhesives to build custom solutions that enhance performance.
This time-tested experience has allowed us to enhance our RFID capabilities with a full range of pressure-sensitive labels with inlays, tag and label converting, label design, and implementation support, among others.
Printed Electronics Now: Is RRD seeing growing interest in RFID?
Andrew Palmer: While smart labels have long had applications in various industries, we have now seen an exponential increase in their use. Due to RFID’s ability to track products through different touchpoints from production to the point of sale, and some major retailers now mandating RFID label usage to improve inventory management and security, they are becoming more prevalent. Apart from their use being implemented by major retailers, RFID labels are proving to enhance efficiency and reduce costs for businesses that use them to track and manage inventory throughout their supply chain and at the point of sale.
Printed Electronics Now: What services in RFID does RRD provide for its customers?
Andrew Palmer: RRD’s RFID solutions consist of a range of offerings in order to effectively address different customers’ needs. RRD offers a full range of pressure-sensitive labels with inlays (e.g., HF, UHF) and system integration recommendations based on the RFID application. Due to RRD’s long standing industry experience, RRD is also able to offer tag and label converting – uncoated to multi-color prime, blank and imaged, label design and implementation support, and a wide range of overt and covert features for authenticity.
It’s also worthwhile to note that RRD is a large provider of paperboard folding cartons and offers the complete solution of RFID labels affixed to folding cartons in one process. This dual capability is a game changer for brands looking to add RFID to their processes or comply with retail mandates. As a one stop shop provider, RRD has the capabilities to streamline complex and custom manufacturing operations, improving accuracy and reliability in the supply chain, creating cost savings, and improving production line efficiency to meet today’s ever complex global supply chain needs.
Printed Electronics Now: What are some of the markets that are most interested in using RFID?
Andrew Palmer: RFID labels are common in electronics, apparel, aerospace, logistics, healthcare, and energy industries. They are frequently used to heighten security of high-value purchases, through both product and personnel tracking, as well as brand protection against counterfeiting. Across industries, RFID labels bring value to supply chain efficiency and inventory management. They are also becoming more prevalent in retail, food and agriculture, automotive, life sciences, manufacturing, and warehousing sectors as businesses begin to see their added value to operations. As RFID technology becomes increasingly critical to streamline inventory management, more consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands across a wide range of product categories will need to invest in item-level RFID labels.
Printed Electronics Now: What have been some of the biggest challenges that RRD has seen with RFID, and how has RRD overcome them?
Andrew Palmer: Incorporating RFID labels into a business’s systems and processes can be challenging. As with most inventive technologies, businesses are often reluctant to move away from their long-standing operations and invest in something new. Implementing RFID labels throughout the supply chain is an investment that businesses have to commit to upfront in order to purchase corresponding hardware and train staff. However, investing in RFID labels can deliver a worthwhile return with savings gained on process and labor efficiencies. RRD has helped customers seamlessly transition by guiding them through the integration of RFID labels within existing infrastructures, mapping incremental improvements further down the road, and assessing return on investment.
In the advent of retailer-mandated RFID labels, some brands may be unfamiliar with the steps necessary for compliance. Clients are likely to experience a number of challenges: identifying a vendor to source their labels, navigating the label approval process, and understanding the options for affixing RFID labels to their product (by hand, automated, or integrated into their packaging). As an approved vendor for a number of retailers requiring on-product RFID labeling, RRD can help streamline the process and support brands who are at risk of non-conformance.
Printed Electronics Now: Is there anything that you would like to add?
Andrew Palmer: RRD recently published its 2023 (Un)Packaging Reality Report which showed that although market pressures are prompting changes to labels, change isn’t easy. The most widely reported substitutions included selections to minimize costs, the inclusion of more sustainable materials, and making efforts to improve readability. RFID labels, however, are an important part of this conversation as they provide information on supply chain inefficiencies, keep accurate inventory, and help businesses meet increasing eCommerce demand.
