RFID tag selection
Choose RFID tags
for the assets you track
Compare tags for metal tools, bins, indoor assets and textiles. The material, mounting and working conditions determine which tags to test.
Test the tag on your asset with the reader you plan to use.
Choose the technology first
UHF is not
the same as NFC.
This guide focuses on passive UHF / RAIN RFID tags for assessed Ledger reader setups. A phone-readable NFC tag or a low-frequency access fob is not a substitute for a UHF asset tag.
A tag supplies an identity. Ledger connects that identity to an asset record and the configured workflow. The tag does not independently know who has an asset, where it is or whether it has been returned.
These are selection categories, not a stocked tag catalogue. We will confirm a specific product, dimensions, frequency, mounting, compatibility and supply terms before recommending it.
Compare RFID tag types
Use the material and working conditions to narrow the choice. Final selection needs a real sample and a read test.
Indoor, non-metal assets
RFID labels
An adhesive label or encapsulated inlay
A starting point for suitable plastic items, packaging and other non-metal surfaces. Some labels can carry printed text or a barcode alongside the encoded RFID identity.
Check before choosing
- Adhesive compatibility with the actual surface and cleaning process.
- Available flat area, label dimensions and placement.
- Whether printing and encoding are needed, and which printer supports the chosen media.
Example assetsBoxes, reusable containers and suitable office equipment.
Discuss this tag typeTools & metal equipment
On-metal tags
A tag specifically designed for a metal mounting surface
Do not assume a standard RFID label will work when attached to metal. Assess an on-metal design in the space available, with the reader and orientation used in the real workflow.
Check before choosing
- The tag is specified for metal, not merely supplied with a strong adhesive.
- Mounting by adhesive, screws, rivets or an appropriate attachment.
- Clearance, impact exposure and whether the asset can safely be drilled.
Example assetsMetal tools, equipment cases and suitable machinery components.
Discuss this tag typeBins & outdoor equipment
Rugged asset tags
A protected or encapsulated tag with an agreed mounting method
Choose against the asset material and its exposure to weather, impact and cleaning. An outdoor use case needs evidence for the actual tag, not a generic claim that RFID is weatherproof.
Check before choosing
- UV, water ingress, impact and temperature limits in the supplier datasheet.
- A mounting position protected from handling damage and abrasion.
- Actual asset contents, including liquids, and the direction of the reader.
Example assetsWaste bins, returnable transport items and outdoor equipment.
Discuss this tag typeGarments & reusable textiles
Laundry & textile tags
A washable textile tag attached as specified by its supplier
Assess the complete care process. Washing, drying, chemicals and repeated handling place different demands on a tag than ordinary indoor asset use.
Check before choosing
- Wash, drying and chemical limits for the exact tag.
- An approved sewn-in, pouch or heat-seal attachment method.
- Comfort, placement and read performance when items are stacked or bundled.
Example assetsUniforms, regalia and reusable linen in an assessed process.
Discuss this tag typeBefore ordering a batch
Test a sample
before you order
Bring a representative asset
Include its material, contents, cleaning process, temperature exposure and an example of where the tag could go.
Try the mounting and reader together
Read the tag in the intended orientation, at the capture point, among nearby assets. Check for both missed reads and unwanted reads.
Agree encoding and the Ledger record
Decide who supplies or encodes the identifiers, how they map to assets and how duplicates or replacement tags are handled.
Confirm the product and supply terms
Agree the SKU, dimensions, frequency, mounting method, minimum quantity, lead time and any printer or encoder requirements.
Need a reader to go with it?
Choose a mobile, desktop or fixed capture point before committing to a tag-reader combination.
Further reading
No tag performance, price, stock availability or Ledger validation is implied by a link to a manufacturer's range.
Start with your workflow
Tell us what you need to tag.
Bring the asset, the working conditions and the process. We can assess the tag, reader and Ledger setup together.
Discuss your assets Or check your RFID readiness