RFID Inlays

Our powerful custom inlay capabilities give you an advanced, customized RFID solution

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What is Inlay Innovation?

Inlay Innovation is our new brand that offers custom RFID inlay design and manufacturing using state-of-the-art equipment and process. It continues our deep history of technological advancements in bringing high-tech manufacturing innovation in Iowa.

Drawing on our nearly 20 years of RFID experience and expertise, Metalcraft’s Inlay Innovation engineers create high-impact RFID solutions specifically targeted to each customer’s unique application needs by intensely listening, learning and creating that ideal solution together. We partner with customers to supply consistent, highest quality, highest performing, customizable inlay designs. Our partnership continues as we develop custom inlay solutions together.

Partnering for RFID Success

In conjunction with Metalcraft, Inlay Innovation helps stabilize the ever-changing RFID supply chain by becoming your one-stop shop – partnering with you for all your RFID tag needs. Starting with initial inlay design to full production runs of inlays – or even wholly constructed custom RFID tags – your product never leaves American soil. For you, this means competitive pricing, shipping and timeliness. Metalcraft can confidently meet your RFID identification challenges from prototypes to production, delivering you long-term success.

Here’s what Inlay Innovation offers to you:

Inlay Manufacturers:

  • Contract Converting – provide additional capacity during peak production
  • Inlay Prototyping – vet out potential product ideas
  • Inlay Testing – ensure quality parts through rigorous testing
  • Pilot Runs – take prototypes to next phase without significant investment or risk

Systems Integrators/Distributors/End Users

  • Inlay Consulting and Design – collaborate with our team of experts
  • Unique Product Offering – differentiate with custom inlay offering

High Tech with a Personal Touch

Inlay Innovation offers world-class inlay manufacturing and testing capabilities, as well as the technical expertise that rivals those of any larger organization in the RFID industry. But we offer something those larger companies don’t – service with a personal touch. We genuinely listen to our customers and are invested in their successes – which shows in our excitement as we continually communicate through every project and make it easy to do business with us. Our inlay design consultants work with you, reviewing specifications and defining objectives to develop custom inlay designs for specific applications. We delight in giving customers the flexibility, ease of use and technical solutions they need to meet ID demands not only today but into the future. This level of service and support is there for you always, genuinely defining ID Made Better.®

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From The Asset Tracking Blog

December 20, 2024
Why Metalcraft’s RFID Tags Work For Facilities Management

Metalcraft’s barcode and RFID solutions enhance facilities management with durable, customizable asset tracking that improves efficiency, accuracy, security, and long-term reliability.

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April 5, 2025
Top Questions About RFID Technology Explained

RFID uses electromagnetic fields to wirelessly track tagged items, enhancing inventory accuracy, efficiency, and visibility. It enables real-time data collection and supports diverse applications across industries.

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April 9, 2025
Tariffs. Delays. Uncertainty. Why U.S.-Made RFID Tags Are The Clear Advantage

U.S.-made RFID tags offer faster delivery, better quality, and long-term savings compared to imports—avoiding tariffs, delays, and hidden costs.

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RFID Inlays Videos

Top 5 RFID Myths [Video]

In this video, Colynn Black, RFID Business Development Director at Metalcraft, debunks the top 5 myths about RFID technology gathered from industry experts.

  1. Read Range of Passive RFID Tags: Many believe RFID tags work like GPS and can be scanned from 500-1,000 feet away, but the actual read range is typically around 60-65 feet.
  2. RFID Tags and Metal: Another myth is that RFID tags can be scanned through metal. In reality, metal blocks RF signals, though special tags like Metalcraft’s Universal RFID can be read on metal surfaces.
  3. Stealing Credit Card Data via RFID: While it’s a concern, stealing credit card info using RFID requires highly advanced skills, making it a rare occurrence.
  4. Hardware is All You Need: Some think RFID systems only require hardware, but software is often the most crucial component for a system’s success.
  5. RFID for Human Tracking: The myth that RFID chips track humans is unfounded. Human body fluids greatly reduce the functionality of RFID tags, even if implanted.

Colynn busts these common misconceptions, providing clarity on how RFID technology really works.

Top 5 RFID Myths [Video]
What Is RFID? EASIEST Explanation!

RFID frequency plays a crucial role in determining how RFID tags perform globally. Different countries operate within specific frequency bands, making it essential to choose the right tag for your needs. RFID frequency is measured in megahertz (MHz), with two common bands: high frequency (HF) and ultra-high frequency (UHF). UHF ranges from 860-960 MHz, but countries like the U.S. use the FCC band (902-928 MHz), while European countries use the Etsy band (865.6-867.6 MHz).

Though most passive UHF tags are designed for global use, their performance may vary depending on the location’s frequency range. Understanding these frequency differences ensures optimal tag performance across borders. Watch this video to learn more about RFID frequency and how it affects your operations.

What is RFID Frequency and Why It’s Important
Printing & Encoding RFID Labels on Printronix T4000

FAQs

An RFID inlay is a component of radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. It consists of an RFID chip (also known as an integrated circuit or IC) attached to an antenna, typically embedded in a substrate material such as plastic or paper. The chip and antenna together form the core of an RFID tag, which is used for identifying and tracking objects, people, or animals remotely through radio waves.

RFID inlays come in various shapes and sizes depending on their intended application. They are commonly used in products such as RFID labels, stickers, cards, and tickets. The inlay is typically embedded within or attached to the item being tracked or identified.

RFID inlays find applications in a wide range of industries, including retail, logistics, transportation, healthcare, and manufacturing, where tracking and identification of assets, products, or individuals are required.

Wet and dry RFID inlays refer to two different manufacturing processes for producing RFID tags, specifically focusing on the adhesives used during production.

Wet RFID inlays are created by directly embedding the RFID chip and antenna onto a carrier substrate (usually a backing material such as plastic or paper) using an adhesive.

Dry RFID inlays involve a different process where the RFID chip and antenna are first assembled onto a carrier substrate, and then a dry adhesive layer is applied over them.

In terms of functionality and application, there isn’t typically a significant difference between wet and dry RFID inlays. Both types serve the same purpose of providing the core components for RFID tags, allowing for identification and tracking of objects, people, or animals through radio waves. The choice between wet and dry inlays often depends on factors such as manufacturing processes, cost considerations, and specific application requirements.

An RFID inlay and an RFID tag differ in their composition and level of completion for use in RFID systems. An RFID inlay is a basic component of an RFID tag, consisting of a microchip (which stores data) and an antenna (which communicates with RFID readers) affixed to a flexible substrate, such as a thin film or paper. Inlays can be either wet (with adhesive backing) or dry (without adhesive), and they are typically embedded into or attached to various surfaces or converted into finished RFID tags. On the other hand, an RFID tag is a fully assembled product ready for use, incorporating the RFID inlay within a protective outer material, such as plastic, metal, or paper, depending on the application. RFID tags are designed to be durable and suitable for specific environments, providing complete solutions for asset tracking, inventory management, access control, and more. In summary, while an RFID inlay is a core component necessary for RFID functionality, an RFID tag is the finished, deployable product that incorporates the inlay and additional materials for specific use cases.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and RAIN RFID are both wireless technologies used for automatic identification and data capture, but they differ in their standards and applications. RFID is a broad term encompassing various types of RFID technologies, including low-frequency (LF), high-frequency (HF), and ultra-high-frequency (UHF) systems. RFID technology uses radio waves to transmit data from an RFID tag to a reader, and it can be used for a wide range of applications such as inventory management, access control, and payment systems. RAIN RFID, however, specifically refers to a subset of RFID technology that operates in the UHF spectrum (860-960 MHz) and complies with the global RAIN RFID alliance standards, based on the EPC Gen2v2/ISO 18000-63 protocol. RAIN RFID offers longer read ranges, faster data transfer rates, and the ability to read multiple tags simultaneously, making it ideal for applications like supply chain management, logistics, and large-scale asset tracking. In essence, while all RAIN RFID is a type of RFID, not all RFID is RAIN; RAIN RFID is distinguished by its use of the UHF band and adherence to specific industry standards for enhanced performance in diverse environments.

EID (Electronic Identification) tags and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags are both used for identifying and tracking assets, but they serve different purposes and operate on different principles. RFID tags use radio waves to transmit data from a microchip embedded within the tag to an RFID reader, allowing for quick and non-line-of-sight identification of objects. RFID tags can be passive (requiring no internal power source) or active (with a built-in battery), and they are used in a wide range of applications, from inventory management to access control and asset tracking. EID tags, on the other hand, specifically refer to electronic identification tags often used in animal identification and management systems. While EID tags also use RFID technology to store unique identification numbers, they are tailored for agricultural purposes, such as tracking livestock and ensuring compliance with traceability regulations. The primary distinction lies in their specific applications: RFID tags are versatile and used across numerous industries, whereas EID tags are a specialized subset designed primarily for animal tracking and management, offering enhanced features for use in agricultural environments.