Custom UHF RFID Wet and Dry Inlays

DO RFID manufactures passive UHF RFID inlays for label converters, RFID tag producers, system integrators and companies deploying item, carton or asset identification. Our wet and dry inlays combine a UHF IC, an etched aluminum antenna and a PET carrier in a compact component that can be converted into RFID labels, stickers, hang tags and other finished transponders.

We supply standard and custom inlay designs for the 860–960 MHz UHF band. Available options include different EPC Gen2 chip families, antenna dimensions, wet or dry construction, adhesive systems, web layouts and delivery formats. Tell us what the tag will be attached to, the required read zone, the reader environment and how the inlay will be converted; our factory can recommend an appropriate starting configuration and provide samples for testing.

Wet inlay or dry inlay: which format do you need?

Both formats contain the working RFID component—the IC bonded to the antenna on a substrate. The difference is primarily the converting stage in which the material is supplied.

A wet inlay is adhesive-backed, but it is not automatically the same as a finished printed RFID label. Face stock, printing, overlamination, die cutting and environmental protection can still be added according to the application. A dry inlay offers more freedom to build a specialized tag structure from the component level.

Standard construction and customizable options

The following options summarize the useful information from the existing product and the configurations normally selected for a UHF RFID inlay project.

The antenna footprint and IC cannot be selected independently from performance requirements. A compact inlay may fit a small label but normally provides less antenna area than a larger design. The right choice depends on the object, available label space, reader setup and read reliability needed at the actual site.

How a passive UHF RFID inlay works

When a compatible UHF RFID reader energizes the inlay, the antenna captures radio-frequency energy and powers the passive IC. The chip then communicates by modulating the reflected RF signal. This backscatter process enables identification without a battery and allows multiple EPC Gen2 tags to be read within a reader zone.

The IC stores the identifier and other available memory defined by the selected chip. The antenna determines how efficiently the tag exchanges energy with the reader. The bond between IC and antenna, antenna tuning, substrate and final label construction all affect the finished transponder. For that reason, an inlay that performs well in free air may behave differently after it is placed on a carton, plastic bin, glass container or a product with high liquid or metal content.

Selecting an inlay for the real read environment

Read range is a system result, not a fixed property of the inlay alone. Buyers should evaluate the complete reader–antenna–tag–object relationship.

• Reader and antenna setup: transmit power, antenna gain, polarization, cable loss and the shape of the read zone influence energy available to the tag.
• Inlay antenna and IC: antenna size, tuning and IC sensitivity affect how efficiently the inlay activates and responds.
• Object material: corrugated cartons and many plastics are comparatively straightforward. Liquids can absorb UHF energy, while metal detunes a conventional inlay unless a suitable spacer or on-metal tag construction is used.
• Orientation and placement: the inlay should be tested in the orientations and positions that occur in the real process, not only in an ideal bench setup.
• Regional frequency: deployments should use an antenna design suitable for the local UHF RFID operating band.
• Tag population and environment: dense tag placement, nearby objects, moving products and reflections can change the reader zone.

DO RFID can help narrow the starting design, but production approval should be based on samples tested with the intended reader, object and installation conditions.

Chip and antenna choices for different projects

Different EPC Gen2 IC families offer different memory structures, sensitivity, privacy or brand-protection features and sourcing profiles. Impinj Monza, NXP UCODE and Alien Higgs are common UHF families represented in the existing product offering. The best option is determined by the data workflow and the selected antenna design—not by the chip name alone.

For carton and pallet logistics, buyers often prioritize reliable portal or conveyor reads and practical encoding. Retail programs may need compact label integration, fast inventory counts and supply-chain compatibility. Asset identification may require a stronger face material, adhesive matched to the surface and a label construction designed for the service environment. If the tagged object is metallic, contains liquid or is exposed outdoors, ask for a purpose-built final tag construction rather than assuming a standard paper-label inlay will provide the required result.

Typical applications

UHF wet and dry inlays can be converted for:

• carton, case and pallet identification in logistics;
• inventory and item-level retail labels;
• warehouse location, reusable container and asset tags;
• manufacturing work-in-process and production tracking;
• library, document and file identification where UHF infrastructure is used;
• event, ticketing or access media designed around UHF rather than HF/NFC;
• custom smart packaging and product-authentication projects supported by the selected IC and system design.

These examples describe common UHF RFID uses. The finished tag material, adhesive and protection level should match the handling, temperature, moisture, surface and service-life requirements of the actual application.

Custom manufacturing for converters and RFID projects

DO RFID supports standard supply and custom/OEM inlay projects for B2B buyers. Our manufacturing service can coordinate the IC and antenna design with the required wet or dry format, roll specification and downstream label construction. For recurring production, keeping the approved chip, antenna, pitch and delivery orientation consistent helps the converter maintain stable setup and quality control.

To prepare an accurate recommendation or quotation, send:

1. operating country or UHF frequency region;
2. tagged product and surface material;
3. target read distance and reader/antenna arrangement;
4. available inlay or finished-label dimensions;
5. dry or wet format and any adhesive requirement;
6. preferred IC or required EPC/user-memory function;
7. roll width, pitch, core, unwind direction and packing needs;
8. encoding, printing or finished-label requirements, if applicable;
9. sample quantity and expected production volume.

If these details are not yet fixed, describe the application and the result you need. Our team can propose a practical sample configuration for testing before volume production.

Frequently asked buyer questions

Can the same UHF inlay be used worldwide?

The EPC Gen2 air interface is widely used, but regional UHF operating bands differ. Antenna designs may be broadband or optimized for a particular region. Confirm where the tags will operate so the selected inlay matches the deployment.

Is a wet inlay ready to attach to a product?

A wet inlay includes pressure-sensitive adhesive and release liner, so it can simplify label conversion. The final product may still need face material, printing, die cutting, lamination or environmental protection. For direct application, confirm that the adhesive and exposed construction are suitable for the surface and service conditions.

What determines actual reading distance?

Actual performance depends on the inlay design, IC, reader power, reader antenna, orientation, tagged material and surrounding environment. A quoted distance without these conditions is not a reliable production specification. Sample testing in the real read zone is the best validation method.

Can DO RFID customize the inlay?

Yes. DO RFID can supply custom UHF RFID inlay configurations for B2B projects, including chip and antenna selection, dimensions, wet/dry format and converting specifications. Share your object, read-zone and production requirements to start the design and quotation process.

Request samples or a quotation

Send DO RFID your application, frequency region, dimensions, reader setup and order quantity. We will help you select a suitable UHF RFID wet or dry inlay, arrange samples where appropriate and quote the production configuration your project requires.