RFID labeling

RFID Labeling in Industrial Crating & Packing

Why RFID Is an Important Step in the Industrial Crating & Packing Process

When products aren’t labeled before shipping, they’re more likely to get lost during shipment. Additionally, improper labeling can result in revenue loss and even compliance violations. In this article, we explore exactly what radio-frequency identification (RFID) is and dive deeper into why RFID labeling is such an important step in the industrial crating and packing process.

What Is RFID Labeling?

RFID labeling is the process of tagging all consumer products with a “smart label.” This type of identifying device allows companies to maintain a more accurate count of their inventories and better manage logistics data. 

An RFID label is similar to how a barcode works; the main difference is that barcodes need line-of-sight scanning, while RFID labels do not. Because RFID labels transmit information via radio waves, they can easily be scanned from far away, and multiple labels can be scanned at once.

Why Is RFID Labeling Used in the Industrial Crating & Packing Process?

There are many benefits to using RFID labeling in industrial crating and packing. As previously mentioned, RFID labeling can speed up the inventory management process. Other benefits of RFID tags include:

  • Can Be Automated
  • Reduces Labor
  • Reduces Costs
  • Offers Better Accuracy & Tracking

 If you’re looking to streamline your inventory management process, you may want to consider incorporating RFID tags. Continue reading to learn more about how RFID compares to other labeling systems. 

RFID Versus Other Labels

With all of the labeling options available on the market, you may be wondering which type is best for your needs. In addition to RFID tags, there are three standard types of labels: barcodes, painted tags, and retro-reflective tags. Keep reading to learn more about each type.

Barcodes

Barcodes are a popular way to label inventories, but much less efficient than RFID tags. Unlike RFID, barcodes need to be scanned by a handheld electronic device. This requires more labor, and ultimately more money. However, if you are packaging metallic or liquid-based products, using barcodes may be the best option for you, as these types of materials can impact an RFID tag’s signal.

Painted Labels

Painted labels are multi-colored barcodes. The colors on each label are used to differentiate shipments. While they’re useful in labeling and storing different products in a large warehouse, they still pose the same disadvantages of traditional barcodes. 

Retro-Reflective Labels

Like painted labels, retro-reflective labels are similar to barcodes, but they have a longer range of sight for scanning. They are still not as easy to track as RFID tags, which use automatic radio waves to transmit data.

Which Labels Are the Most Efficient?

We’ve presented the advantages and disadvantages of each labeling type, but which one is best for your needs? To answer this question, we must also answer: what types of items are you tagging?  

RFID labeling is ideal for tracking inventories in real-time, especially during transport and supply chain management. While RFID tags can help speed up the overall process, it’s also costlier to set up compared to barcode labels. 

If you’re concerned about your budget, you may want to consider barcodes. However, if speed, precision, and ease of use are your top priorities, you should opt for RFID.

Is It Expensive to Implement RFID Labeling?

As we stated previously, RFID labeling is generally more expensive to implement when compared to traditional barcodes. The overall cost of implementing RFID, however, depends on many factors. Mainly, the type of scanning equipment you’re purchasing, the size of your inventory, and the type and amount of RFID tags you need.

If you have questions about the cost of RFID labeling, please reach out to our team at Export Corporation. We offer warehousing and distribution as a service, and are happy to provide you with an estimate.

Learn More About RFID Labeling in Industrial Crating & Packing

Export Corporation has been helping manufacturers around the United States for more than seven decades. As a full-service industrial crating and packing company, we not only specialize in RFID labeling, but also packaging design, assembly, kitting, custom crating, and more. 

If you have questions, or would like to request an estimate, please call us today at (810) 227-6153 or fill out our online form.