Store Printing
The GoToTags Store offers the customer an array of custom printing options to apply artwork or text to NFC tags in color or black and white.
Printing
The GoToTags Store can customize many products with the customer’s artwork, text, or barcodes, including GS1 Digital Link, QR, Data Matrix, and Code 128. Each product category has its own printing specifications, processes, limitations, and production time. The customer also has the option to print on their blank tags if they use select printers, which GoToTags has verified to be compatible with printable RFID labels.
Black and White Printing
GoToTags produces black and white printed RFID stickers and cards using on-hand inventory, enabling quick turnaround times.
Capabilities and limitations include:
- Thermal or inkjet printing in black color only
- Large, bold fonts are recommended; small or thin fonts may not print clearly on cards
- No full bleed printing on cards; suitable for simple art, logos, text, or barcodes, including GS1 Digital Link, QR, Data Matrix, and Code 128
- Variable text support (UTF-8, multi-language)
- Data used to generate variable barcodes (GS1 Digital Link, QR, Data Matrix, and Code 128); can be correlated with NFC encoding
- Generation of Unique IDs on RFID stickers and cards
- Option to leave the surrounding paper matrix in place, enabling full bleed or on-matrix printing
- Short production lead times
- Printed and shipped from Spokane, WA, USA
- Orders exceeding on-hand inventory may ship directly from the overseas factory
Color Printing
Color-printed RFID stickers and cards are produced by GoToTags using on-hand inventory for quick turnaround times.
Capabilities and limitations include:
- Direct to card thermal printing on cards or inkjet printing in full color on paper or synthetic paper stickers
- PMS color-matching is not available
- PVC cards do not support full-bleed printing
- Only paper and synthetic paper RFID stickers with the surrounding matrix intact support full-bleed printing
- Variable text support (UTF-8, multi-language)
- Data used to generate variable barcodes (GS1 Digital Link, QR, Data Matrix, and Code 128) can be correlated with NFC encoding
- Generation of Unique IDs on RFID stickers and cards
- Option to leave the surrounding paper matrix in place, enabling full bleed or on-matrix printing
- Printing does not include an overlay but may be purchased separately to protect the paper surface
- Synthetic paper is more resistant to color fading in UV or running due to liquids
- Shorter production lead time
- Printed and shipped from Spokane, WA, USA
- Orders exceeding on-hand inventory may ship directly from the overseas factory
Custom Printing
Custom NFC tags are made to order with longer lead times, fewer print restrictions and higher print quality. These products are produced by GoToTags overseas.
Capabilities and limitations include:
- Digital or offset printing in full-color
- Silk-screen printing (1 to 3 colors)
- Pantone (PMS) color matching (additional cost may apply)
- Full bleed background printing supported
- Laser engraving of text or simple logos
- Embossed or debossed text or simple logos (available on select products)
- Variable text support (UTF-8, multi-language)
- Data used to generate variable barcodes (GS1 Digital Link, QR, Data Matrix, and Code 128) can be correlated with NFC encoding
- Generation of Unique IDs on RFID stickers and cards
- A protective overlay is included for protection against scratching or fading
- Additional finishes include matte, glossy, metallic, foil stamping or reflective
Printing on Blank NFC Tags
The GoToTags Store sells some blank RFID tags that can be printed later and many blank RFID tags that cannot be printed after they are made. Printable RFID labels have been designed by GoToTags to be compatible with select printers. White NFC inlays, white PVC cards and some on-metal RFID stickers have also been tested for printer support. Other products such as blank NFC stickers and clear NFC inlays have not been tested for printer support or are not printable.
If a customer intends to print on an NFC tag, the customer should check the manufacturer’s specifications of the printer they intend to use to ensure the RFID tag specs are compatible. GoToTags also recommends the customer a small test run to validate compatibility before they initiate a full production run.
Specific RFID product categories at the GoToTags Store have verified printer support:
Printable RFID Labels
- Epson CW-C8000 (Inkjet digital color printing)
- Colordyne 1800 Series C (Memjet digital color printing)
- Primera LX500 (inkjet color printing)
- Primera LX2000 (inkjet color printing)
- Zebra ZT610 Industrial Printer (direct thermal transfer black printing)
- Must be on the roll
- Indigo offset lithographic printing is not supported
White RFID Inlays
- Zebra ZT610 Industrial Printer (direct thermal transfer black printing)
- Must be on the roll
On-Metal NFC Stickers
- Zebra ZT610 Industrial Printer (direct thermal transfer black printing)
- Epson CW-C8000 (Inkjet digital color printing)
- Only thin on-metal stickers with 0.1 – 0.15 mm thick on-metal layer
- Must be on the roll
White PVC Cards
- Zebra ZXP7 (direct-to-card retransfer color printing)
- Full bleed printing is not supported
- PVC cards with a punch hole on the short 54 mm side are not supported
- PVC cards with a punch hole on the long 85.5 mm side are not supported