Printable On-Metal RFID Labels for Industrial Assets
Flexible roll-format UHF RFID labels for metal assets where printing, encoding, adhesive mounting and installed read performance must be evaluated together.
Start with the metal asset, label format and print workflow.
Published read distances are reference values from a fixed-reader setup with a 6 dBi antenna and a metal test plate. Curvature, metal geometry, orientation and the installed reader system can change performance.
This directory covers flexible roll-format products with a printable PET face, RFID inlay and isolation structure, adhesive and release liner. They are intended for print-and-encode workflows and adhesive installation on metal assets.
Choose On-Metal RFID Tags when a hard enclosure, screw or rivet mounting, impact protection or a mechanically retained installation is more important than roll-format printing.
Choose by available area, print workflow and installed read zone
Start with the usable label area and metal geometry. Then confirm frequency region, printer and encoder setup, adhesive conditions and the required read zone on the real asset.
Ultra-slim labels for limited label height
For narrow tools, components and metal assets where a 48 × 4 mm label format is required.
Slim printable labels for narrow metal assets
For tools, components and compact metal assets where a 50 × 15 mm printable label provides more coding area than the ultra-slim format while keeping installation space limited.
Larger labels for general metal assets
For equipment, RTIs and industrial assets where a 70 × 30 mm printable area and a longer reference read distance are preferred.
Large printable labels for bigger metal assets
For larger equipment, containers and inventory assets where a 100 × 40 mm label format and the longest reference read distance in the Aether range are useful.
Flexible labels for curved asset geometry
For cylinders and other curved metal assets where the flexible label construction can follow the surface.
RFID printer workflows with customized artwork
For projects that require variable text, barcode printing and EPC encoding before labels are applied to metal assets.
Define the complete label workflow before selection
Label size alone does not determine a successful installation. Confirm the asset, printer, adhesive conditions and read system together.
- Metal type, available area, surface finish and curvature
- Required label size, artwork, barcode and EPC data
- Printer, encoder, roll core, gap, liner width and winding direction
- Surface cleaning, adhesive application and service temperature
- ETSI or FCC region, reader, antenna, orientation and required distance
- Indoor exposure, dust, incidental moisture and expected service life
Validate the printed label on the real metal asset
Reference distances were obtained with a fixed reader, a 6 dBi antenna and a metal test plate. Validate representative printed and encoded labels on the real asset, including curvature, mounting position, orientation and the intended reader setup, before volume production.
Typical applications for printable on-metal RFID labels
Configure printing, encoding and roll conversion around a qualified platform
Crepak can adapt a qualified Aether platform through controlled changes to artwork, barcode and EPC data, chip and memory, regional tuning, adhesive selection and roll conversion. Confirm roll and printer requirements before production samples are prepared.
Engineering questions before selecting an on-metal RFID label
What is the difference between an on-metal RFID label and a rigid on-metal RFID tag?
An on-metal RFID label is a flexible, adhesive, roll-format product designed for printing and encoding. A rigid on-metal tag is normally selected when a protective enclosure, mechanical fastening or greater physical protection is more important than printer processing.
How should the five Aether formats be selected?
Aether 10 is the 48 × 4 mm ultra-slim ETSI platform. Aether 20 is the slim 50 × 15 × 1.1 mm platform for narrow metal assets. Aether 30 is the compact 60 × 25 mm platform. Aether 40 is the standard 70 × 30 mm platform, and Aether 50 is the large 100 × 40 mm platform with the longest reference read distance in the range.
Which chips and memory configurations are standard?
Aether 10 uses NXP UCODE 8 with 128-bit EPC memory. Aether 20 uses Impinj Monza R6-P with 128-bit EPC, 64-bit TID and 32-bit User memory. Aether 30 uses NXP UCODE 9 with 96-bit EPC memory. Aether 40 and Aether 50 use Impinj R6P with 128-bit EPC memory.
Which frequency versions are available?
Aether 10 is currently available only in the ETSI 866–868 MHz version. Aether 20, Aether 30, Aether 40 and Aether 50 are available in both ETSI and FCC versions. Confirm the deployment region before ordering samples.
How should the published read distances be interpreted?
The 2 m, 4 m, 5 m, 6 m and 7 m values for Aether 10, Aether 20, Aether 30, Aether 40 and Aether 50 respectively are reference results based on a fixed-reader setup with a 6 dBi antenna and a metal test plate. Actual performance depends on metal geometry, curvature, label orientation, reader, antenna and installation environment.
Can Aether labels be installed on curved metal surfaces?
Yes. The flexible construction has been used on curved metal surfaces, but no universal minimum diameter is specified. Curvature and diameter affect tuning and read distance, so validate the actual asset.
Are these labels rated for immersion or liquid-surface use?
No. No formal ingress-protection test rating is published for the Aether range, and the labels should not be positioned for immersion or prolonged water exposure. The previous liquid-surface claim is not used in this directory.
What temperature and service-life values are used?
The confirmed operating and storage range is -40 to 85°C. The public service-life statement is more than one year, subject to the asset surface, adhesive conditions, environment and installation quality.
Which RFID printers are supported?
Thermal-transfer printing and RFID encoding are supported across the Aether range. SATO CL4NX and Zebra ZT410 Silverline workflows have been demonstrated with Aether 30. For every production order, confirm the exact printer, ribbon, roll core, label gap, liner width and winding direction.
Send us the metal asset, print workflow and read requirement
Provide the asset geometry, required printed data and installed read zone. Crepak can then select an Aether platform and prepare the correct frequency, artwork, encoding and roll configuration.
