Laundry tag
Industrial & harsh environment
What is it?
Laundry tags are among the toughest RFID tags made. They must survive industrial washing (60–85°C water, harsh detergents), tumble drying, ironing, and commercial pressing – hundreds of times. Encapsulated in silicone, TPU, or heat-resistant polymer, they are sewn into or attached to uniforms, linens, and workwear for automated sorting and inventory in commercial laundries.
How it works
An RFID inlay is encapsulated in a flexible, heat-resistant polymer (silicone or TPU) that protects against water, detergent, heat, and mechanical stress. The encapsulation is ultrasonically welded or moulded to prevent water ingress. The antenna is designed to work when the tag is surrounded by wet fabric. Tags are either sewn into a garment seam, heat-sealed, or clipped on.
Use cases
- Commercial laundry and linen management
- Uniform and workwear tracking
- Hotel linen inventory
- Hospital scrubs and gown tracking
- Cleanroom garment management
Pros
- Survives 200+ industrial wash cycles
- Temperature resistance up to 200°C (autoclaving)
- Flexible enough to not affect garment comfort
- Enables fully automated sorting and counting
- Long lifespan justifies per-unit cost
Cons
- Higher per-unit cost ($0.50–$3.00)
- Reduced read range due to wet environment
- Must be correctly positioned for reliable reads
- Adds slight weight/stiffness to garment
Specifications
| Power type | Passive – powered by reader signal |
|---|---|
| Frequency | UHF (860–960 MHz) or HF (13.56 MHz) |
| Read range | UHF: 1–3 m; HF: up to 30 cm |
| Lifespan | 200+ wash cycles; 3–5 years |
| Price range | $0.50–$3.00 per unit |
| Environmental rating | IP68; withstands industrial washing, drying, ironing, and autoclaving |