Is It Possible to Embed an RFID Tag in Standard 80 gsm Bond Paper?

It is impossible to embed a standard high-frequency (HF) or ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) RFID transponder in 80 gsm bond paper (the thickness of ordinary office printer paper), as the transponder and antenna are simply too thick.

However, it might be feasible to embed Hitachi‘s µ-chip (pronounced ‘mu-chip’) in 80 gsm bond paper (see Hitachi Unveils Smallest RFID Chip, Hitachi Unveils Integrated RFID Tag and Hitachi Shrinks Smallest RFID Chip).

The µ-chip measures 0.15 millimeter by 0.15 millimeter (0.006 inch by 0.006 inch), with a thickness of 7.5 micrometers, or 0.075 millimeter (0.003 inch). A sheet of 80 gsm bond paper has a thickness of 0.34 millimeter (0.013 inch), so it might be possible. Companies have tested these chips in product labels (see Cosmetics and Liquor Companies Assess Toppan Printing’s Holographic RFID Labels).

Lexmark has created a laser printer that can print and encode RFID transponders (see New Office Laser Printer Encodes Tags), but the paper has a label with a peel-away adhesive backing. The transponder is embedded in the label, not in the paper. This might be an option for you, depending on the application.

There are also chipless RFID systems that could be utilized to identify and authenticate documents—but these would not be able to store those documents’ contents. One such solution, developed by Inkode, utilizes aluminum fibers that can be embedded randomly in paper during the manufacturing process (see 1-Cent RFID Tags for Supermarkets). When the paper is hit with RF energy, the metal filings reflect back the radio waves in a unique pattern. Computers associate a specific pattern with a particular piece of paper—as such, the system can be used to authenticate goods.