RFID Journal Staff asked 10 years ago Is there a ballpark figure you could provide?
—Name withheld
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That would depend on many different factors. Passive low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) tags cost more than passive ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) tags, and all active RFID tags cost more than passive tags. So one issue to consider would be the type of tags you are purchasing. Another would be the tag's packaging. You could purchase a passive inlay (the transponder mounted on a substrate), or an inlay that has been converted into a printable label via adhesive. The price would be different for each.
Passive and active tags can be encapsulated in some kind of housing for protection. Generally speaking, the more robust the housing, the greater the protection and the higher the cost. Active tags have batteries, which also influences price. If you sought a battery that would last for a decade, it would likely cost more than one lasting for two years. Active tags can also have sensors, again adding to the cost.
Still another issue is the number of tags you wish to purchase. If you were to order 200 tags, the price would be significantly higher than if you bought 2 million. So to give a ballpark amount regarding tag cost, I would first need to understand your specification application and the type of tag you are looking to buy, as well as the volume. Then I could probably provide a pretty good rough estimate.
You might also want to check out my answer to another recent question, "How Much Does an RFID System Cost?"
—Mark Roberti, Founder and Editor, RFID Journal
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