RFID Journal Staff asked 10 years ago Is there a chance of tag failure occurring after a few washes? Are any tags guaranteed for the lifetime of a garment?
—Name withheld
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I am unaware of any RFID laundry tags that are guaranteed for the lifetime of a garment. Manufacturers of such tags usually provide information about the amount of heat that a tag can withstand, and either specify the number of washings that a tag can be expected to survive or offer a limited guarantee of some sort.
HID Global, for example, offers a two-year guarantee on its SlimFlex Laundry Tag. The company also makes the LogiButton Tag, a passive high-frequency (HF) tag for laundry applications.
Junmp Technology, meanwhile, provides a flexible silicone laundry tag made with a silicon skin, but does not specify how long the tag will survive.
In general, button tags can withstand multiple washings and are unlikely to fail since they are encased in hard plastic. I've heard of laundries that have used them for years. More recently, companies have begun making flexible tags. Since these tags are newer, it is not yet possible to say how long they will last. I suggest you contact HID Global and other manufacturers and request information regarding how long their tags are expected to function.
—Mark Roberti, Founder and Editor, RFID Journal
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