The Chip
At the heart of every NFC product or 'tag' is an NFC chip. The chip is responsible for storing data, handling communication with your smartphone and controlling how that data can be accessed.
It's important to note that the chip (for example, an NTAG213) is separate from the physical product it's built into, such as a label, card, key fob, or wristband.
Most of the NFC tags and products we supply use one of two chips: the NTAG213 or the NTAG424. The NTAG213 is the most common and is ideal for storing web links, text, and other simple data. If you're linking your NFC product to a website, this is almost certainly the chip you want.
If you're working on anti-counterfeit, authentication or secure NFC applications, then you're much more likely to need the NTAG424. You can find more guidance on choosing the right chip on our Which NFC chip ? page.
Using NFC Tags on Metal Surfaces
Most standard NFC tags will not work if they are attached directly to a metal surface. This is why.
NFC tags work using electromagnetic induction. When you scan a tag, the phone generates a magnetic field which powers the NFC chip. If the tag is placed directly onto metal, the metal acts as a ground plane and disrupts the magnetic field, effectively preventing the tag from generating the current it needs to power up.
To solve this, we offer a wide range of 'on-metal' NFC products. These have a special ferrite backing material which acts as a barrier between the antenna and the metal surface. This allows the tag to be scanned reliably even when applied to metal.
On-metal tags can be used on both metal and non-metal surfaces. However, because of the additional barrier layer, they typically don't scan quite as well as regular tags, and they also cost a little more. In short, avoid using on-metal tags unless you actually need to.
One important note: you can never put NFC tags behind metal.
If you need an on-metal tag, look for the on-metal icon on our products and check the product data to confirm your chosen tag is suitable.
For more information, read our full guide on how on-metal tags work.
Tag Size
There are a number of factors that affect the scan distance of an NFC tag, but one of the most significant is tag size. In simple terms, the larger the antenna, the greater the scan distance.
For example, a small 15mm NFC label might have a scan distance of around 1cm. By comparison, a larger 48x78mm label can have a scan distance of as much as 7 to 8cm.
Scan distance has a big impact on the user experience, so we generally recommend using the largest tag size you can for your application.
For more information, see our guide on how NFC antenna sizes affect scan performance.
Stock & Custom Print
Seritag holds hundreds of thousands of NFC products in stock, which means many items can be shipped immediately.
However, we can also supply a much wider range of products and can customise them with your artwork, logo, ID sequence, QR codes and more. These products are typically listed as Custom Print or Special Order. Look for the custom print or special order graphics on the product page.
To order custom printed products, you can upload your artwork directly on our website. We will then create a PDF proof for you to review and confirm before we move the order into production.
If you're not sure which product is best for your project, take a look at our starter packs. These NFC starter packs include a selection of our most popular NFC products across different categories, making it easier to test and compare options.
Overview
Seritag offers a wide range of NFC products, backed by experience from thousands of projects. If you're not sure what to choose, we're always happy to help you select the right product for your application.
All NFC tags work in the same way - the main difference is the format. The best option depends on where the tag will be used, how durable it needs to be and whether it needs to look premium or be carried by a person.
Labels - White, Clear and Full Colour (Adhesive)
Choose labels if: you want the most flexible and cost-effective option for tagging products, packaging, posters, marketing materials or general items.
Common uses: product packaging, posters and signage, QR/NFC marketing, indoor asset tagging, product instructions, digital manuals and smart labels.
Options: White labels are the best all-round choice for most projects. Clear labels (wet inlay format) are ultra-thin and ideal for lamination or discreet applications. Full colour printed labels are best when appearance matters, such as retail, branded packaging and customer-facing use.
Asset / Hard Tags
Choose hard tags if: the tag needs to survive heavy handling, outdoor use, cleaning, high traffic or harsher environments.
Common uses: facilities and room management, equipment identification, maintenance logging, outdoor assets or high-traffic public areas.
Options: Our range includes PVC disc tags (ideal for general facilities use), ABS and PPS disc tags (great for outdoor use) and industrial tags for applications requiring heat or chemical resistance. We also offer specialist formats such as NFC cable ties and nail tags for tagging equipment, pipes, timber and more.
Wristbands
Choose wristbands if: the NFC tag needs to be worn by a person, used quickly and not easily lost.
Common uses: events and festivals, visitor access, ticketing, leisure centres, hotels, attractions, staff entry and tap-and-go experiences.
Wristbands are ideal for 'always ready' environments where you need a simple and durable solution.
Keyfobs
Choose keyfobs if: you want a compact, durable NFC product that stays with the user long-term and can be tapped daily.
Common uses: access control, memberships, loyalty schemes, gyms, staff identification, clubs and visitor return schemes.
Keyfobs are often chosen when you want something more robust than a card and easy to keep on a keyring.
PVC Cards
Choose PVC cards if: you need a professional, wallet-friendly format that looks official and has plenty of space for branding or printed details.
Common uses: sharing contact details, digital business cards, staff ID, membership cards, hotels, schools, visitor passes, organisations and clubs.
PVC cards are ideal when the NFC tag is used for sharing contact details, or part of an ID system or long-term membership programme.
Authentication Tags
Choose authentication tags if: you need secure verification, protection against cloning, or anti-counterfeit functionality (for example using NTAG424).
Common uses: product authentication, warranty activation, anti-tamper systems, brand protection or secure validation workflows.
If you're working on authentication, we recommend discussing your project with us early, as encoding and setup can be more complex.
Specific Use Case Products
Choose specialist products if: you want a product designed for a specific workflow, such as collecting reviews, marketing, or fixed-location installs.
Common uses: Google review collection, marketing displays, church and community engagement, customer feedback, counter-top tap points.
We also offer some unique options, including one of our favourites - the NFC pen.
Starter Packs
Choose a starter pack if: you're new to NFC, want to compare different formats, or want to test what works best before ordering in bulk.
Starter packs are a quick and affordable way to try a range of tag types and find the best fit.
ID Print
A number of our white labels, and most of our custom print special order products, are available with ID print. This means we print, etch, or laser a unique number onto each product for identification.
This is especially useful if you are encoding unique data onto each NFC tag and want a clear visual reference to help you deploy, manage, or identify each tag later. You can supply your preferred ID numbers when you place your order (along with your encoding data). Or, if we aren't encoding the tags for you, you can supply the ID list separately.
Many products can also be printed with a unique QR code as well as (or instead of) a visual ID. This can be matched to the unique NFC encoding on each tag. If this is required for your project, simply select the ID print option when ordering.
We've got more information on ordering NFC tags with ID print
UID Scan
Every NFC chip has a unique ID (UID) written into memory during manufacture. On genuine chips (which all of ours are), this UID cannot be changed.
A small number of asset management systems use the UID as the identifier for each tag. Some of these systems also require that all UID numbers are loaded into a database before the tags can be deployed.
In these cases, we can provide a full list of the UIDs in your order if you select the UID scan option. To be clear, it's very unlikely that you need a UID scan, and it's almost certain that if you don't already know you need it - you don't!
We've got more information on how to order NFC tags with a UID scan.
Encoding Options
Encoding is the process of writing data to an NFC tag (for example, a web link). For small quantities (typically under 100 tags), many customers encode their tags themselves using a mobile app.
For larger quantities (especially thousands), or where each tag needs unique data to match a printed ID, we offer a fast and accurate encoding service.
NFC tags can be encoded many thousands of times until they are locked. Locking is permanent and prevents the tag from being changed, which is recommended for tags used in public locations. If you need tags to remain editable, you can use password protection (available with Seritag Encoding) or our Seritag NFC Encoder app.
If you need to manage a large number of tags or update them remotely, consider our Ixkio NFC tag management platform.
Seritag NFC Encoder App
There are many NFC encoding apps available, but we've designed ours to be as simple as possible. The Seritag NFC Encoder app is free for Android and iPhone and lets you encode web links, then lock or password-protect your tags.
If you're encoding yourself, select the "Encode Yourself" option at checkout and download the app from your app store.
Seritag Encoding
We can encode hundreds of thousands of NFC tags per day, starting from just a few pence/cents per tag. We use our own encoding machines and software, so all encoding data is managed securely in-house.
We support a wide range of chips including NTAG213, NTAG215, ICODE SLIX, and NTAG424.
NTAG424 authentication encoding is more complex, and we can support secure key transfer or integration with Ixkio. We recommend discussing your project with us before ordering.
To order with Seritag encoding, choose Single Encoding (Locked or Unlocked) if all tags use the same data. Choose Variable Encoding if each tag needs different data (you'll upload or email a spreadsheet/list).
Ixkio Encoding
Ixkio is our NFC tag management platform for managing, controlling and deploying NFC tags, including both standard and authentication tags.
If this is your first Ixkio order (especially for authentication tags), we recommend speaking with us first. If you order regularly, you can select "Encode to Ixkio" at checkout.
Encoding to Ixkio is free on most labels and some products (so if it shows "no cost", that's correct).
Custom Print
Many of our products are available with custom print, meaning they are manufactured with your artwork, logo or graphics.
When ordering, you'll usually find a graphics template on the left side of the product page. Use this to set up your artwork.
You can also download our Graphics Guidelines for artwork setup advice.
Need help ?
If you're not sure where to start, contact us. You can upload a logo and a simple outline of what you need and we can guide you. For simple layouts, we can often create a print-ready version quickly at no cost. (For full design work, we may charge, but we'll always confirm with you first.)
Using Canva
Canva is a popular option for creating artwork. If you use Canva, export as JPG or PDF (Print), then upload it during checkout. If you'd like us to check it first, you can email it to us.
Order process
After you place your order, we create a PDF proof showing exactly what will be printed. This includes colour references (if provided) and details for QR codes, encoding, etc.
You must approve the proof before production can begin.
Unique QR codes / ID numbers
If your QR code is the same on every product, include it in the artwork.
If each product needs a unique QR code or ID, include the first code/ID in your artwork. You don't need to supply all QR codes - we generate them automatically from your encoding data file. If you need a specific font for the ID, don't outline the text or email us details after ordering.
