Custom Print On-Metal PVC Tags

For this product we can supply two different types of adhesive : 3M467 or 3M9080. Both are high quality, long ageing and UV resistant acrylic adhesives and for the majority of applications, either will adhere well. However, if you know the material to which you will be regularly applying your tags, then here's quick summary :  

3M467

3M467 is the standard choice and is a very strong all round adhesive. However, it's best suited to metals, glass and HSE (high surface energy) plastics such as ABS or polycarbonate. 

3M9080

3M9080 is also an extremely strong adhesive. It works well on paper and board but is also ideally suited for LSE (low surface energy) plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene and PVC. 

Normal NFC tags do not work when placed directly onto metal surfaces. Therefore, when using NFC tags on metal you either need to create a gap of at least 0.5 cm between the tag and the metal or you can use a special tag - called an 'on-metal' tag - which has an additional ferrite barrier material between the NFC tag and the adhesive. 

On-metal tags will work on both metal and non-metal surfaces. However, on-metal tag scan distances always tend to be slightly less than standard NFC tags so unless you need tags that will (or might) go on metal, we would strongly recommend that you go with standard tags. 

For more information and details of how on-metal tags compare with normal tags, read our on-metal NFC tag guide. 

Help and Advice

Firstly, if you have any questions about ordering custom printed products, then drop us an email or give us a call. We have worked on hundreds of custom print projects and we are always happy to give help and advice. If you don't see the product you need, just let us know what you want. 

Artwork Preparation

We have prepared a artwork preparation pdf for guidance on how to prepare your artwork for full colour tags. In summary, you need to make sure your artwork is good quality which means either vector artwork or a image of high resolution. If you don't have the experience or software to set your artwork, just email us what you have any any layout ideas you have. We can always help. 

Sizes and Outlines

For many products online there's also a template that you can download which will give you the size to work to. For others where there might be multiple sizes such as express labels, you can create your own outline (say 35mm round) or just ask us for a template of the size you need. 

The Process

If you are sure of your size and product, you can order online here and email us your artwork with your order reference number. If you aren't sure or want a proof first, then send us your artwork before you place the order. We can then check it's all good before you go forward. 

Once we have your artwork, we will typically produce a pdf proof to show you how the tags will look. This usually only take 24 hours but often you will get this back in the same day. You can then make sure you are happy with what we are going to print and we go to production. 

Unique ID/QR Code Elements

A unique element is something that is printed unique to each tag. For example, each tag might have it's own ID number and/or QR code. In these cases, you would prepare your artwork with an example QR/ID to show us the layout. We then remove this and use your data. You don't need to generate the QR codes - we do that automatically. You just supply a spreadsheet to us with the list of ID/QR Code data and we use that. 

Encoding Yourself

You can encode your tags with a smartphone and it's quick and easy.

1. Download the NFC tools app - it's free for both iPhone and Android users
2. Open the app and tap 'Write', then add a record
3. Tap 'Custom URL/URI', and then copy and paste your URL into the given text box.
4. Tap OK, and then tap 'Write'
5. Hold your phone over the tag, and your tag will encode. That's it !

For more information, have a look at our How to encode tags with an iPhone and How to encode tags with an Android phone pages. 

Encoding by Seritag

Seritag have fast and accurate encoding services when you need a large number of tags encoded or you want to be absolutely sure that the encoding is handled correctly. 

For full information on how to order your NFC tags encoded by Seritag, read our Ordering NFC Tags with Encoding advice page. 

Encoding for ixkio

If you are using our ixkio NFC tag management platform, then you can select 'Encode for ixkio' as the encoding option and we will encode to work with your ixkio account. We do not charge encoding fees for ixkio customers on labels (inc. NTAG424 authentication encoding) so if you see zero setup and unit cost, it's not a mistake ! 

What is tag management ?

NFC tag management allows you to dynamically control the destination URL of your NFC tags. It provides tracking and stats, authentication services for anti-counterfiet tags, and a host of features to assist in getting the right tags in the right locations or products. Ixkio even allows you to encode your own NTAG213, iCODE or NTAG424 tags with our mobile App. 

Using ixkio

Ixkio is designed as an engine for your NFC tags and works alongside your existing ecommerce or marketing website. You don't need to spend time and money to recreate your branding or content. Ixkio can be used as an API system for authentication or more commonly a redirect system - managing dynamic links. Of course, you can attach your own domain so the tags are encoded with your brand. 

Tags can be encoded by us at supply (free of charge for labels) or you can encode your own tags - including NTAG424 - usng our mobile app or your own mehtods. You can then manage and alter the tag destination using rules and dynamic data features to display pages from your exiting website. 

Ixkio provides additional powerful tools to protect your landing page when using authentication tags and can even pass tag related information from ixkio - such as serial numbers or prodict information - to be dynamically displayed on your page. We have even built a Shopify App to make integration easier for Shopify users. 

Can ixkio be used for Digital Product Passports (DPP) ?

Absolutely. Ixkio has a comprehensuve data factilities engineered to allow extensive product information to be connected to your tags. This data can then be dynamcially passed to your existing website for display if required. 

Getting started

Ixkio subscriptions can be purchased online at ixkio.com or contact us for more information.