In the textile industry, efficient management of web inventory, tracking of logistics information and optimization of supply chain processes have always been the focus of companies. The traditional bar code or manual recording method has been difficult to meet the modern industry on the demand for precision, automation. To this end, ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID light-up light-emitting tags came into being, which not only has the ability to identify the long-distance range, but also through the light function to achieve visual positioning, for the textile coil management to bring about a revolutionary change.
1. what is a light-emitting RFID tags
Light-emitting RFID tag is a combination of RFID technology and light-emitting function of the smart tag, usually built-in LED or other light-emitting components. These tags not only transmit data via radio waves, but also glow when activated by the RFID reader, providing a visual cue. There are two main types of light-emitting RFID tags: active light-emitting tags and passive light-emitting tags.
1.1 Active light-emitting RFID tags
Active light-emitting RFID tags have a built-in battery that can actively send signals to the reader without relying on external energy activation. This type of tag usually has a longer reading distance (tens of meters to hundreds of meters), suitable for the need for long-distance reading or in a specific environment to quickly locate items in the scene. Benefits of active light-emitting tags include:
- Long-distance reading: supports longer communication range (usually 50-100 meters).
- Active communication: Stable signal, not limited by the energy of the reader.
- Visual Aid: The luminescent feature is particularly well suited to complex environments and facilitates rapid localization.
- Large storage capacity: able to save more data, such as device number, status information, etc.
- Bi-directional communication: Supports complex operation commands and high functionality scalability.
1.2 How to use
- Mounting the tag
Fix the tag on the target item. Attention should be paid to the reading angle and position of the tag when installing to optimize the reading effect. - Reader Configuration
Configure RFID reader compatible with active tags. The reader should support long-distance communication and activation commands for the light-emitting function. - Activate the tag light-emitting
Use the management software or reader to activate the light-emitting function of the target tag through specific instructions.
After the tags are illuminated, they can be quickly located by the naked eye. - Data reading
The reader can receive the data sent by the tag and at the same time write or update the information in the tag as needed. - Maintenance and Battery Replacement
Regularly check the status of the tag battery. When the power is low, replace the battery in time to ensure normal operation.
2. Typical application scenarios
2.1 Large-scale warehousing and logistics management
Used to quickly find specific goods, especially in stacked or dense storage scenarios.
In logistics transportation, to locate and track high-value goods.
2.2 Vehicle Management
For identification and location of vehicles in parking lots, ports and other scenarios.
2.3 Industrial Equipment Tracking
Mark key equipment or tools in factories for easy maintenance and location.
2.4 Dangerous Goods Management
Mark and track dangerous goods or chemicals for quick response to emergency situations.
2.6 Personnel Location
For personnel safety positioning in mines, construction sites or other special environments.
2.7 Medical Field
Mark and track important medical equipment or specimens.
Advantages
- Long distance reading: supports longer communication range (usually 50-100 meters).
- Active communication: no need to rely on the reader to provide energy, stable signal.
- Visual Aid: Luminescence provides an additional means of localization, particularly suited to complex scenarios.
- Flexible application: Supports bidirectional communication and high functionality scalability.
Cautions
- Battery life
The battery life of the tag is affected by the frequency of use and requires regular maintenance and replacement.
In high-frequency light-emitting scenarios, battery consumption is faster.
- Signal Interference
Communication quality may be affected in metal-dense areas or other signal interference environments.
- Higher cost
Active illuminated tags are more costly than passive tags for specific high-value scenarios.
- Environmental Adaptability
Tags need to be waterproof, dustproof and shockproof to adapt to harsh environments.
3. Passive light-emitting RFID tags
Passive light-emitting RFID tags do not require built-in batteries, relying on the energy of the RFID reader to work. This kind of tag is usually used for proximity reading and marking, suitable for the cost and battery life have special requirements of the scene. The advantages of passive light-emitting RFID tags include:
- Battery-free design: lower cost and environmentally friendly.
- Wide range of applications: Suitable for a variety of environments and application scenarios.
- Quick find: through the luminous function to quickly locate the target object
4. RFID light-emitting tag features
- The label through the radio wave energy to light up the LED lights, no batteries, maintenance-free, long service life.
- The realization of single product positioning, with a quick find function, when the need to be located, just select the label’s EPC number, the label on the LED lights will be issued flashing, can be more intuitive identification of the items being managed.
- can identify the label and light up the LED from a distance, easy to find things to find.
- The label supports printing, printing, writing code.
5.RFID light-emitting tag application direction
RFID light-emitting tags have a wide range of applications, in other tags may not apply to the situation, such as deep storage space or obstacles to the environment, RFID light-emitting tags can accurately locate the required items and quickly find it, improve work efficiency.
5.1 Book/file management
Book file management can use RFID automatic identification technology to identify the book file label, can be RFID light-emitting tags to quickly find the book file, to achieve the book file the whole process of tracking and management. When you need to find a book file, just select the EPC number of the tag on the book file, when receiving the signal from the reader, the LED light on the tag will emit flashing, and quickly find the desired book file.
5.2 Cable Management
Cable management is the use of RFID technology on the server room cable, fiber optic cable management, through the RFID handheld identification of light-emitting cable tags to solve the problem of finding cables, improve the efficiency of faulty cable repair and daily inspection efficiency, to protect the stable work of the server room.
5.3 Shelf goods picking
Shelf goods picking is simply the search for goods on the shelves, through the use of RFID handheld quickly light up the shelves or goods installed on the RFID light-emitting tags, through the LED lights to quickly locate the product location to guide the picking staff correctly, quickly and easily complete the picking search for goods to solve the warehouse picking is slow, inefficient, the error rate of the higher problems and improve the efficiency of picking.
6.RFID light-up tags in textile web management
Textile rolls are usually wound on cardboard or plastic tubes, and traditional tags are easily worn or detached, resulting in information loss. The UHF RFID light-up tags can be fixed directly on the core of the tube of the coil, with the following advantages:
6.1 Reusable and flexible replacement
RFID tags can be easily disassembled and reinstalled on another coil, while supporting dynamic data update, to adapt to different batches or specifications of coil management needs.
6.2 Long-range batch reading, improve efficiency
UHF RFID reading distance up to several meters to more than a dozen meters, no need to scan in close proximity, workers can be handheld terminals or fixed readers to quickly inventory, significantly reducing manual operation time.
6.3 Illuminated prompts, fast positioning
In the warehouse or production workshop, through the system command triggered by the RFID tag LED light flashing function, workers can quickly locate the target coil, reduce the search time, improve operational efficiency.
6.4 Strong environmental resistance, adapted to industrial scenarios
Adopting industrial-grade packaging, it is dustproof, moisture-proof and vibration-resistant, and can work stably even in the high dust environment of textile factories.
7. Conclusion
With the advancement of Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing, RFID light-up illuminated tags will play a greater role in textile, logistics, retail and other fields. Combined with the Internet of Things (IoT) technology, enterprises can achieve real-time data collection and analysis, optimize inventory management, reduce operating costs, and move towards a smarter production model.
RFID light-emitting tags are powerful and highly practical to help users quickly find items, RFID light-emitting tags in addition to self-adhesive labels used for books and files, cables, and PCB light-emitting labels used on shelves.
RFID light-emitting tags are for the realization of a single product positioning, rapid search function of the UHF electronic tags, tags attached to the LED lights, when the label needs to be located by selecting the label’s EPC number, the label on the LED lights will emit a blinking, you can intuitively identify the items to be managed to make inventory counts, goods to find and other processes become easier.
RFID light-up tags are used so that they can be quickly located and found in the management of warehouse shelves, books/files, switch cabinets or wiring harnesses in the machine room, picking production line materials and other items needed. The introduction of UHF RFID light-up tags provides an efficient, flexible and visual solution for textile web management. Its reusable, long-distance identification and luminous positioning characteristics make it an important tool for the intelligent upgrading of the modern textile industry. In the future, with the continuous progress of technology, RFID application scenarios will be further expanded to help enterprises realize digital transformation.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
8.1 What are UHF RFID light-up tags, and how do they work?
UHF (Ultra-High Frequency) RFID light-up tags combine RFID technology with LED indicators. They store data wirelessly and can be scanned from several meters away. When activated by an RFID reader, the LED lights up, making it easy to visually locate tagged textile coils in warehouses.
8.2 Why use RFID light-up tags instead of barcodes for textile coils?
Unlike barcodes, UHF RFID tags:
- Can be read without line-of-sight (even if hidden or stacked).
- Support batch scanning (dozens of tags at once).
- Are reusable (data can be rewritten, tags can be moved to new coils).
- Feature LED indicators for quick visual identification.
8.3 Can these RFID tags be reused on different textile coils?
Yes! The tags are designed for easy removal and reattachment. Their data can be updated via an RFID reader, allowing seamless reuse across different rolls or batches.
8.4 How far can these RFID tags be detected?
Depending on the environment and reader power, UHF RFID tags typically have a read range of 3–10 meters, making them ideal for large warehouses.
8.5 Will the LED lights drain the tag’s battery quickly?
No. These tags use low-power LEDs and only activate when scanned, ensuring long battery life (typically 3–5 years under normal usage).
8.6 Are these tags durable enough for industrial textile environments?
Yes! They are built with industrial-grade materials, offering resistance to dust, moisture, and minor impacts—perfect for textile factories and warehouses.
8.7 Can these tags integrate with existing inventory management systems?
Absolutely. UHF RFID systems support ERP/WMS integration, enabling real-time tracking, automated stock updates, and improved supply chain visibility.
8.8 What’s the cost difference between RFID tags and traditional labeling methods?
While RFID tags have a higher upfront cost, they reduce labor costs, minimize errors, and improve efficiency, offering a strong long-term ROI compared to manual barcode scanning.