Laundry businesses & textile sectors tend to deal with a huge quantity of goods. Due to the pure demand and manufacturing speed, a single establishment can hold anywhere from thousands to millions of items at a time. This introduces very big problems like asset tracking & inventory management. The sheer manual labour required to keep a record of millions of items can incur a huge cost to your business.
This is why, many such businesses have turned to automate the whole process with the implementation of RFID. So, let’s talk more about it then.
What is RFID?
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a system of wireless communication using radio signals in specific frequency ranges. The application of this system requires an RFID tag and an RFID reader. These two components communicate data to each other via signals and can be used for a variety of applications.
How Does RFID Technology Work?
As discussed above, RFID uses radio frequencies in three separate ranges: Low-Frequency, High Frequency and Ultra-High Frequency. These systems work by broadcasting & receiving signals between the tags & readers. An RFID tag consists of a casing/covering, inside which is a microchip connected to an inlay (antenna & transponder). The RFID tag can hold a small amount of data in the chip. On the other end of this system is the RFID reader. These readers have antennas that are capable of transmitting radio signals & create an electromagnetic field around them.
When a tag enters this field, it will broadcast a signal of its own using its internal power supply (if it’s an active tag) or the energy from the reader’s signal (if it’s a passive tag).
Learn more About the Types of RFID Tags: Active & Passive Tags
Applications of RF ID for Laundry & Textile
The primary RFID applications in the textile & laundry industry are to keep track of expensive clothing items. With the help of RFID, laundries can know the location of all the items, along every step of the process. This promotes efficient working and reduces the risk of item loss. In addition to that, RFID also makes it easier to record which item belongs to which client.
In the textile sector, the use of RFID technology becomes even more beneficial. In factories or warehouses used to store textiles, it gets very hard to keep track of every item. This not only creates a problem for inventory management but increases the chances of stock shrinkage. For example, it used to take Uniqlo 6-12 months to design, make, and deliver clothes, often missing out on trends and leaving stores with outdated stock. But in 2017, Uniqlo found a clever solution: small electronic chips called RFID tags! These tags are like invisible barcodes that send information wirelessly. Uniqlo put them in all their clothes and linked them to a computer system. Now, Uniqlo can see exactly what's selling in each store, every day! This helps them predict what people want and make clothes faster, just like magic! With the implementation of RFID, you can automate the inventory management system along with asset tracking.
What are the Benefits of using RFID Technology in the Laundry and Textile Industry?
One of the major benefits of implementing RFID into any business is having access to real-time tracking. This unique feature of RFID allows you to minimize inventory losses in your business. Aside from that, putting an RFID tag on an item makes it very difficult for someone to steal it.
RFID technology also automates inventory management and alerts you whenever you need to replenish the stock of any item in your inventory. For example, in laundries, RFID systems will alert you that you need to buy cleaning supplies like detergent, Baking Soda, Disinfectant, Fabric Softeners, etc.
Implementing an RFID system gives you a deeper and real-time insight into the day-to-day working of your business.
Types of RFID Tags Used with Laundry
Laundries & textile sectors generally rely on passive RFID tags, unless the item is of very high value. For example, fashion brands may use an active RFID tag on an expensive designer garment by a famous designer. However, in most cases, they will use passive tags due to their low cost.
sectors depends on the method they use for mounting. RFID manufacturers design tags that can use a variety of mounting methods.
- Sewn On RFID tags can be sewn on the fabric on the inside or along the poc
- Heat Sealed tags, usually come inside a plastic covering, then you can use a heat sealer to seal the covering with the tag inside it. These can be particularly useful, as they make the tag waterproof.
- Button Tag, these tags come in the shape of a button & can be sewn on in place of one. This makes the tag multi-purposed. It is useful for high-end or rental clothing.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1. What is the use of RFID in textile industry?
Ans: Much like in any other sector, RFID in the textile industry is used for asset tracking, inventory management, supply chain management & item security.
Q2. Are RFID tags washable?
Ans: Not all RFID tags are washable. Due to their flexible application, manufacturers produce a variety of RFID tag types. Depending on the scenario they are going to be used in, tags can have a temporary lifespan, covering resistant to damage, suitable for use in hot temperatures, etc. So, yes, in environments with a high chance of water exposure, we use special waterproof/washable tags.
Q3. What RFID tag are used for clothes?
Ans: Depending on the type of clothes, their value and other such factors, companies can choose from a variety of tags. However, most businesses use passive RFID tags, instead of active ones. An RFID tag used on clothes will most probably be washable and have a shorter lifespan.
Q4. What are the different types of RFID tags?
Ans: In the present day, RFID technology has found vast applications in industries. That’s why manufacturers have introduced many different types of RFID tags in the market. However, there are two basic factors based on which you can classify tags:
Frequency Range – RFID systems communicate by broadcasting information through radio signals. These systems operate in three radio frequency ranges – low frequency, high frequency & ultra-high frequency.
Individual Power Supply – An RFID tag works by broadcasting a signal back to the reader to send the data inside the RFID chip. RFID tags can either use the energy from the reader’s signal or use an integrated power supply to broadcast this signal. Based on this, they are termed either active tags or passive tags.
Q5. Which fashion companies use RFID?
Ans: RFID is widely accepted in the clothing industry at this time. Many fashion brands utilize this technology for asset tracking & inventory management. Some of them are – Uniqlo, Burberry, Zara, H&M, Prada, Van Heusen, etc.
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