When it comes to RFID and barcode labels most people focus on the tag, chip, or printing quality. But one small thing that plays a key role is the adhesive (the sticky layer behind the label). If the adhesive is not right, your label can fall off, stop working properly, or even get damaged.
In this blog let’s understand what popular adhesives are when it comes to designing RFID and Barcode labels.
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What is Adhesive in Labels?
Label Adhesive are simply the sticky layer behind a label that helps it stick to different surfaces when it is pressed, just like a normal sticker. These adhesives are commonly made up of two types of materials Acrylic based adhesive and Rubber based adhesive. These adhesives are prepared for particular needs, classified as permanent, removable, or adjustable.
Role of Adhesive in RFID & Barcode Systems
Adhesives are the “engine” behind RFID and barcode label performance, serving as more than just a sticky backing. RFID labels and barcodes labels are multilayer constructions consisting of:
1.Face stock (paper / PET / PP): The top layer where printing (barcode, text or graphics) is done.
2. RFID inlay (chip + antenna): The core component that stores and transmit data.
3. Adhesive layer: The bonding layer that attaches a layer to a surface.
4. Release liner: The backing layer that protects the adhesive before use.
The adhesive is critical because it:
1. Ensures long-term attachment across substrates
2. Maintains RF transparency (no interference with antenna)
3. Withstands environmental stress (temperature, chemicals, moisture)
RFID adhesive tags rely on this layer to “firmly adhere for long-term stable identification and tracking.”
In RFID applications, besidessticking thetag to the surface, the adhesive plays a significant role in keeping the RFID inlay’s position, stability, and performance. If the adhesive fails, the tag can be out of place, not adhere to the surface, or fail to work properly causing the tracking to be inaccurate. This is why this layer of adhesive tags used in RFID is critical for lasting adherence to surfaces and providing stable identification and tracking of the item throughout its lifecycle.
Popular Adhesive Types Used in RFID & Barcode Labels
The major adhesive types used in RFID and barcode labels are primarily acrylic-based and rubber-based pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs), with unique options such as epoxies and heat-activated adhesives.
The adhesive choice for labels depends on the needed durability, surface type, and environmental surroundings like temperature resistance.
1.Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives (PSA) - Industry Standard
Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) is the most commonly used adhesive in RFID and barcode labels. It is a type of glue that sticks when you press it lightly, just like a normal sticker. It does not need heat, water, or any chemical to activate.
Adhesive Mechanism
1.Non-reactive viscoelastic polymers
2. Bond formed by light pressure (no heat/solvent required)
Composition
Base polymer:
1. Acrylic (most common)
2. Rubber (SBC- styrene block copolymer)
Additives:
1.Tackifiers (rosin esters, hydrocarbon resins)
2. Plasticizers, stabilizers
Bonding Properties
1.Peel strength: 5–25 N/25 mm (typical industrial range)
2. Shear strength: Moderate to high
3. Immediate tack (“quick stick”)
Label/Tag Suitability
Ideal for:
1.Barcode labels
2. RFID smart labels
3. Logistics and retail tagging
Why PSA is a Popular Choice in Adhesives for RFID-Barcode Labels?
Pressure Sensitive Adhesives are known for their instant adhesion enabling high-speed label application lines. Here’s why this adhesive is a popular choice for RFID and barcoding applications:
1.Easy to use as it does not require heat, water, or curing time
2. Works well on wide range of surfaces like plastic, metal, and paper
3. Cost-effective solution for large-scale labelling applications
4. Reliable performance available for both short-term and long-term use
2. Acrylic Adhesives (Subset of PSA - Premium Segment)
Acrylic-based adhesive is exceptionally strong, weather-resistant, and versatile for use in most applicationsas self-adhesive tape. Acrylic adhesive will bond well to metal and glass surfaces and maintain their bond strength when subjected to heat, UV, or any other type of extreme conditions.
Chemical Nature
1. Based on acrylate polymers (e.g., 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, methyl acrylate)
2. Often crosslinked for durability
Key Properties
Excellent:
1.UV resistance
2. Oxidation resistance
3. Chemical resistance
4. Long service life (5–10 years typical)
Acrylic adhesives show strong resistance to solvents, acids, and lab chemicals, making them ideal for demanding RFID applications.
Performance Metrics
-High shear strength (long-term holding)
-Medium initial tack (can be engineered higher)
-Service temperature:
-−40°C to +150°C (depending on formulation)
Best Use Cases
RFID labels in:
1.Healthcare (sample tracking)
2. Outdoor asset tracking
3. Automotive and industrial environments
This adhesive is widely used in 3M RFID systems (e.g., acrylic foam PSA) with durability up to 5–10 years.
3. Rubber-Based Adhesives (SBC / Hot PSA)
Pressure-sensitive adhesives are a form of rubber adhesive. They are made from synthetic rubbers such as those produced by using an SBC (styrene block copolymer). These types of adhesives immediatelyadhere to surfaces with light pressure, much like a permanent adhesive or a very strong sticker.
Composition
1.Styrene block copolymers (SBS, SIS)
2. High loading of tackifier resins (up to ~40%)
3. Plasticizers or oils to improve flexibility and softness
4. Antioxidants to slow down degradation and improve shelf life
Key Properties of Pressure-based Adhesives
1.Very high initial tack
2. Good adhesion to low-energy surfaces (PE, PP)
3. Poor UV and aging resistance
4. Performs well in quick bonding applications (fast grab)
5. Limited performance in high-temperature environments
Performance
1. Excellent peel strength
2. Lower long-term shear stability vs acrylic
Best Applications
1.Short-life barcode labels
2. Packaging, logistics
3. Temporary RFID tagging
4. Hot Melt Adhesives (HMA)
Hot Melt Adhesives are the type of adhesive that is applied in a heated (liquid) form and becomes solid as it cools down. Simply it is like a melted glue that is applied hot, and when it cools it sticks the label firmly to the surface.
Technical Description
1.Thermoplastic adhesives applied molten (~150–180°C)
2. Solidify within seconds
Composition
Polymers:
1.EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate)
2. Polyolefins
3. Polyesters
Additives:
1.Waxes
2. Tackifiers
3. Antioxidants
Example industrial RFID adhesive:
1.SBC-based hot melt
2. Softening point: ~115°C
3. Viscosity: 8,000–25,000 cps
4. Service range: −10°C to 60°C
Bonding Characteristics
1.Fast setting (“hot tack”)
2. Shear strength >100 psi in some industrial systems
Best Use Cases of Hot Melt Adhesives
1.High-speed RFID label production
2. Logistics and shipping labels
3. Corrugated and packaging substrates
5. Epoxy & Conductive Adhesives (RFID Inlay Assembly)
Epoxy & Conductive Adhesives (RFID Inlay Assembly) are special kind of adhesives used inside RFID tags, not for sticking labels onto surfaces. These adhesives are used to connected the RFID chip to the antenna, so that the tag can work properly.
Function
1.Used inside RFID tag construction, not for surface bonding.
2. Provides electrical conductivity for signal transmission (in conductive adhesives)
3. Ensures proper alignment of chip and antenna for accurate performance
4. Maintains strong mechanical stability under heat and stress
Types of Epoxy and Conductive Adhesives
1.Epoxy adhesives: Provide strong mechanical bonding to securely fix the RFID chip to the antenna.
2. Silver-filled conductive adhesives: Enable electrical conductivity using silver particles for signal transfer.
3. Anisotropic conductive adhesives (ACA): Enable electrical flow in one direction while maintaining insulation in others.
Role of Epoxy and Conductive Adhesives
1.Bond chip to antenna (flip-chip bonding)
2. Provide electrical conductivity + mechanical stability
3. Ensure accurate signal transmission between chip and antenna
4. Improve durability and resistance to heat and mechanical stress
Key Properties
1. High shear strength
2. Electrical conductivity (if filled)
3. Thermal stability
6. Heat-Activated Adhesives
Heat-activated adhesives are a type of adhesive that only starts sticking when heat and pressure are applied. It is like a glue that does not stick at room temperature, but when you heat it, it becomes active and bonds strongly. It requires heat + pressure to activate bond.
Properties of Heat-Activated Adhesives
1.Strong, durable bonding
2. Excellent for textiles and harsh environments
3. High resistance to washing, wear, and mechanical stress
4. Good performance under high temperatures and repeated use
Use Cases of Heat-Activated Adhesives
RFID tags on:
1.Garments
2. Automotive interiors
3. Industrial fabrics
Adhesive Selection by Surface Type
The choice of adhesive should be done prior to the attaching of the label depending on the surface to be covered. The properties of different materials are not the same and therefore the correct adhesive choice can guarantee a stronger bond and performance in the long run. The following table gives a simple instruction on the choice of adhesives depending on the type of a surface.
|
Surface Type
|
Recommended Adhesive
|
Technical Reason
|
|
Paper / Cardboard
|
Rubber PSA / Hot melt
|
High initial tack, porous bonding
|
|
Plastics (PE, PP)
|
Rubber PSA or modified acrylic
|
Low surface energy compatibility
|
|
Metals
|
Acrylic PSA (foam or transfer)
|
High shear + durability
|
|
Glass
|
Acrylic PSA
|
Strong polar interaction
|
|
Textiles
|
Heat-activated / polyurethane
|
Flexibility + wash resistance
|
|
Painted surfaces
|
Acrylic PSA
|
Chemical & UV stability
|
|
Property
|
Acrylic PSA
|
Rubber PSA
|
Hot Melt
|
Epoxy
|
|
Initial Tack
|
Medium
|
High
|
Very high
|
Low
|
|
Shear Strength
|
High
|
Medium
|
Medium
|
Very high
|
|
Temperature Resistance
|
Excellent
|
Poor–moderate
|
Moderate
|
Excellent
|
|
Chemical Resistance
|
Excellent
|
Poor
|
Moderate
|
Excellent
|
|
Outdoor Durability
|
5–10 yrs.
|
Short-term
|
Moderate
|
Long-term
|
|
RFID Compatibility
|
Excellent
|
Good
|
Good
|
Internal use
|
Adhesives in Hard Tags vs Labels
RFID systems come in various adhesives that are applied in various types of tags or labels. Although barcodes and RFID labels should be mounted using flexible and quick to apply adhesives, hard tags should be bonded using stronger and durable adhesives. This difference is valuable in the selection of adhesive to be used in certain processes.
RFID / Barcode Labels
1.PSA (acrylic or rubber)
2. Thin adhesive layer (~20- 40 µm)
3. Focus: printability + flexibility + high-speed application
RFID Hard Tags
1.Acrylic foam tapes (e.g., 3M VHB-type)
2. Epoxies or structural adhesives
Requirements:
1. High shear strength
2. Shock/vibration resistance
3. Outdoor durability
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Key Industry Insight
The choice of adhesive is significantly larger than merely pasting the label to a medium. It has a direct impact on the overall performance and efficiency of RFID and barcode systems in the real-world application.
Adhesive choice is not just about bonding; it directly impacts:
1.RFID read range (via dielectric properties)
2. Tag reliability
3. Lifecycle cost
Companies like 3M and Zebra design application-specific adhesive systems as part of complete RFID solutions.
The selection of an adhesive for a RFID and barcode labels is a critical step as it is just as important as selecting your label. The right adhesive will ensure strong sticking, label durability, label can be scanned and tracked accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions
● Which adhesives works best for labelling plastic bins and warehouse containers?
High-tack adhesives, PSA, Acrylic-based adhesives,hot melt adhesives, etc. are best for plastic surfaces as it ensures strong bonding.
● Why do RFID labels peel off in warehouses?
RFID barcode labels usually due to wrong adhesive selection, dusty surfaces, or improper application.
● What adhesive should I use for cold storage or freezer environments?
Freezer-grade hot melt adhesives, rubber-based adhesives, or toughened epoxies/polyurethanes (PUR) is required to maintain grip in low-temperature conditions, as used in cold storage or freezer environments.
● How can I stop RFID labels from falling during transport?
Use permanent or all-weather adhesives and apply labels on clean, dry surfaces.
● Can RFID labels be reused after removal?
Only labels with removable adhesive can be reused without damage or residue.
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