Zebra Technologies Corporation RFID-Z4M-01 Benutzerhandbuch

Types of Media

R4Mplus User Guide 

17

“Smart” labels are usually made from two components: media and an embedded RFID 
transponder (

Figure 11

). For more information about reading and encoding RFID tags, see 

RFID Guidelines on page 69

.

• The media (usually a label with a UHF transponder embedded between the label and liner) 

is usually comprised of synthetic- or paper-based material that can be printed upon using 
direct thermal or thermal transfer printing techniques. The media is typically made from 
the same materials and adhesives that a non-RFID barcode printer would use.

• The UHF transponder, which is sometimes called the RFID tag, is usually comprised of an 

antenna that is bonded to an integrated circuit (IC) chip. If you hold a “smart” label up to 
the light, you can see the transponder’s antenna embedded within the label, and you can 
feel a bump in the label where the IC chip is located.

The IC chip contains the RF circuit, coders, decoders, and memory. At a minimum, 
“smart” labels have memory that can be read, while the vast majority also have memory 
that can be encoded by the user as well. For more information about encoding “smart” 
labels, see 

ZPL II Commands for RFID on page 71

.

1

Liner

2

Label

3

Location of embedded transponder

4

Outline of transponder antenna 
(shape varies by manufacturer)

(label profile)

1

2

3

4