RFID laundry tags
A laundry tag is an RFID tag in a durable casing that is sewn into textiles or heat-sealed onto fabric. It goes through the entire laundry process with them: washing, drying, ironing and, for some models, sterilisation. It lets an industrial laundry, hotel or hospital automatically count and track every item of workwear, linen and towels.
Below we compare all our laundry tags and explain how to choose the right model for your process.
Laundry tag comparison
| Model | Technology | Dimensions | Read range | Service life | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TagTrack 7015 | UHF | 70 × 15 × 1.5 mm | 7 m | > 250 wash cycles | heat sealing or sewing |
| TagTrack UHF18 | UHF | Ø 18 mm × 2.8 mm | > 1.5 m | 200 wash cycles or 2 years from dispatch | sewing-in or stitching |
| TagTrack UHF25 | UHF | Ø 25 mm × 2.6 mm | > 5 m | 200 wash cycles or 2 years from dispatch | sewing-in or stitching |
| TagTrack HF15 | HF | Ø 15 mm × 2.8 mm | up to 4 cm | 200 wash cycles or 2 years | sewing-in or stitching |
Data from datasheets. Read range depends on the reader, antenna and environment.
How to choose a laundry tag?
UHF or HF?
UHF tags are read in bulk from several metres away - the reader counts an entire trolley or bag of textiles at once. This is the standard in industrial laundries and anywhere speed matters at high volumes.
HF tags are read one at a time, at close range. They suit single-item identification at a workstation, where reading neighbouring tags would be unwanted.
Strip or button?
TagTrack 7015 is a flat strip (70 × 15 × 1.5 mm, 0.6 g) that can be heat-sealed onto fabric or sewn on. Button-style tags (UHF18, UHF25, HF15) have a rigid PPS casing and are sewn into textiles. A smaller button is easier to hide; a larger one has a longer read range.
Which model for what?
- TagTrack 7015 - the longest service life (over 250 wash cycles) and a read range of up to 7 m; it withstands sterilisation, so it also suits medical textiles.
- TagTrack UHF25 - a button with a read range of over 5 m, when you need bulk reading from a greater distance.
- TagTrack UHF18 - the smallest UHF button (Ø 18 mm) for garments and smaller textiles.
- TagTrack HF15 - close-range single-item reading (up to 4 cm) in HF systems.
Resistance in the laundry process
According to its datasheet, TagTrack 7015 withstands washing at +90°C, drying at +180°C, ironing at +200°C, sterilisation at +135°C and pressure of up to 60 bar, e.g. in a dewatering press.
Button-style tags have a casing made of polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) and high-temperature epoxy resin, resistant to water, high temperatures, pressure and the chemicals used in industrial laundries.
Compatibility and certificates
UHF tags operate in the EPC Class 1 Gen 2 / ISO 18000-6C standard, and the HF tag in ISO 15693. These are open standards supported by most RFID readers and laundry systems. Before you buy, we help verify compatibility with your system.
TagTrack 7015 holds OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Class I, REACH, RoHS, EECC and MRI Conditional certificates; button-style tags hold CE and RoHS.
Laundry tag questions
Which laundry tag should I choose for an industrial laundry?
Most industrial laundries use UHF tags, because they let you count an entire trolley of textiles at once. If you need the longest service life and resistance to sterilisation, choose TagTrack 7015. If you need a button-style tag - UHF25 (longer range) or UHF18 (smaller size). The most reliable way to decide is to test samples in your own process.
Will a laundry tag survive sterilisation?
TagTrack 7015 will - according to its datasheet it withstands autoclave sterilisation (+134°C, 10 minutes, 3.25 bar). For button-style tags, tell us the conditions of your process and we will check whether the model is suitable.
How long does a laundry tag last?
TagTrack 7015 withstands over 250 industrial wash cycles. Button-style tags (UHF18, UHF25, HF15) are rated for 200 wash cycles or 2 years, and the data in their memory is retained for 20 years.
How is a laundry tag attached?
TagTrack 7015 can be heat-sealed onto fabric (+204°C, 12 s) or sewn on. Button-style tags are sewn into textiles. They are usually placed in seams, hems or other hidden spots where they do not get in the way.
How much does a laundry tag cost?
The price depends on the model, quantity and any personalisation, such as laser marking. We do not publish a price list - we prepare a quote for each order. Get in touch and we will also send samples for testing.
Test laundry tags in your own process
We will send samples so you can check reading and durability in your process before ordering.