Excellent label development in our in‑house laboratory
Standard labels are, of course, part of inotec’s product portfolio – complemented by a wide range of custom labelling solutions. inotec combines reliable product quality with innovative technologies and a strong service mindset.
Our in‑house quality assurance and product development teams test every label using standardised methods for barcode and RFID applications. In a dedicated specialist department, labels are continuously improved and tested under real‑world conditions for durability, readability, and overall performance.
RFID Antenna Development
RFID Technology Tailored to Every Application
Thanks to its extensive RFID expertise, inotec offers not only custom label development but also in‑house RFID antenna development. At the RFID Innovation Center, RFID inlays and antenna designs are developed to perfectly match each specific application.
The focus is always on the entire system environment – not just the label itself. Factors such as surface materials, installation conditions, reading ranges, and the existing infrastructure are all taken into account. The goal is clear: the best possible result. This means a powerful, stable, and perfectly tailored RFID solution designed to meet individual requirements.
Antenna development is closely connected to real‑world testing and validation. New antenna concepts are tested under realistic conditions at the RFID Innovation Center and continuously optimised to ensure reliable reading performance, even in demanding applications. These development processes are supported by standardised measurement and testing procedures in accordance with ISO standards.
This ensures that all RFID inlays and labels not only meet relevant standards but also deliver long‑term reliability and high process security.
The result is durable, precise, and high‑performance RFID identification solutions that can be flexibly adapted to different industries, use cases, and technological requirements – from standard applications to complex, custom‑engineered RFID systems.
Label-Competence-Center
Custom product development to the highest quality standards
The inotec Label Competence Center (LCC) is the heart of inotec’s quality assurance. Originally founded as an internal testing lab, it has evolved over the past 25 years into a specialised unit for comprehensive and in‑depth material and product analysis. A team of experienced lab technicians carries out both standardised and customer‑specific tests with precision, control, and clearly defined quality criteria.
Today, the LCC does far more than ensure consistently high quality. It is a key driver of product development. Labels are regularly tested, optimised, and further developed in terms of durability, adhesive strength, and flexibility. At the same time, the LCC creates custom labelling solutions that are precisely tailored to individual customer requirements.
Because many test procedures – such as determining optimal adhesive curing times – take several weeks, multiple analyses are always running in parallel at the LCC. This ensures that innovation, quality, and real‑world usability continuously go hand in hand.
RFID-Competence-Center
Real‑world testing and confident decisions powered by state‑of‑the‑art measurement technology
At inotec’s RFID Competence Center, real‑world application scenarios are simulated and evaluated under practical conditions right from the early stages of a project. Using state‑of‑the‑art, flexible measurement technologies, reliable insights into AutoID and RFID applications can be generated quickly and efficiently.
Almost any use case can be realistically recreated in our in‑house center – from proofs of concept and performance testing to integration with existing software and IT systems. This creates a solid basis for decision‑making, reduces project risks, and ensures a smooth transition from testing to implementation.
The result: cost‑efficient processes, transparent results, and a reliable foundation for future‑ready Industry 4.0 solutions.
Services
For an industrial‑grade RFID system solution, seamless interaction between all components is essential. Only when hardware, RFID antennas, and labels are perfectly aligned can stable read results and reliable system performance be achieved. inotec uses state‑of‑the‑art measurement technology and a specially designed test environment to evaluate RFID systems holistically and ensure flawless functionality under realistic conditions.
Through structured testing and measurement procedures, we analyse RFID performance across the entire application chain – from pre‑qualification of individual components to application‑specific evaluation in real operating environments. All results are transparently documented and provide a solid foundation for secure investment and implementation decisions.
A well‑defined implementation concept creates transparency early on and forms the basis for confident decision‑making in RFID projects. During the concept development phase, requirements, processes, and technical conditions are brought together in a structured way to define a realistic and implementation‑ready target architecture. This creates a clear understanding of functionalities, interfaces, and next steps right from the start of the project.
The concept serves as a binding foundation for planning, implementation, and budgeting. It reduces project risks, clarifies dependencies, and enables a reliable assessment of effort and investment – fully aligned with the individual requirements of each specific application.
Carrying out a feasibility test eliminates any remaining uncertainties and paves the way for a smooth and reliable system implementation.
- System preparation and software parameter configuration
- Temporary implementation of an Auto‑ID technology
- Connection to demo software for capturing tracking data
- Data capture tests under real‑world conditions
- Live system demonstration
The implementation specification provides a detailed and binding description of the planned system solution. All relevant technical and functional aspects are clearly defined, creating a transparent and implementation‑ready foundation for deployment. Structured implementation packages clarify scope, dependencies, and responsibilities, forming the basis for a successful project.
The implementation specification ensures that all system components are perfectly aligned and that the planned solution can be implemented efficiently, reliably, and with long‑term stability in mind.
Testing and Validation Procedures at a Glance
Standardised, practical and standards‑compliant stress tests
Consistent quality through rigorous testing
Consistent Quality Through Rigorous Testing
Continuous inspection of existing labels ensures that all products consistently deliver the high level of quality customers expect from inotec. As part of these ongoing tests, technical data sheets are regularly reviewed and updated. This creates maximum transparency and makes it easier for customers to select the right label solution for their specific requirements.
Development of Industry‑Optimised Labelling Solutions
One of the key strengths of the Label Competence Center (LCC) is its ability to tailor labels precisely to the demands of individual industries. Typical application environments – such as industrial production, logistics, or retail – are analysed in detail, and labelling solutions are developed to fully meet these conditions.
The result is labels that simplify workflows, stabilise processes, and deliver reliable long‑term performance, even under challenging conditions.
Custom Product Development Based on Specific Customer Requirements
When required, the LCC goes beyond industry‑focused development and creates fully customised solutions tailored to individual customer needs.
This includes, for example:
- Adhesive strength tests directly on customer materials
- High‑pressure wash tests under real‑world stress conditions
- Selection, combination, and validation of new materials
Based on these tests, labels are developed that are perfectly matched to the customer’s specific environment and expectations – from material composition to reliable performance in everyday use.
Testing Procedures in the Label Competence Center
Standardised testing procedures play a key role in quality assurance and product development. At the Label Competence Center (LCC), a wide range of these tests is carried out, including:
- High‑pressure wash test: Simulation of industrial wash lines in the food industry (e.g. labelling on food containers)
- WOM test: Weathering simulation for labels in accordance with ISO 4892‑2, Method A, Cycle 2
- ISO 18000‑6C query: Selection of a transponder suitable for the intended application
Additional tests performed at the LCC include:
- Abrasion test
- Chemical resistance testing
- Heat test
- IPA test (isopropyl alcohol test)
- Cold test
- Adhesive strength test based on DIN EN 1939
- Van Laar test geometry
- Alkaline solution test
- Material thickness measurement
- MEK test (methyl ethyl ketone test)
- Tape test
- Centrifugal test
- Barcode quality evaluation in accordance with ISO/IEC 15416:2016 and ISO/IEC 15417:2007
RFID Measurement Expertise as Part of Our Manufacturer Responsibility
At inotec comprehensive RFID measurement is an integral part of both product development and manufacturer responsibility. All RFID labels produced in‑house are technically analysed, measured, and designed in compliance with applicable standards right from the start. This ensures that RF performance, reliability, and regulatory requirements are taken into account early on and consistently met.
All measurement and testing activities are carried out in line with relevant standards, guidelines, and EU directives, with a strong focus on CE conformity for our RFID labelling solutions. The resulting measurements and evaluations form the basis for a well‑founded CE declaration of conformity, providing companies with a high level of legal certainty and compliance assurance.
RED Radio Testing and CE Conformity for RFID Labels
A key element of our testing activities is RED radio testing in accordance with EU Directive 2014/53/EU (Radio Equipment Directive). These radio measurements ensure that inotec RFID labels meet all regulatory requirements for CE marking while also delivering stable and reproducible RF performance. This creates a reliable and predictable basis for bringing our products to market safely.
Depending on the specific requirements, we use in‑house measurement and analysis methods, supplemented by qualified data from the supply chain or additional external testing for technical validation. inotec does not act as an independent testing laboratory – instead, we take full responsibility as the manufacturer to ensure the conformity of our own RFID products.
This integrated approach allows companies to receive CE‑compliant RFID labels directly from the manufacturer – technically sound, standards‑compliant, and fully documented, without the need for additional testing or coordination with external service providers.
