You are here: Home / News / High-Quality Inlay Sheets & RFID/NFC Chip Types | Complete 2025 Guide

High-Quality Inlay Sheets & RFID/NFC Chip Types | Complete 2025 Guide

Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-11-17 Origin: Site

In 2025, the demand for contactless cards, smart tags, access control IDs, transportation cards, financial payment cards, and IoT devices continues skyrocketing. At the center of all these products lies a critical foundation:
the inlay sheet + RFID/NFC chip combination.

A high-quality inlay sheet ensures stable RF performance, high bonding strength, precise antenna alignment, and long service life of the final card. Meanwhile, choosing the right chip affects reading distance, security level, compatibility, encryption, and overall cost.

This TOP guide explains everything card manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors need to know:

Types of inlay sheets
Popular RFID/NFC chip types
Material structures & production methods
Choosing frequency bands (LF/HF/UHF)
Application scenarios
How to select inlays for different projects
Supplier recommendations

What Is an Inlay Sheet?

An Inlay Sheet is a semi-finished product used in card and label manufacturing. It contains the antenna + chip module, laminated between layers of PET, PVC, or other substrates.

Core Components of an Inlay Sheet

1. RFID/NFC Chip Module

The chip is the “brain” of the card — responsible for encryption, memory, and communication.

2. Antenna (Copper/Aluminum/Silver)

Different designs (coil, etched, printed) directly influence signal stability and reading distance.

3. Substrate Material

PET
PVC
PETG
Polycarbonate (PC)

Wallis-produced inlays commonly use high-strength PET for premium durability.

4. Adhesive & Prelam Structure

Used to ensure strong bonding during lamination at 125–150°C.

Frequency Types: LF, HF, and UHF

Selecting the correct frequency is essential for matching project requirements.

1. LF (Low Frequency – 125kHz)

Features: Stable, not affected by water or metal.
Uses: Access control, animal ID.

2. HF (High Frequency – 13.56MHz)

Most widely used for NFC cards, transportation tickets, membership cards, and e-passes.

3. UHF (860–960MHz)

Long-range identification up to 10m+.
Common in logistics, warehouse tracking, vehicle recognition, retail inventory.

7ef2910c-edab-4c42-9481-d6f0e9128e09

RFID/NFC Chip Type Comparison Table (2025 Updated)

Chip Model	Frequency	Memory Capacity	Security Level	Reading Distance	Typical Applications	Key Features
EM4100 / EM4200	LF 125kHz	64 bits (read-only)	Low	2–10 cm	Access control, basic ID	Low cost, stable performance
TK4100	LF 125kHz	64 bits (read-only)	Low	2–10 cm	Door access, attendance	EM4100-compatible, widely used
T5577	LF 125kHz	363 bits (rewritable)	Medium	2–10 cm	Hotel cards, access systems	Highly customizable, clone-compatible
MIFARE Classic 1K (S50)	HF 13.56MHz	1 KB	Medium	2–10 cm	Metro cards, memberships, gyms	Most widely used HF chip
MIFARE Classic 4K	HF 13.56MHz	4 KB	Medium	2–10 cm	Public transportation, municipal cards	Larger memory capacity
MIFARE Ultralight / EV1	HF 13.56MHz	48–128 bytes	Medium	2–10 cm	Ticketing, event passes	Cost-effective, anti-counterfeit
NXP NTAG213	HF 13.56MHz	144 bytes	Medium	2–10 cm	NFC product tags, anti-counterfeit	Smartphone-compatible, fast scan
NXP NTAG215	HF 13.56MHz	504 bytes	Medium	2–10 cm	Toys-to-life, branding	Larger memory, stable
NXP NTAG216	HF 13.56MHz	888 bytes	Medium	2–10 cm	Marketing NFC tags, authentication	Best NTAG memory size
MIFARE DESFire EV1/EV2/EV3	HF 13.56MHz	2–8 KB	High (AES encryption)	2–10 cm	Banking, transportation, secure identity	Enterprise-grade security
ICODE SLIX / SLIX2	HF 13.56MHz	1024 bits	Medium–High	2–10 cm	Libraries, retail logistics	Excellent reading sensitivity
Impinj Monza R6/R6P/R7	UHF 860–960MHz	96–128 bits EPC	Medium	Up to 10 meters	Warehouse, supply chain, retail	Very long-range reading
NXP UCODE 7 / 8 / 9	UHF 860–960MHz	96–128 bits EPC	Medium–High	Up to 10 meters	Inventory tracking, vehicle ID	Strong anti-interference

Applications of Inlay Sheets by Industry

1. Transportation & Ticketing

Metro cards
Bus cards
Airport access tickets

2. Access Control

Office cards
Hotel room cards
Parking systems

3. Financial & Banking

Dual-interface cards
E-payment cards

4. Retail & Logistics

Anti-theft tags
UHF warehouse labels
Product authentication tags

5. Smart IoT Devices

Wearable tags
NFC keyfobs
Interactive branding

Why Choose Wallis Inlay Sheets?

Wallis Core Advantages

✔ High-precision ultrasonic antenna bonding
✔ Perfect compatibility with NXP, EM, Impinj, Alien chips
✔ Durable PET/PC substrate
✔ 100% pass rate in RF stability test
✔ Supports OEM/ODM customization
✔ Full set of card production machines (lamination machines, punching machines, mag-strip applicators, overlays, etc.)

Customization Options

Chip selection
Antenna design
Sheet size (A4 / 2×5 / 3×8 layouts)
Prelam thickness
HF/LF/UHF integration

Conclusion

Choosing the right inlay sheet + chip combination determines the final performance of any RFID/NFC smart card. From LF to UHF, from NTAG to DESFire, selecting the correct solution ensures stability, security, and long-term durability.

Shanghai Wallis Technology provides premium inlay sheets, OEM services, and complete card manufacturing solutions, ensuring top performance for global customers.

5dd7aa15-63c0-4e16-aebd-8551ce5fe57c

FAQ

Q1: What is the most popular chip for NFC cards in 2025?

NTAG213 and DESFire EV3 are currently leading for NFC and secure applications.

Q2: Can I customize sheet layout?

Yes, Wallis supports A4, 2×5, 3×7, 3×8, and fully custom layouts.

Q3: What is the lifespan of a high-quality inlay sheet?

Typically 10 years under normal usage.

Q4: What is the difference between PET and PVC inlays?

PET is stronger and heat-resistant; PVC is standard and cost-effective.

Q5: Which chips support encryption?

DESFire EV1/EV2/EV3, MIFARE Plus, UCODE DNA, etc.