An RFID printer is a printer that createsRFID printing smart labels．这些标签使用无线电频率技术transmit information through user systems. These printers add specific digital functionality to images by embedding RFID printing labels into different types of print formats.

In many cases, RFID printers apply RFID printing technology to barcodes so that, as a result, while moving through a shipping or manufacturing process, either an RFID reader or a barcode reader can interpret the results.

Conventional RFID printers use an RFID head to print, using thermal transfer technology. These printers print tags for interpretation through radio wave technologies. An RFID tag includes an integrated circuit and antenna. Smart labels are made of adhesive material with an RFID tag inlay.

Smart label printer/encoders use media that contain an RFID inlay (chip and aluminum, copper or silver antenna bonded to a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layer embedded within the label material. The inlay ships to the label manufacturer without adhesive (“dry”), or attached to a pressure- sensitive liner (“wet”). “Converted label” processes embed the RFID inlay into a self-adhesive paper label. An RFID encoder inside the printer writes pre-determined data to the RFID tag using radio frequency (RF) transmission. Next, the printer prints barcodes, text and graphics using the standard thermal printing process.

When choosing an RFID printer for RFID printing, there are many factors to consider. The type of label to be printed may impact the selection. For example, certain printers can only print a label of a specific minimum or maximum width. In addition, the print resolution, which is often represented in dpi (dots per inch) may be another factor to evaluate. Lastly, the size of the printer may also help guide the selection.