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An item containing text or a barcode is useful only in situations in which there is an uninterrupted line of sight between a printed item and the human or machine reader. When this condition is not met, radio frequency identification (RFID) can be used to replace or supplement a plain identification system. An RFID system uses very small transponders to broadcast identification data. Each item that needs identification has its own programmable transponder attached, and each broadcasts a different identification number. The numbers are read by a special radio transceiver called an "interrogator." A transponder does not broadcast its data continuously; instead, it waits until an interrogator broadcasts a request for identification. The transponder and interrogator exchange verification signals and then the transponder broadcasts its data to the interrogator.

The transponders are small enough that they can be included within the layers of a printed item. These items can be printed with text or barcodes that duplicate or add to the information that is encoded in the transponder. Such items are often called "smart labels," "tags," or "RFID cards."

Many printer manufacturers now produce RFID-capable printers that simultaneously print data onto an item and encode data into the item's transponder. You can design templates in BarTender to work with these printers by placing RFID objects on a template.

For more information about RFID properties, refer to Encoder Property Page.