How to Choose NFC Chips for Your Metal Cards

NFC metal cards provide the perfect way to make a memorable impression each time. They are customisable by laser engraving and NFC chips, which come in different configurations to suit your specific requirements. The correct NFC chip will make your metal card more functional and practical with all NFC-equipped smartphones and tablets. There are different types of chips available, so it can get confusing to make an informed choice. Here’s a guide to help you with the selection.

Types of chips

You’ll find NFC chips developed by NXP Semiconductors known as NTAG213, NTAG215, and NTAG216 chips. Every option has slightly more memory and may cost slightly more than others. Here’s a quick rundown on what they are:

NTAG213 – The new version of the NTAG203 with better range and speed. Besides the enhanced performance, its memory is slightly bigger at 144 bytes, and it’s reasonably priced.

NTAG215 – This NFC chip has a 504-byte memory ideal for encoding with V-cards or additional data. It comes with password protection, a common feature in all NTAG21x.

NTAG216 – An NFC chip with the highest capacity at 888 bytes for metal business cards with full V-card data. It’s fast but costs significantly higher than other NFC chips.

If you don’t require maximum compatibility, consider NXP Mifare chips. Here are the different types you can find today:

Mifare Classic – Use this 716-byte chip only if you’re already using a Mifare-based protocol system, or if your tags won’t be used by the general public. It supports encryption and is compatible only with newer iOS and Android smartphones.

Mifare Ultralight – A chip that works with Android and iOS devices. It is more advanced than the classic version, but with limited memory of around 46 bytes. That makes it practical for short text strings or links. Be sure to get NFC chips from reputable sources, so you’re assured of their quality and authenticity. Some companies also customise your metal card with the NFC chip of your choice.

How Secure is NFC Technology?

NFC tags have become pretty common these days. They are now widely used to make payments, provide door access, and other applications that concern personal data or assets. 

Given all these developments, you may be wondering: Is it really safe to use NFC technology? If so, then how does it guarantee security? 

Understanding NFC

NFC or near field communication is a type of radio communication standard like RFID. You can also compare it with other networking technologies such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. 

NFC works at a lower speed than RFID and can only operate within a 4-centimeter range. It may sound like a big flaw for NFC, but this is exactly what makes it more secure than RFID. 

Why NFC is safe

Security experts say that NFC’s short-range helps ensure secure communication between devices. It prevents hackers from getting in the way during the transfer or exchange of information. For the attack to happen, the hackers have to be very close to the device. They would have to brush up against unsuspecting people to hack or manipulate their data, and this can be difficult to do without the victim noticing. 

Another characteristic that makes NFC technology secure is its sensitivity. You often need to tap an NFC tag at the right angle for it to function. If the angle of the phone is just slightly off, it won’t read the tag. This means that for a hacker to intercept the data transfer, he needs to be close to the tag and ensure that the hacking device is precisely at the right angle.

NFC tags also ensure secure data transfer through encryption, which is a process of converting plain text into ciphertext. This way, the information is converted into a secret code and hides the message’s true meaning from unauthorised persons. 

Benefits of NFC Contactless Cards Post-Pandemic

NFC contactless cards have seen a remarkable increase in popularity in the recent years. The pandemic is one of the major driving factors that increased its usage and availability in the market. 

But what is NFC? It is the technology behind these smart cards and it stands for ‘Near Field Communication.’Think of it as the upgraded version of the RFID. It can be compared to Bluetooth technology as well. However, with NFC, the pairing of devices is not a requirement. NFC contactless cards automatically transfer data to an NFC-enabled device like a smartphone. They are passive, which means they don’t need the power to function. But unlike RFID that is capable of transmitting data beyond a few meters, NFC can only do so within a 4-inch range! 

NFC contactless cards are popular today because they provide a safe way to transact and interact. With these cards, people can exchange data wirelessly at a safe distance. Thus, there is a low risk of exposure to viruses and infection. 

Nevertheless, the use of NFC contactless cards in the post-pandemic world is expected to continue to increase. That’s because people have already experienced the benefits or convenience of NFC technology. Establishments will continue to use cashless payments and contactless transactions for the peace of mind of their consumers. 

There are many kinds of NFC contactless cards, the most popular being credit and debit cards. Have you ever been asked by a cashier to just tap your car in their POS terminal or card reader? If you are wondering how payment is processed that way, that’s because of the NFC chip embedded on your card. There’s need to swipe and key in your passcode to complete a payment transaction. 

Another type of NFC contactless card is a smart business card. Professionals are switching to these cards because they are more cost-effective. The card stores personal information and links. With just a tap, you can share your data or automatically redirect people to your professional profile, social media accounts, or website! 

Thinking Which NFC Tag Type is Best for Your Product?

It takes the right NFC tag type to meet all your goals. So before you start buying NFC tags, you need to know which type is the most suitable one for your product. Where do you start? Here are some things to keep in mind to help you make the best decision:

Compatibility is the key

NFC tags are passive, which basically means that they don’t have any power source. They will only function when an NFC-enabled device reads them. According to the latest statistics, the majority of NFC-enabled devices are smartphones. So if you are integrating NFC technology into your products, you need to select an NFC tag type that can be read by smartphones.

If you need the NFC tags to be compatible with all NFC-enabled smartphones as well as tablets, then choose an NTAG chip. If it doesn’t have to be compatible with all devices, you can consider Mifare Classic 1k and Ultralight.

Consider memory capacity

NTAG chips come in different types, namely,  NTAG213, NTAG215 and NTAG216. These types vary in many ways but you can easily classify them according to their memory capacity. It is important to consider memory capacity, especially if you are going to write long URLs or include a lot of data.  NTAG213 has the smallest user memory, having only 144 bytes.

NTAG216 has the biggest user memory with 888 bytes. This makes it a great choice for business cards. Ultralight also has small memory storage, which is 46 bytes. Like NTAG210, it is only recommended for short links or for short text strings.

See if you need password protection

Certain NFC tag types have password protection. This feature will essentially restrict access. If the stickers are going to be accessed by the general public, it might be a good idea to protect them so that hackers can’t change their content.

Where to Find the Best Quality NFC Stickers in the UK?

NFC stickers are also known as NFC tags. They are self-adhesive stickers that are embedded with NFC chips. They can be used for a wide range of applications be it at the home, office, or in the car. And the best thing is they can turn almost anything into a smart object. Here are some amazing examples:

Promotional items and merchandise

Businesses are harnessing the power of NFC stickers by using them to add twists to their conventional promotional items and merchandises. For example, a sports brand can share exclusive content to fans by adding NFC stickers on their shirts. Those who buy those shirts can then scan the NFC-enabled logo to access the exclusive playlist and enter the raffle!

Product descriptions

Instead of putting a lengthy product description on the tag, some businesses opt to attach NFC stickers to their products. In fact, one whisky producer thought of a creative way to provide tasting notes and other such details. They created a website that contains this information, and to access the site, their customers just have to tap the NFC-enabled tags. They result?

Their customer engagement and social media following increased significantly.

Where can you find these cool NFC stickers in the UK?

From online stores!

Here are some tips on buying them online:

1. Buy from dedicated NFC stores.

NFC stickers are easily available in huge online marketplaces. But if you are after quality stickers, buy from dedicated stores that specialise in NFC products.

2. Check the type of chip you’re buying.

There are different types of NFC chips embedded in tags or stickers. The main differences between them are their memory sizes, storage capacities, applications, and of course, prices.

3. Consider the colour.

NFC stickers come in different colours, including clear. Some shops can customise the stickers for you. They can print your artwork on your stickers so that they look unique.

Want to Know About NFC Tag Types?

Most people are familiar with the NFC stickers and their uses, but what they don’t know is that these stickers are actually classified into NFC tag types. There are four types of tags categorised based on ISO 14443 Types A and B and the Sony FeliCa system. Each varies in terms of functionalities, speed, and memory capacity. If you want to buy NFC stickers for particular tasks, you need to consider the right NFC tag type!

Type 1 – ISO14443A

The NFC tag type 1 is the simplest among the five. It has a speed of 106 kbit/s. Though it is the slowest chip, it offers the advantage of being inexpensive. It only has 96 bytes to 2 kbytes of memory, which is enough to store a small amount of data like a website URL. It is typically used for business cards, one-time provisioning, and read-only applications.

Type 2 – ISO14443A

This type is the most popular because it provides enough functionality and can be used for different applications. Like the first type, it is also read and rewrite capable. Users can configure the NFC type 2 tag to become read-only. Its memory size is between 48 bytes to 2 kbytes. Its speed is quite faster than type 1. Type 2 is often used for URL redirects, event tickets, and day transit passes.

Type 3 – Sony FeliCa system

Type 3 starts at 2 kbytesof memory capacity and goes up from there. Its data communications speed is 212 kbit/s. Because of this, type 3 is more expensive than the first two. It is more capable and more reliable, so it’s widely used for making e-tickets, electronic IDs, membership cards, healthcare devices, and home electronics.

Type 4 – ISO14443A and B

NFC tag type 4 is the most flexible of all the tags. It also has the biggest memory capacity at which is 32 kbytes. Its speed reaches up to 424 kbit/s. Consequently, it is the most expensive type. The most important feature of the type 4 tag is security, so it is used for authentications.

Which One is the Best Ntag215 or Ntag213?

Ntag213 and Ntag215 come from the same family of Ntag chips. Both were developed by NXP Semiconductors, and both are designed according to the standards of the NFC Forum Type 2 Tag and ISO/IEC14443 Type A specifications. Both have similar scan strengths, data transfer rate, input capacitance, and data retention. But while they seem to be similar, they are not exactly same.

Most people think that the only difference between the two is their memory size or storage capacity. Ntag213 has 144 bytes while Ntag215 has 504 bytes. The truth is that these two chips have more differences in terms of features and applications. And these are the things that you must consider in order to choose the best chip for you.

Ntag213 advantages

• More affordable than Ntag215 – If you are looking for cheap chips for simple applications and tasks, then this chip will be good enough.
• Easily available – Ntag213 is more common than Ntag215. You can easily find and buy them in many marketplaces.
• Great for typical NFC tag uses – If you are making NFC-enabled flyers for marketing or vouchers, it will be more practical to use this chip.

Ntag215 advantages

• Longer URLs – Having a bigger memory, this chip have can store up to 488 URL characters. This is more than three times bigger than the max URL characters allowed by Ntag213, which is 136. Ntag215 is perfect for applications that require very long tracking URLs.
• The only NFC chip that can be used for creating your very own Amiibo – Amiibo is a toys-to-life figure or platform by Nintendo. If you are into games and you want to have a cheaper Amiibo that still help you unlock cool in-game extras, you need Ntag215 chips.
• Applications – Aside from creating Amiibo, Ntag215 chips are also used for creating v-cards or virtual contact file, object identification, and vouchers as well.

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NFC Guide: Everything You Need to Know About NFC Contactless Tags and Stickers

There’s a big chance that you’ve heard of NFC, but you don’t exactly know what it does. NFC or Near Field Communication is actually used almost everywhere — the food industry, public transportation, and even digital media. Do you want to learn more about NFC? Here is a brief guide on the popular wireless technology:

You’ll find NFC contactless technology the most in NFC tags. A tag is made up of two parts: a chip and an antenna. The chip contains a tiny bit of memory that allows it to communicate with other NFC-enabled devices through the antenna.

Tags are embedded in various NFC products in the UK. Many businesses use these products for advertising since they can include information such as location and contact details on the chip. Some of the most common products are stickers, calling cards, and flyers.

Stickers are undoubtedly the most affordable and convenient form of NFC tags. Business owners can design stickers with their logos, choose an adhesive, and customise the label material. There are even add-ons available depending on what you need: data encoding, UID reading, and special packing are all sought-after options.

Leading manufacturers for NFC products in the UK also offer customised NFC items. There’s no limit to where you can implement NFC contactless technology. Products can range from key fobs to colourful wristbands.

Near Field Communication is a useful technology that rivals the likes of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Thanks to modern techniques, NFC chips don’t require a major power source or a phone network to function. This contactless technology is the perfect bridge between the physical and digital worlds, helping businesses communicate directly with their consumers.

Need an efficient NFC product in the UK for your business? Don’t worry. Some top-rated providers offer excellent quality NFC tags and stickers for an affordable price.

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NFC Guide: Everything You Need to Know About NFC Contactless Tags and Stickers

What Is an NFC Encoder?

An NFC encoder may pertain to two different but related things. One is the hardware used to print and encode NFC labels, often used by big companies to produce their own NFC labels, cards, or IDs with custom designs. The other NFC encoder is a type of software or mobile application used to write on programmable NFC products such as tags, key fobs, cards, and wristbands.

How to use an NFC printer and encoder

Generally, there are two types of NFC printers and encoders in the market: single-sided and one that operates on both sides or dual-sided. Simply put single-sided units can only print on the front part of a card or tag while the dual-sided units can print on both sides. The process of printing and encoding is the same for both types.

First, you need to load a stack of NFC PVC cards or stickers into the printer. Then, using a computer, launch the software that comes with the printer to enable smart label printing. After that, insert any kind of data that you want to encode in the NFC chip. It can be a mobile number, a link to a website, or a video online. Next, select the custom label or design. Lastly, select ‘print.’ Big companies use NFC encoder printer in many ways. Some use it to create NFC business cards, IDs, and marketing tags in retail stores.

If you are planning to buy an NFC encoder printer for your business, consider the features and the brand carefully. Make sure that the unit is able to meet your demands. This is especially true if you are printing a high volume of NFC labels every day. The resolution and print method also matters as they affect the quality of the print.

How to use the NFC encoder app?

Applications that allow you to read and write on NFC tags are widely available. You can easily download them on your NFC enabled smartphone. The process of writing is pretty much the same for every application; perhaps the only difference is the kind of data they can encode. To write on an NFC tag using an app, click ‘make a new tag’ then select actions or tasks from the list. After that, activate the tag. Lastly, check if the tag is working by tapping your phone on it.

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What Is an NFC Encoder?

What is The Future of NFC in the Post-Pandemic World?

NFC contactless technology is nothing new. It has been considered essential in various industries for many years now. The pandemic has also revealed just how important NFC technology is in providing safer, faster, and more secure ways for businesses to operate. Currently, businesses use NFC tags and NFC-enabled devices not only for payments but for other activities as well such as disseminating health protocols, reminding people of social distancing, providing relevant information, contact tracing, and marketing.

Although the countries around the world are lifting lockdown regulations and easing restrictions, there is no denying that we’re headed for a new normal—and that NFC contactless technology will play a vital role in our future. Experts believe that pandemic will propel the adoption of NFC tags and devices post-pandemic. Here’s how NFC-based solutions will be part of the new normal for businesses:

Digital menus  

Aside from mobile payments, restaurants are also going to implement digital menus. Their customers can scan the NFC tag with their NFC-enabled phones to access the menu at the same time, order their food.

Payment hubs

Banks and other enterprises will start using NFC-enabled hubs to collect payments from their clients and customers. Consumers can pay and make transactions at payment hubs without having to personally and be physically present at the banks or business premises.

Consumer packaging goods

Post-pandemic, consumers are still going to be extra vigilant with the things they buy. They will be on the lookout for products that are adhering to strict hygiene standards. Companies and brands are expected to start using NFC tags to deliver useful information to customers, such as where they source their ingredients and how their products are prepared.

NFC tags prove that adopting contactless solutions doesn’t have to be expensive. So, if you own a business and you want to ensure your customers of their safety, it’s time to use NFC tags. If you only need them for cashless or contactless payments and to prompt other simple tasks, then ntag213 tags might be enough. They have sufficient memory and reliable reading speed. More importantly, ntag213 tags are affordable.

Source URL: https://nfctagify.com/what-is-the-future-of-nfc-in-the-post-pandemic-world/