RFID workshop hailed a “huge success”

Mark Andy says that more than 70 participants from around Europe attended its recent Smart Labels: RFID Technology Workshop in Poland, hailing the event as a “huge success”.

The event, held in cooperation with RFID experts Talkin’ Things, was held at Mark Andy’s European Technology Center in Warsaw, bringing together label and packaging manufacturers, label converters, brand owners, and those responsible for logistics and supply chain management.  

Participants explored the latest trends in RFID technology and saw its practical implementation first-hand. There was also a visit to the Talkin’ Things manufacturing facility, where RFID tags are produced, and a live demonstration of a Mark Andy Evolution Series E5 flexo press applying RFID tags as part of a single label printing workflow.

Mark Andy said the workshop focused on the practical development of RFID technology and its growing role in the label and packaging industry, highlighting key market trends, including the increasing importance of product identification, automation of logistics processes, and regulatory developments such as the Digital Product Passport initiative.

With RFID technology being used across a wide range of applications, and new regulations related to product traceability accelerating the adoption of smart labels as a core component of modern supply chain infrastructure, the integration of RFID technology into label production processes is becoming increasingly important, said Mark Andy.

Jacek Terski, sales & business development director at Talkin’ Things, gave a presentation focused on the design and manufacture of RFID tags. The company develops solutions used in retail, logistics, and industrial applications, with a portfolio that includes more than 80 RFID antenna designs as well as numerous solutions developed for specific applications.

To illustrate the process, participants were invited to visit the Talkin’ Things manufacturing facility in Warsaw, where they explored the full RFID tag production process – from design and prototyping to manufacturing and testing carried out in the company’s laboratory and quality control department.  The facility produces hundreds of millions of RFID and NFC tags annually for customers across multiple industries.

Back at the Mark Andy European Technology Center, flexo-printed labels were produced on an Evolution Series E5 press, with an RFID tag application integrated, showing how RFID technology can be integrated into label production without affecting print efficiency or quality.  

Tom Cavalco, vice president for International Sales at Mark Andy, commented: “One of the key conclusions from the discussions was the growing role of RFID technology as a tool supporting product traceability, process automation and new models of consumer interaction. The event also demonstrated that development of ‘smart labeling’ requires cooperation across the value chain – from RFID tag manufacturers and printing technology providers to companies implementing labels in real business applications.”