Find out more about digital tags and explore a few tips on how to use them well.
NFC tags
NFC tag is a small memory chip, attached to the antenna. NFC reader (for example a mobile phone) activates the antenna and the chip with its electric field. That leads to the content being transferred from the chip to the reader, activating the function specified in the tag. This can be for example a phone call to a defined number. The NFC phone activates the tag, creates a so called “NFC touch”, from a 1 to 5 cm distance.
Please find more information on NFC technology and the tags from the links below:
NFC Forum: http://nfc-forum.org/
NFC Forum/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC50tHLKck0r9gH2F-8bcogg
NFCTags.com: http://www.nfctags.com/
Tips to use the NFC:
- NFC on metal – NFC tags do not work if they are placed directly on metal. There needs to be some material, for example ferrite, to insulate the metal from the tag. The tags can also be lifted from the surface (about 1 cm) with plastic or other non-conducting materials to ensure the insulation.
- Lift the tag from the surface – A tag should be lifted 0,5 – 1 cm from a flat surface, to assure that holding the mobile phone, while reading the tag, is as easy as possible.
- The NFC symbol – A visual symbol of NFC, the word “NFC” as well as a suggestion to read the tag with a smart phone should be attached next to the tag. The NFC technology is currently rather unknown and only a few users know how to utilize the tags. When getting familiar with the NFC usage, it are considered even easier to use than QR codes.
- Recommended tags – There are various RFID/NFC tag types in the market. All of them have different features for example the size of the memory. The table below clarifies which are recommended by Bonwal.
QR codes
QR code (Two Dimension Code (”2D code”) is a visual matrix bar code that can be read with a device. These devices need to be based on the elements of a camera, laser cells or the measurement of luminous intensity. Almost all of the smart phones equipped with a camera can read these codes. Additional applications are commonly needed to read the codes. It is possible to include maximum 7 000 characters into the QR codes. However the recommended amount of characters is less than 40 characters. See the tips below for clarification.
Please find more information on QR codes from the links below:
QRcode.com: http://www.qrcode.com/en/
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code
Tips to use the QR codes:
- Amount of content in QR codes – The more information the code itself holds, the smaller the actual pixels are to read. The optimal amount of characters inside the code is approximately 40. Tag Manager minimizes the amount of characters used and increases the readability of the code.
- The actual size – The code’s visual size affects the readability. The reading distance is normally 10 times the size of the code. However according to the QR code reader applications the code should be minimal 2 x 2cm, which means that the minimum reading distance is 20 cm. If a code is for example 8 x 8 cm, the reading distance is up to 60 – 80 cm. It is important to always test the actual code and its readability in the final location before final printing.
- Margin outside the codes – There should always be a margin around the code to separate it from the colors and the pictures in the background. (See the QR code above). A recommendable margin is 10 % of the actual code’s full size.
- Several codes – Several codes should not be placed too close to each other. This might cause the reader to choose a code coincidentally.
- Outdoors and lightning – The reflection of the light on the code’s surface might make it more difficult to read the code. Therefore the code should be matt surfaced when placed outdoors or in places where there are several light sources.