If you are organizing an event on a tight budget, you must look for ways to cut cost without negatively affecting your guests’ experiences. One smart move is using paper RFID wristbands for access control and cashless payments.
These smart wristbands are the most affordable in the market. They are made of a basic paper or a synthetic material called Tyvek.
But when do you choose them for your event? The answer depends entirely on what your event actually demands. This guide breaks it all down.
What Are Paper RFID Wristbands?
A paper RFID wristband is a disposable wristband made from paper or synthetic paper material, such as Tyvek. It is then embedded with an RFID inlay.
The inlay contains a chip and an antenna that function just like those in a fabric or silicone wristband. The difference is purely in the outer material.
Most paper RFID wristbands use a self-adhesive closure, making them single use and preventing ticket fraud significantly. Once worn and sealed, they cannot be removed and reattached without visible damage. Thus, they offer a reasonable security guarantee that guests will not transfer the wristband to other guests.
They are available with a range of chip options including:
- NTAG213 for basic NFC and smartphone interaction
- MIFARE Ultralight – best for cashless payment systems
If your goal is to manage access without complex features or premiumness, paper RFID wristbands will not disappoint. However, it must be a single-day event since they cannot be re-used.
What Are the Advantages of Paper RFID Wristbands?
There are many advantages of paper RFID wristbands for the right type of events:
- Cheap Price Per Piece. Paper RFID wristbands are the cheapest smart wristband option on the market. In the case of a big event when thousands of wristbands are given to the same-day attendees, paper RFID wristbands will provide substantial savings compared to other materials.
- Anti-Tampering Function. The adhesive closure system will show any attempts of removing the wristband, which is vital during ticketed events when sharing of the wristband means a loss of entrance fees.
- No encoding setup required on site. Like other RFID wristbands, paper bands can be pre-encoded by your supplier before delivery. Your team simply issues them at the gate without any additional programming.
- Lightweight and Comfortable. A paper wristband is highly comfortable if used on one occasion only. The guests will hardly feel the wristband on their wrist, which is what you need if the bracelet serves only as a token of identification.
- Environmentally Safe Disposal. The synthetic paper wristbands are much easier to get rid of than PVC or silicone ones. Moreover, there exist some types of these wristbands that can be recycled.
What Are the Limitations of Paper RFID Wristbands?
Paper RFID wristbands do come with their set of disadvantages. Knowing these limitations will prevent you from getting yourself into trouble when ordering the product.
Durability is Poor. Paper RFID wristbands are designed to last only for one day; thus, after days of use, it will absorb sweat, be wet from the rain, and start deteriorating. By the second day, it will be a problem for your guests.
Waterproof Capability is Minimal. While there are paper RFID wristbands which have some capability of being water-resistant because they are laminated or coated, they are definitely not waterproof. Thus, you should not be using them for any water-based activities such as swimming and/or water parks.
Not Fit for A Premium Guest Experience. Paper wristbands is cheap and basic. If your product or organization intends to promote itself as a high-end entity or hopes that the guest will keep the wristband as a memento, paper is definitely not the material for you.
Less Branding Space Available. The print quality on paper wristbands is adequate but cannot compare with the print on fabric or silicone wristbands. You can print only basic information such as the event name. Other intricate designs work better on fabric or silicone wristbands.
When Should You Choose Paper RFID Wristbands?
Paper RFID wristbands are the best choice in these scenarios:
- One-Day Events That Attract Lots of Participants. You can use them for an event such as a one-day seminar, exposition, fair, or open day. Here, thousands of wristbands can be issued instantly and economically.
- Events with tight budgets. If your wristband budget is limited and you need basic access control or a simple cashless payment system, paper RFID wristbands deliver the technology without the premium price tag.
- Events where durability is not a concern. If your guests will wear the wristband for a few hours and discard it at the end of the day, there is no reason to pay for the durability of silicone or fabric.
- Indoor or low-exposure environments. Conferences, trade shows, exhibitions, and indoor corporate events do not expose wristbands to the kind of physical wear that outdoor or multi-day events do. Paper RFID wristbands perform well in these controlled environments.
When Should You Choose Something Else?
If you have an event that lasts for multiple days, is associated with getting wet, serves a VIP crowd, or demands a wristband which functions as a giveaway item as well, then paper RFID wristbands are not ideal. Here is a brief guide on what to consider:
- For multiple-day events, go for fabric bands.
- For water-based parks or destinations, go for silicone or PVC.
- For VIP and premium brand activation events, go for fabric, silicone, or wood beads wristbands.
- For environmentally conscious events, recycled PET bands or bamboo bands are preferable.
Paper RFID wristbands are items to be used wisely, not blindly. They work great in specific cases, but miserably fail to serve their purpose in some instances. Choose wisely and have a fulfilling experience.
Conclusion
Paper RFID wristbands work well for many occasions, but not all. If you have an event that is one-day only, high-volume, budget-sensitive, and does not need premium quality or long-lasting items, paper RFID wristbands are definitely the way to go.
Contact us now and let us guide you through our paper RFID wristbands options. Will they be suitable for your event? We’ll let you know!
