Wet Inlay vs Dry Inlay vs NFC Sticker
Wet inlay, dry inlay and NFC sticker are three ways NFC chips are supplied for adding NFC to other products. They contain the same kind of chip and antenna, and differ in how they are finished. Here is when to use each.
Wet inlay vs dry inlay vs NFC sticker
| Wet inlay | Dry inlay | NFC sticker | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adhesive back | Yes, on a release liner | No | Yes |
| Finished face | Bare, goes under a label or print | Bare, laminated into a product | Printed or plain face, ready to use |
| Used by | Printers, packaging and label makers | Card and label manufacturers | Anyone applying NFC to an object |
| Typical uses | Under labels, on packaging, behind posters | Inside PVC cards and paper products | Phones, counters, products |
What is a wet inlay?
A wet inlay is an NFC chip and antenna on a thin film with adhesive on one side. You peel it off the liner and stick it under a label, on packaging or behind a poster. See our NFC wet inlay (NTAG213, 25 mm).
What is a dry inlay?
A dry inlay is the same chip and antenna without adhesive. Manufacturers laminate it inside cards, tickets and labels during production. It is not something most businesses apply by hand.
What is an NFC sticker?
An NFC sticker is a finished piece with a printable face and an adhesive back, ready to stick on a phone, counter or product. See our NTAG215 NFC sticker (25 mm).
Which one should you buy?
- Adding NFC to your own packaging or labels? Buy wet inlays.
- Making NFC cards or tickets? Dry inlays are used in manufacturing. For most buyers, ready-made blank NFC cards are simpler.
- Need a finished item to apply? Buy NFC stickers.
- Applying it to metal? Use anti-metal stickers or tags. Wet inlays and normal stickers do not read on metal.
Browse NFC stickers and wet inlays or compare chips in our NTAG guide.
