The Label Academy launches RFID book

Written by industry expert Andy Thomas-Emans, Strategic Director at LOUPE Global and edited by Chelsea McDougall, Editor of Labels & Labeling, RFID Fundamentals provides a practical, end-to-end overview of radio frequency identification (RFID) for label and package printing professionals.

The book explains how RFID works, how to specify the right label construction, the essentials of encoding and quality control, and the role of systems integrators - helping converters, suppliers and brand owners evaluate opportunities and implement projects with confidence. The guide is designed to bridge traditional label converting know-how with the evolving demands of connected packaging and data-driven supply chains.

Andy Thomas-Emans said: “We are all in agreement that RFID offers enormous opportunities for label and package printing converters to develop profitable new revenue streams, and this volume offers information that will hopefully be useful in making that investment decision. I would like to thank the contributors of Labelexpo Americas 2024 (now LOUPE Americas) RFID Masterclass for their generous help in providing information for this book and for their detailed comments on the finished text.

“I would also like to acknowledge Labels & Labeling founder Mike Fairley, who had the original vision for the Label Academy as a unique source of knowledge for narrow‑web label converters, and our friends at Finat and TLMI, who continue to encourage us on this journey.”

Contributor to RFID Fundamentals, Dr Vlad Sljapic, Strategic Partnerships Director, Watermill Press commented: “RFID is often presented as a purely technical challenge: inlays, frequencies, encoding standards. What RFID Fundamentals gets right is recognizing that the harder problem for converters is commercial, not technical. Understanding what different stakeholders inside a brand actually need from traceability, and how to have that conversation with each of them.

He continues: “Andy Thomas-Emans brings a rare combination of technical clarity and industry insight to this subject, distilling a complex and fast-moving field into something genuinely useful for converters at any stage of their RFID journey. It is a worthy addition to the Label Academy series and deserves a place on the shelf of anyone serious about the future of the label industry. A warm endorsement of another fine contribution from Andy to the industry we all love.”

RFID Fundamentals was made possible through sponsorship from Delta Modtech and is available to buy from Amazon now as well as on‑site at LOUPE Americas 2026 (formerly Labelexpo Americas) at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, from 15–17 September 2026.