The Synergy of RFID and barcodes: How Dual Authentication Works​

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and barcodes represent two cornerstone identification technologies, each with its distinct strengths. RFID leverages electromagnetic fields for contactless data transmission between a microchip-embedded tag and a reader, enabling remote, batch information capture. Barcodes, by contrast, encode data in visual patterns (1D lines or 2D grids) that require optical scanning but excel in simplicity and cost-effectiveness. Each of them has its unique advantage.

A plastic gift cards with barcode integrates the advantages of RFID and barcode technologies on a single card: the RFID chip stores encrypted data (e.g., balance, user permissions) with Arm CryptoCell-level security, while the barcode serves as a visible, verifiable backup. This dual-layer design creates a "fail-safe" authentication system. Three Core Advantages of Dual Authentication are as following:

1. Unmatched Security & Anti-Fraud Protection

RFID' s encrypted data storage prevents unauthorized tampering—a critical upgrade from barcodes' easily replicable visual data. For example, in retail gift card scenarios, the RFID chip' s unique ID binds to transaction records, while the barcode allows in-store verification. This combination has reduced fraud incidents by 92% for shops' e-commerce clients.

2. Enhanced Reliability Across Scenarios

Environmental factors often disrupt single-technology systems. For example,  water damage obscures barcodes, while metal interference can block RFID signals. A plastic gift cards with barcode eliminates downtime: warehouses use RFID for bulk inventory checks (scanning 200+ cards/second ), while cashiers rely on barcodes for precise checkout. They complement each other. A logistics client reported 99.7% data capture success even in humid shipping containers.

3. Cost-Effective Operational Efficiency

Businesses avoid overhauling existing infrastructure by using barcode scanners for daily operations while adopting RFID for advanced tracking. A fashion retailer using plastic gift cards with barcode reduced inventory audit time by 78%—RFID handles stocktaking, barcodes manage point-of-sale transactions. This phased upgrade cuts equipment costs by 40% compared to full RFID migration.

Choose Zhanfeng: 20 Years of Smart Card Expertise

As a source manufacturer with two decades of experience, Zhanfeng integrates industry-leading technology into every plastic gift cards with barcode. The following are our advantages:

Proven Quality: Our cards pass 100,000+ read/write cycles and IP67 waterproof testing.

Global Reach: Trusted by 500+ clients across retail, logistics, and hospitality worldwide.

Risk-Free Trial: We offer free samples (freight collect) with your custom barcode-RFID configuration. The shipping cost will be fully refunded upon bulk order placement.

If you are ready to elevate your security and efficiency, you can contact Zhanfeng team today to claim your sample and customize a solution tailored to your business needs.