Printing RFID Labels In-House vs. Outsourcing: Which Is Better for Retailers?

Why wait for someone else to print your RFID stickers when you can do it yourself, on demand?

For years, printing RFID labels in-house felt too hard. Most retailers sent the work to outside print shops instead. These service bureaus delivered ready-to-use labels, and retailers didn’t have to deal with the details.

But there was a tradeoff. When products came back as returns, or when tags got lost or applied wrong, there was no quick fix. You had to order more labels and wait. That delay meant gaps in tagging, lower accuracy, and wasted time.

Today, the tools have changed. New software and printers make in-house printing easier than ever. Let’s compare the two options.

The Downsides of Outsourcing RFID Labels

At first, outsourcing looks simple. Labels show up, and you just stick them on. But problems appear fast:

• Returns need new tags, but you don’t have them on hand. 
• Lost or damaged tags leave products unmarked. 
• Inventory gaps build up when every product isn’t tagged. 

Outsourcing may save time up front, but it slows you down when you need speed and accuracy the most.

Why In-House Printing Used to Be So Hard

Retailers often avoided in-house printing because it was complicated. Here’s why:

• UPC Barcodes — Many didn’t know how to get a GS1 prefix or create product codes. 
• RFID Format — Encoding the right numbers (SGTINs) was confusing. 
• Serial Numbers — Without software, duplicates were common. 
• Approval Process — Submitting labels for approval felt overwhelming. 
• Choosing the Right Tags — Each product type had its own rules, and it was easy to get it wrong. 
• Printer Problems — Calibrations and misprints scared teams away. 

Given all that, outsourcing seemed safer.

How Technology Changed the Game

 

Now, things are different. Modern RFID tools solve most of the old problems:

• Product Codes — Software helps you set up GS1 prefixes and UPCs. 
• RFID Encoding — Handled in the background, no special knowledge needed. 
• Serial Numbers — Software manages them automatically. 
• Approval — A quick online form makes compliance easier. 
• Approved Tags — Easy to buy from trusted partners. 
• Printers — User-friendly and guided by software, not endless calibrations. 

What used to take experts now takes just a few clicks.

Why In-House Printing Makes Sense Today

Printing your own RFID labels gives you:

• Speed — Print on demand whenever you need them. 
• Accuracy — Every product can be tagged right away. 
• Cost Savings — Avoid paying extra to service bureaus. 
• Control — No waiting on outside companies. 

Some retailers even use a hybrid approach: service bureaus for big jobs, in-house printing for daily needs.

The Future of RFID Labeling

Outsourcing worked when printing was too complex. Today, in-house printing is simple, affordable, and reliable. More control means better accuracy, faster operations, and less stress.

When every product is tagged correctly, you can finally trust your inventory and focus on growth.

Next Steps for Retailers

Ready to explore in-house RFID printing?

👉 Watch a demo to see the process in action.
👉 Download the Inventory Audit Kit to check your current accuracy.
👉 Grab the GS1 Compliance Guide for all the steps, forms, and links you need to become GS1 compliant.
👉 Book a discovery call to explore how Simple RFID can streamline your labeling strategy.