4 × 8 antenna sheet
32 pictured positions
The antenna pattern and chip positions are visible before the outer card layers are added.
Request this layout reference →Card production components
HF RFID Card Inlays
13.56 MHz chip and antenna sheets
HF RFID card inlays combine a 13.56 MHz chip and antenna in a sheet for conversion into contactless cards. NTAG, MIFARE and ICODE designs serve different phone, access-control and ISO/IEC 15693 applications. Compare the chip interface and memory below, then select a sheet layout for your card production line.
- Frequency
- 13.56 MHz
- Chip references
- NTAG · MIFARE · ICODE
- Supply form
- Inlay / prelam sheets
Technical overview
The chip and the sheet are separate choices.
A chip determines the interface and memory. The antenna, sheet and card layers determine how that chip fits your production process.
- Operating frequency
- 13.56 MHz
- Reader interface
- ISO/IEC 14443 Type A or ISO/IEC 15693, according to the selected chip. See chip-by-chip differences.
- Pictured layouts
- 4 × 8 = 32 positions; 5 × 5 = 25 positions. View the reference sheets.
- COB stack example
- Three central layers total 0.45 mm; complete illustrated card 0.81 mm. Historical construction reference, not a current supply specification. See the dimensioned layers.
- Material & dimensions
- The quotation drawing identifies substrate, sheet size, individual antenna footprint, thickness and tolerances for the chosen design.
Chip specifications
Compare interface, memory and application.
These are NXP chip-level references. Your quotation identifies the supplied chip, sheet construction and production availability.
| Chip | Interface | Memory | Application fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NTAG213NXP datasheet ↗ | ISO/IEC 14443 Type A · NFC Forum Type 2 | 144 bytes user memoryRead/write area; NDEF formatting also occupies space. | NFC cards carrying a short web link or text record.Request NTAG213 quote → |
| NTAG215NXP datasheet ↗ | ISO/IEC 14443 Type A · NFC Forum Type 2 | 504 bytes user memoryRead/write area; NDEF formatting also occupies space. | NFC cards carrying a larger record or several small records.Request NTAG215 quote → |
| NTAG216NXP datasheet ↗ | ISO/IEC 14443 Type A · NFC Forum Type 2 | 888 bytes user memoryRead/write area; NDEF formatting also occupies space. | NFC cards with more information stored directly on the chip.Request NTAG216 quote → |
| MIFARE DESFire EV3NXP datasheet ↗ | ISO/IEC 14443 Type A, Parts 1–4 · NFC Forum Type 4 | 2 / 4 / 8 / 16 kB non-volatile memoryCapacity depends on the IC variant; files and application structure use this memory. | Access and multi-application credentials using a DESFire application.Request MIFARE DESFire EV3 quote → |
| MIFARE Classic EV1 1KNXP datasheet ↗ | ISO/IEC 14443 Type A activation · MIFARE Classic commands | 1 kB total EEPROM · 16 sectorsIncludes manufacturer data and sector trailers; 1 kB is not all application space. | Existing card systems designed for MIFARE Classic 1K.Request MIFARE Classic EV1 1K quote → |
| ICODE SLIX2NXP datasheet ↗ | ISO/IEC 15693 | 316 bytes user data · separate counter block80 × 4-byte blocks: 79 for user data and the final block for the counter function. | ISO/IEC 15693 cards for library, asset and document systems.Request ICODE SLIX2 quote → |
Memory figures describe different areas of each chip. NDEF formatting, application files and access-control data use part of the available space.
Sheet examples
See the antenna positions and layout.
These photographed sheets show two layouts. Position counts apply to the pictured examples; sheet dimensions, pitch and the exact chip are specified separately in the order drawing.
5 × 5 inlay sheet
25 pictured positions
The photo label reads “M1 inlay 5*5 format” and “25pcs (1 sheets)”. It identifies this photographed example.
Request this layout reference →More antenna and chip-connection photos
Construction reference
What sits inside a laminated HF card?
The antenna core and cover sheets become part of the completed card. This dimensioned example shows the difference between the inlay subtotal and the full card stack.
Schematic illustration; spacing and thickness are not to scale.
| Layer | mm |
|---|---|
| Front overlay | 0.06 |
| Front printing layer | 0.12 |
| Inlay top cover | 0.15 |
| Antenna core | 0.15 |
| Inlay bottom cover | 0.15 |
| Reverse printing layer | 0.12 |
| Reverse overlay | 0.06 |
| Inlay subtotal Sum of layers 3–5 | 0.45 |
| Complete card Total stated in the source | 0.81 |
COB = chip on board. The illustrated COB position is within the antenna-core area.
Source: ACT Trinnovation 2017-Q4 technical presentation, slide 21.
Historical reference example. These values describe the illustrated construction; they are not current RFIDAK supply specifications. Confirm the materials, layer stack and finished thickness on your project drawing before sampling.
Technical documents
Take the specifications to your engineering team.
The reference PDF contains the chip comparison, source links and the illustrated layer dimensions. Use an order-specific drawing for production dimensions and tolerances.
Download HF technical reference ↓PDF · version 15 September 2026 · technical reference
Original chip documentation
NTAG213 / NTAG215 / NTAG216 datasheet ↗NXP Semiconductors · NTAG213_215_216, Rev. 3.2, 2 June 2015MIFARE DESFire EV3 short datasheet ↗NXP Semiconductors · MF3D(H)x3, Rev. 3.1, 11 January 2024MIFARE Classic EV1 1K datasheet ↗NXP Semiconductors · MF1S50YYX_V1, Rev. 3.2, 23 May 2018ICODE SLIX2 datasheet ↗NXP Semiconductors · SL2S2602, Rev. 4.2, 1 December 2021Custom orders & samples
Request sheets for your card design.
Select the chip and layout you want to discuss. Add quantities, delivery destination and your drawing requirements on the next page.
Your quotation will state substrate, dimensions, tolerances, sample charges, MOQ and lead time. A layout reference is a starting point for the drawing.
Sample ordering terms →HF inlay questions
Which chip should I choose for an NFC link card?
NTAG213, NTAG215 and NTAG216 provide 144, 504 and 888 bytes of user memory respectively. A short web link commonly fits NTAG213; longer or multiple records need more space. NDEF formatting uses some memory. Test the encoded finished card on the phones your customers use.
What is the difference between inlay thickness and finished-card thickness?
Inlay thickness covers the antenna core and its cover layers. The complete card adds printing layers and overlays. In the sourced COB construction example, the three central layers total 0.45 mm and all seven layers total 0.81 mm. These are dimensions of that historical example, not a standard thickness for every order.
Can I replace MIFARE Classic with DESFire or ICODE?
These chips use different commands and application structures. ICODE SLIX2 uses ISO/IEC 15693; MIFARE Classic and DESFire use different application protocols within ISO/IEC 14443 Type A. Select a chip supported by the installed reader and software, including the credential data and personalization process.