System and method including partial pre-programming of RFID data

A method of affixing a radio frequency identification (RFID) label to an item comprising:

• at a pre-programming station, partially pre-programming a supply of RFID labels each comprising a plurality of programmable bits,
• the labels removably affixed to a web of material wound on a supply roll,
• the pre-programming station being in communication with an integrated programmer/label applicator apparatus,
• the pre-programming station being different from the integrated programmer/label applicator apparatus,
• wherein the step of partially pre-programming the labels comprises:
• programming a first portion of said programmable bits with data that is common to each of a plurality of items to receive a label;
• detecting defective labels by reading the pre-programmed labels to determine if at least the first portion of programmable bits were properly programmed;
• identifying the location of a defective label relative to its position on the web and the pre-programming station;
• and
• sending a signal to the integrated RFID programmer/label applicator apparatus indicating the position of the defective label on the web;
• and
• drawing the pre-programmed RFID labels from the pre-programming station into the integrated RFID programmer/label applicator apparatus from the continuous roll supply,
• the integrated RFID programmer/label applicator determining whether a signal was received from the pre-programming station indicating that a pre-programmed label at a specified location on the web was defective;
• and
• when the signal did not indicate that the label was defective, the integrated RFID programmer/label apparatus performing the steps of:
• programming item-specific data into a second portion of the programmable bits of the label to provide an item-specific label;
• removing said item-specific label from the web;
• and
• applying said item-specific label to an associated item.