--- title: "Tagging up or tapping out: NFC's on-pack future" description: "Tagging up or tapping out: NFC's on-pack future" image: https://www.pkgbranding.com/hs-fs/file-4101454083-jpg/blog-files/post-31584980-260x146.jpg --- [![PKG Packaging](https://www.pkgbranding.com/hubfs/PKG%20Jan20%20-%20assets/pkg-logo.png) ](https://www.pkgbranding.com/) [![Hangar12](https://www.pkgbranding.com/hubfs/Hanger%20Image/Hanger-12.webp) ](https://www.hangar-12.com/) [312.870.9101](tel:+1.312.870.9101) # Consumer First Insights ## Tagging up or tapping out: NFC's on-pack future Written by Kevin Keating at PKG Near field communications (NFC) has been touted as the next evolution of packaging and retail, but a number of changes must occur before this technology goes mainstream. ![post-31584980-260x146](https://www.pkgbranding.com/hs-fs/file-4101454083-jpg/blog-files/post-31584980-260x146.jpg?width=260&name=post-31584980-260x146.jpg)   With so much positive sentiment surrounding the pairing of near field communication (NFC) technology, NFC-enabled smart devices and packaging, the reality is that the talk is, well, mostly just talk. In nearly every conversation, enthusiasm and even promise is tempered with such comments as “pre-commercial” or “potential,” “expected shipments” or even “limitless in theory.” Yes, research firm IHS Technology, among others, is predicting that between 2018 and 2020, 1.2 billion NFC-enable smartphones will have been shipped to consumers. The key here is “shipped.” According to Enstream and BrandXMobile (BXM), somewhere between 38% and 42% of smartphones globally are currently NFC-enabled—more if you count Apple’s recent foray, which frustrated tech-savvy Apple users from the get-go because the NFC application was limited to payments with a proprietary app rather than an open platform that enabled information retrieval or provided a consumer experience. Read more from the source: [packagingdigest.com](http://www.packagingdigest.com/smart-packaging/tagging-up-or-tapping-out-nfcs-on-pack-future1507) - [Facebook Share ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pkgbranding.com%2Fblog%2Ftagging-up-or-tapping-out-nfc-s-on-pack-future%2F) - [Twitter Share ](https://twitter.com/home?status=Tagging+up+or+tapping+out%3A+NFC%27s+on-pack+future%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pkgbranding.com%2Fblog%2Ftagging-up-or-tapping-out-nfc-s-on-pack-future%2F) - [LinkedIn Share ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pkgbranding.com%2Fblog%2Ftagging-up-or-tapping-out-nfc-s-on-pack-future%2F&title=Tagging%20up%20or%20tapping%20out%3A%20NFC%27s%20on-pack%20future&summary=Tagging+up+or+tapping+out%3A+NFC%27s+on-pack+future&source=) - [Email Share ](mailto:?subject=Tagging%20up%20or%20tapping%20out%3A%20NFC%27s%20on-pack%20future&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pkgbranding.com%2Fblog%2Ftagging-up-or-tapping-out-nfc-s-on-pack-future%2F) ### Topics - [Blog](https://www.pkgbranding.com/blog/topic/blog) ### Related Posts [![How Multisensory Packaging Impacts Brand Loyalty](https://assets.seobotai.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=75,w=1536,h=1024/pkgbranding.com/699e3f7cefc60cc2af09b0fd-1771990125261.jpg) How Multisensory Packaging Impacts Brand Loyalty Kevin Keating at PKG ](https://www.pkgbranding.com/blog/multisensory-packaging-impacts-brand-loyalty) [![7 Emotional Triggers That Drive Packaging Success](https://assets.seobotai.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=75,w=1536,h=1024/pkgbranding.com/699d6a34efc60cc2af09912c-1771927424595.jpg) 7 Emotional Triggers That Drive Packaging Success Kevin Keating at PKG ](https://www.pkgbranding.com/blog/emotional-triggers-packaging-success) [![How Social Media Listening Improves Packaging Design](https://assets.seobotai.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=75,w=1536,h=1024/pkgbranding.com/699d5fe4efc60cc2af098e8a-1771924055807.jpg) How Social Media Listening Improves Packaging Design Kevin Keating at PKG ](https://www.pkgbranding.com/blog/social-media-listening-improves-packaging-design) ### Subscribe Now! ### Subscribe Now!     **Awarded Top 50** **Package Design ****Blog**   [![Packaging-Design-transparent_216px](https://blog-cdn.feedspot.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Packaging-Design-transparent_216px.png)](http://blog.feedspot.com/packaging_design_blogs/) - [How Multisensory Packaging Impacts Brand Loyalty](https://www.pkgbranding.com/blog/multisensory-packaging-impacts-brand-loyalty) - [7 Emotional Triggers That Drive Packaging Success](https://www.pkgbranding.com/blog/emotional-triggers-packaging-success) - [How Social Media Listening Improves Packaging Design](https://www.pkgbranding.com/blog/social-media-listening-improves-packaging-design) - [11 Examples of Functional Packaging Features](https://www.pkgbranding.com/blog/functional-packaging-features-examples) - [Competitor Analysis for Shelf Differentiation](https://www.pkgbranding.com/blog/competitor-analysis-for-shelf-differentiation) - [Typography Checklist for Packaging](https://www.pkgbranding.com/blog/typography-checklist-packaging) - [Top Biodegradable Packaging Myths Consumers Believe](https://www.pkgbranding.com/blog/biodegradable-packaging-myths-consumers-believe) - [Macro Photography for Food Packaging Design](https://www.pkgbranding.com/blog/macro-photography-food-packaging-design) - [Glass Packaging Benefits for CPG Brands](https://www.pkgbranding.com/blog/glass-packaging-benefits-cpg-brands) - [Pet Food Packaging: FDA Rules to Know](https://www.pkgbranding.com/blog/pet-food-packaging-fda-rules) ![Best package design agencies](https://www.pkgbranding.com/hubfs/badge-package-design-agencies.svg)   Recognized as a Top Package Design Agency on [DesignRush](https://www.designrush.com/agency/package-design) PKG BRAND DESIGN 2045 W Grand Ave, STE B-27332 Chicago, IL 60612-1576 [312.870.9101](tel:+1.312.870.9101) ![PKG Best Packaging Design Agency in Chicago](https://www.pkgbranding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-09-22%20at%2010.33.31%20PM.png?width=722&height=284&name=Screenshot%202025-09-22%20at%2010.33.31%20PM.png) [Request a Free Consultation](https://www.pkgbranding.com/request-a-consultation) [![A Hangar 12 Agency](https://www.pkgbranding.com/hubfs/assets/dev/img/a-hangar12-agency-logo-transparent.png)](https://www.hangar-12.com/) © 2026 PKG Brand Design. All Rights Reserved ![linkedin](https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=315946&fmt=gif) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Kevin Keating at PKG" }, "dateModified" : "December 31, 2024, 11:16:10 AM", "datePublished" : "2015-08-04 08:11:00", "description" : "Tagging up or tapping out: NFC's on-pack future", "headline" : "Tagging up or tapping out: NFC's on-pack future", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/537000/file-4101454083-jpg/blog-files/post-31584980-260x146.jpg" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/537000/PKG-1.png" }, "name" : "PKG Brand Design" } } ```